Prop Holliday - Bobby Stanley
Show Bio
The 2023-2024 NBA season kicks off Tuesday, October 24, and the league has never been more talented. If you need more proof, look no further than the expansion discussions of adding two new teams as early as 2026 in Las Vegas and Seattle. There is alot to cover regarding the in-season tournament, teams taking a leap, and serious title contenders, but for this article, let’s focus on player awards!
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
Victor Wembanyama (+125)
Chet Holmgren (+320)
Scoot Henderson (+370)
Brandon Miller (+2800)
Cam Whitmore (+4000)
As much as I believe Wemby will wow us this year, there’s just no way I can bet him at +125 – especially with the risk of him sitting out due to injury. We simply have no idea how his body will hold up to an 82-game season against this level of competition. Holmgren is interesting, but is at best a 2nd or 3rd option on his own team. Scoot will have the ball in his hands alot this season and will make a ton of highlight reel plays that should build his campaign for this award early. I predict he will finish the season around 16 ppg and 7 apg and make the Trail Blazers a 30-win team. This should be enough to put him in the driver seat for this award.
NBA ROY Best Bet: Scoot Henderson (+370)
Defensive Player of the Year Odds
Jaren Jackson Jr (+600)
Evan Mobley (+750)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (+650)
Anthony Davis (+1000)
Bam Adebayo (+1200)
This award wreaks of Joel Embid MVP from last year. Adebayo and his camp have been verbally campaigning for this award the last two years and the biggest issue has been Bam not getting enough games to win awards. So far, Bam has been spotted trolling Jaren Jackson (2023 DPOY) on social media and is all in on this award. He’s even on record saying “So for me it’;s just that will, that passion, that mentality…I want to get Defensive Player of the Year just so I can the award”. At 12-1, it feels like a great price.
NBA DPOY Best Bet: Bam Adebayo (+1200)
NBA DPOY Longshot: Victor Wembanyama (+2000)
Sixth Man of the Year Odds
Normal Powell (+900)
Immanuel Quickley (+900)
Malik Monk (+1200)
Malcolm Brogdon (+1500)
Buddy Hield (+1500)
This is a backcourt dominated award historically and we will stay in that mindset when choosing our 6th Man of the Year. Malcolm Brogdon won it last season for the Boston Celtics averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
NBA 6MOY Best Bet: Malik Monk (+1200)
NBA 6MOY Longshot: Cam Thomas (+5000)
Most Improved Player of the Year Odds
Miles Bridges (+1000)
Tyrse Maxey (+1300)
Jordan Poole (+1400)
Cade Cunngingham (+1500)
Anfernee Simons (+1600)
When the Toronto Raptors make you “untouchable” in trades for Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard, you must be special. Barnes is heading into Year 3 and has grown again, now touting a 6’10 frame. I expect Pascal Siakam and/or OG Anunoby to be moved at some point this season, leaving Barnes as the lead guy in Toronto. Barnes will have to improve upon his 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game if he wants this award, but realistically, that will look like 20 ppg, 8 rpg and 6apg. If he can land on those numbers, Barnes would be in elite company. Only Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic posted those numbers last season, but Jayson Tatum and Giannis were not far off.
NBA MIP Best Bet: Scottie Barnes (+1600)
NBA MIP Longshot: Paolo Banchero (+5000)
Clutch Player of the Year Odds
Damian Lillard (+1000)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+1000)
Luka Doncic (+1200)
De’Aaron Fox (+1400)
Anthony Edwards (+1500)
This is a new award that De’Aaron Fox won last season as he led the NBA in “clutch-game scoring”. This is defined by the last 5 minutes of the 4Q or OT when the score is within 5 points. He won the award over Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan. Using this as a benchmark, I’m rolling with Anthony Edwards next season. He was ranked 11th in clutch scoring points and 3rd in clutch scoring FGA. After becoming the face of USA basketball in last summer’s FIBA World Cup, I like Edwards to make another leap in 2023-2024.
