NBA: January Awards

After the end-of-year celebrations have died down, NBA players attack the second half of the season with the goal for many players, of becoming an All-Star. It gave us some impressive individual performances in this first month of 2023 with some players blowing up the counters. Here are the NBA awards from our editorial staff for the month of January.

NB: statistics for the month of January has stopped at 30 Januarybefore the night’s matches of 31.

NBA MVP of the Month: Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

Statistics January 2023: 34,9 points, 10,7 rbd3,2 ast, 1.6 against, 1,0 blocking

Finally with 100% of his wealth, for his entire team, Joel Embiid sent a message to the entire NBA this month. Dominant, his rivalry against Nikola Jokic, the double MVP in the title marked spirits (47 pts and 18 rbds) and the Franco-Cameroonian pivot pretended to be a candidate for the title of MVP of the regular season (again you say ). With a surprising percentage on shots with nearly 55% success, the Sixers’ interior alternated between playing closer and closer to the circle, and imposing its law in the paint. All that’s left is to cross your fingers that injuries don’t slow him down!

Rookie of the month: Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)

Statistics January 2023: 20,1 points, 3,2 ass, 5,9 rbd, 0,3 against, 1,3 blocking

And 3 for Paolo Banchero! Already a Rookie of the month according to our editorial team in November after December, the Italian-American has achieved the triple! If there are many rookies often in the month of January (the famous rookie wall), this is not the case for the Orlando Magic player. If his shot management remains refined, as does his address (43% on shots, 33% on 3 pts), the future rookie of the year carries his Magic team carrying out a great campaign more in predictions. pre-season (20 wins for 31 losses). The future looks bright in Florida and if you look at the standings, the Magic are just 4 games away from clinching a play-in…

Defender of the Month: Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)

Statistics January 2023: 17,2 points, 7,5 rbd, 1,0 ass, 3,2 matches, 0,9 blocking

Also free from his injuries, Jaren Jackson Jr is the defensive soul of the Memphis Grizzlies. Patron of the franchise with the best defensive rating, Tennessee’s position 4 repels all opposing attempts near the circle (3.2 against). Always there to help out on defense, Jaren Jackson Jr is the boss of his Memphis team on this side of the field.

Sixth Man of the Month: Malcolm Brogdon (Detroit Pistons)

Statistics January 2023: 17,3 points, 4,9 rbd3,5 ast, 0,8 blocking

Arriving in the summer of 2022 in Massachusetts, Malcolm Brogdon quickly found his marks. Lining up for Marcus Smart on the Celtics, the former Pacer comes off the bench but often ends meetings. His composure and long distance ability spread defenses out and allowed Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to focus on their roles. A real added value for the Boston Celtics, the best record in the NBA!

Development of the month: Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)

Statistics January 2023: 28,5 points, 9,0 rbd, 1,3 ast, 0,7 against, 0,8 blocking

Did Lauri Markkanen launch his NBA career? The 2017 Draft No. 7 was highly anticipated and didn’t quite live up to expectations, either with the Bulls or the Cavs. But his European campaigns in Finland showed that the Finn is full of talent! In the continuation of his Eurobasket, the fleeing interior found in Jazz a frankness that allowed him to play with his qualities. Able to punish from close and distance, his mobility is rare for a 2m13. If he’s reminiscent of Dirk Nowitzki at times, Lauri Markkanen is having his career-best season, and a spot in the next All-Star is anything but utopian.

NBA Coach of the Month: Doc Rivers (Philadelphia 76ers)

Statistics January 2023: 11 wins – 3 defeats (total assessment of 32-17)

If Doc Rivers has haters, he is a very good coach. Finally able to work calmly with a full squad for the first time since the beginning of the season, the 2008 NBA champion coach has found the right balance in the attack between James Harden and Joel Embiid. The defense of the 76ers remains very strong, with players referred to several positions (PJ Tucker or even M.Thybulle) that need to be properly adjusted. Although the reality of the post-season will be the beginning of a new competition, we will see that with a full group, Doc Rivers can make the most of the quality of his players. Returning to the Celtics’ plight in the Eastern Conference, Doc Rivers is no longer known here.