Prop Holliday - Bobby Stanley
Show Bio
The NBA Most Valuable Player award is one of the most prestigious in all of sports. It is a benchmark in debates for the greatest players of all-time and has seen back-to-back champions four times in the last 15 years. Does Joel Embiid have what it takes to add to that list? Nikola Jokic was finally able to be seen on a national level after the Finals run and his talent is undeniable. Luka Doncic is coming off of the FIBA World Cup tournament and will come into the season in the best shape of his career and Giannis Antetokounmpo is geared to make another Finals appearance. Let’s take a look at my favorite pick for NBA MVP along with a dark horse and a few other best bets to make for the NBA season!
NBA MVP
NBA MVP Best Bet: Luka Doncic (+600)
Line available on BetMGM Sportsbook at the time of publishing.
Luka is coming off an embarrassing season without a playoff appearance and will be in game shape early as we mentioned in the opening paragraph. Last season, he averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8 assists, but there were rumblings about his weight and offseason training regime. All of that has been put to rest as he is the lightest he’s ever been entering a season and highly motivated. Aside from what Luka can control, the Mavericks made a conscious effort to improve the roster this offseason and set themselves up for a playoff run in a deep Western Conference. Surrounding Luka with shooters is key, and they grabbed one of the better ones in the league this offseason in Seth Curry. Grant Williams was brought in via sign and trade from Boston for Reggie Bullock and brings championship experience along with physicality and a defensive-minded approach.
In the draft, Dallas brought in Dereck Lively out of Duke to protect the rim. Lively was the #1 HS prospect in the country heading into the 2021-2022 season before fitting in as a piece on the national title contender. Richaun Holmes comes over from Sacramento and can be a great rotational big. Lastly, resigning Kyrie Irving gives Luka Doncic someone to help him play off the ball and keep the offense from getting stale at times. If Luka can put up another 30-8-8 on a 50-win team, you’re looking at your 6th international MVP in the last 6 seasons.
NBA MVP Longshot: Anthony Edwards (+3300)
Line available on BetMGM Sportsbook at the time of publishing.
Dominating your peers and establishing yourself amongst the best players in the NBA during practice everyday has shown to have a positive impact the following season. Edwards was the clear cut leader for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup this past summer, while the team fell short of a championship, Edwards really set himself apart. The biggest thing for this to have a chance is that the Timberwolves need to make a jump and being the only team to give the champion Denver Nuggets a loss is a solid start. My hunch is that Karl-Anthony Towns is moved at some point before the deadline and allow newly extended Naz Reid to slide into that 4 slot. Moving KAT may prove difficult, but bringing in another wing player or shooter will really help Edwards excel.
In his brief career, Edwards has improved in the PPG column every season (19.3–>21.3–>24.6). He will need to be closer to 30ppg to be in consideration, but that’s certainly possible. The youngest MVP in league history is Derrick Rose at age 22 and Edwards won’t turn 23 until August. This is worth $5-$10 as I’m expecting big things from Edwards (1st team All-NBA?), but can the entire T-Wolves team bring it together.
Check out our NBA Finals best bets and more!
NBA Season Best Bets
Oklahoma City Thunder over 47.5 wins (+180)
Alternate line available on DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing.
The Thunder went from 24 wins in 2021 to 40 wins in 2022 and they are now primed to jump in to the top 4 in the Western Conference this season. The young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, and Jaylin Williams are all under 26 years old. On top of that, they’re getting back Chet Holmgren who missed his entire rookie season and has looked every bit the part of a former top-3 pick this preseason. If you factor in their youth, you can make the argument they are perfect for over performing in the regular season versus a more seasoned team that coasts and picks their spots.
The last thing that puts this over the edge for me is that OKC has more ammunition than any other team in the league to make a BIG swing at the trade deadline. I won’t run through their list of unprotected 1sts, protected firsts, seconds, and pick swaps, but take my word for it that a tanking team would be willing to sell off whatever assets they have left to get ahold of them. And that’s not factoring in if they would be willing to move Giddey or Dort to make a monumental trade. Either way, this is a great spot to plan an alternate line win total.
Orlando Magic to Participate in Play-In (+135)
Alternate line available on DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing.
This is for the Magic to land in the 7th-10th seed in the Eastern Conference. Right off the bat, I’m slotting in the Celtics, Bucks, Cavaliers, and Heat into the top 4. I have no clue what to expect from the 76ers until the Harden trade is done (LAC?), but let’s put them in as well. The Knicks will be competitive as well. Now that we have 6, the rest of the East is WIDE open. The Magic have a budding star in Paolo Banchero to go along with a cast of really interesting guys. Franz Wagner as a 6’9 wing has a lot of room to continuing improving upon his 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assist sophomore performance.
Lastly, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Cole Anthony and Joe Ingles round out the roster. I can see the Magic packaging a Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac + picks for additional 3-point shooting and veteran experience. Either way, this young Magic team put together a 6-game win streak in December before going 10-13 post-All Star break. There are glimpses, but they lacked consistency. I expect Paolo to make a jump and solidify himself as an All-Star in this league – we just need to see Franz Wagner and one more guy step up to get this team to where it needs to be.
