Oct 19, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Which Knicks players could be in the running for 2023 NBA Awards?
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks. (Photo by Petre Thomas/USA TODAY Sports)
Which Knicks can win the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award?
The current Vegas betting odds have Jalen Brunson (tied for fourth with Tyrese Maxey at +2000) and RJ Barrett (5th at +2200) among the leading candidates for the MIP Award. This should come as no surprise to Knicks fans, who surely expect big seasons from this duo.
Both players have solid cases based on their recent play. Barrett in his last 41 games of 2021-22 averaged 23.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from the field and 35.2% from three. Brunson put up 20.4 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 3.9 RPG shooting 49.3% from the field and 35% from deep in 17 regular season contests without Luka Doncic. And Brunson was even more impressive in the playoffs.
This duo is coming off of a fantastic preseason as well, so their stock is definitely rising. However, it won’t be easy, as you may have noticed how star-studded the MIP race will be if the betting odds have anything to say about it.
It is for this reason that I didn’t include Quentin Grimes or Obi Toppin on the list. Granted, those two both need a big minutes increase if they want to be at all competitive for this award. But even if the field wasn’t so stacked, they would still be overshadowed by Barrett and Brunson. Expect Vegas to be right about this one; I would be a bit surprised if neither Barrett nor Brunson finished in the top three of voting at the year’s end.
!["New](https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2022%2F10%2F19261659.jpeg")
Jalen Brunson</a> (tied for fourth with Tyrese Maxey at +2000) and RJ Barrett (5th at +2200) among the leading candidates for the MIP Award. This should come as no surprise to Knicks fans, who surely expect big seasons from this duo.</p>
<p>Both players have solid cases based on their recent play. Barrett in his last 41 games of 2021-22 averaged 23.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from the field and 35.2% from three. Brunson put up 20.4 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 3.9 RPG shooting 49.3% from the field and 35% from deep in 17 regular season contests without Luka Doncic. And Brunson was even more impressive in the playoffs.</p>
<p>This duo is coming off of <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/17/winners-losers-knicks-2022-preseason/">a fantastic preseason</a> as well, so their stock is definitely rising. However, it won’t be easy, as you may have noticed how star-studded the MIP race will be if the betting odds have anything to say about it.</p>
<p>It is for this reason that I didn’t include Quentin Grimes or Obi Toppin on the list. Granted, those two both need a big minutes increase if they want to be at all competitive for this award. But even if the field wasn’t so stacked, they would still be overshadowed by Barrett and Brunson. Expect Vegas to be right about this one; I would be a bit surprised if neither Barrett nor Brunson finished in the top three of voting at the year’s end.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> All-NBA Defense </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-134668" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F10%2F1430504723.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Mitchell Robinson" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/10/1430504723.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/10/1430504723-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Which Knicks can make the All-NBA Defensive Teams?</h3>
<p>We all know there are only two players that can accomplish this feat, and they’re Mitchell Robinson and RJ Barrett.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t be easy, but both players are more than capable. Robinson would have to overcome the likes of Rudy Gobert, Jarrett Allen, Robert Williams III, Joel Embiid, and others to gain center votes. Barrett would have the advantage since the forwards who make either the first or second team each year is a revolving door. But even so, RJ has to beat out guys like Mikal Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Bam Adebayo, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.</p>
<p>Yes, Bam mostly plays center, but he’s played enough minutes at power forward to qualify as a forward. Adebayo was named to the second team as a forward for 2021-22, and Bridges was named to the first team as a guard despite mostly playing small forward. The <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"https://www.nba.com/news/nba-2021-22-all-defensive-teams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">All-Defensive teams</a> are selected based on the top vote-getters, so Barrett and Robinson will have to be very convincing.</p>
<p>Robinson is much more likely to make one of the teams, I’ll admit. He has proven to be an incredible rim protector and anchor for many years now, and he has also been the anchor of some top defenses over the last two seasons. He needs to stay on the court and contribute to a top 5-10 defense to garner consideration.</p>
<p>As for Barrett, last year he showed that he can be a menace to some of the premier perimeter scorers in the league like Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum. He will need to be doing that on a nightly basis to put himself in the upper echelon of wing stoppers. Both players have the tools, so hopefully, they can harness them and come away with an accolade for it.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Sixth Man of the Year </a>
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<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2022/10/19176899.jpeg">!["New](https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2022%2F10%2F19176899.jpeg")
the great depth</a> that the team once again looks to possess in 2022-23.</p>
<p>Derrick Rose is probably the name that immediately comes to mind, as he is the best player on New York’s bench and he finished in third place for the award two seasons ago. However, if the preseason is any indication, then Rose will take a step back from being the main cog in the second unit’s engine. Immanuel Quickley has been on ball much more than in the past, and we all know how dangerous of a spark plug he can be. Consistency is all that is stopping Quickley from being one of the top bench scorers in the entire NBA.</p>
<p>Then there is Obi Toppin. We saw what Toppin was capable of with a larger share of minutes when he started in several games to end 2021-22. If Toppin finally gets the consistent 18-20 minutes a game that we have all been begging Tom Thibodeau for, then Toppin too can be a large scoring presence.</p>
<p>The most interesting scenario involves Evan Fournier. It is no secret that most Knicks fans think Quentin Grimes <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/20/knicks-players-running-2023-nba-awards/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/13/knicks-quentin-grimes-wise-response-evan-fournier-starting/">should be starting</a> over Fournier. I am one of those people, and I think Fournier being on the bench is helpful for a couple of reasons: 1). Because Fournier is capable of torching opposing bench units, and 2). Grimes primarily being a shooter in a starting role and being in for Fournier allows for the offense to flow better because Brunson, Barrett, and Randle already demand a large share of touches.</p>
<p>In my opinion, Fournier would be most likely to have the best shot at this award, but any of these Knicks can be in the running with a lengthy, productive season.</p>
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