Suns Players Finish Poorly in NBA Award Predictions
As of late, the Phoenix Suns haven't been strangers to team or individual success.
After a 64-win regular season, head coach Monty Williams was handed the league's Coach of the Year award. Forward Mikal Bridges nearly won Defensive Player of the Year (same with Cameron Johnson with the Sixth Man of the Year) and guard Devin Booker finished fourth in MVP voting.
That same talented core is back, and while it's tough to imagine Booker capturing the league's award for the most valuable player, there's no doubting plenty of Suns should find themselves in those conversations when the 2022-23 season concludes.
Unless you're ESPN.
Just a day after their regular season and postseason projections, ESPN released their NBA award predictions. The same criteria (first place: 5 points, second place: 3 points and third place: 1 point) was used from their other projections.
Here's how some Suns fell in the mix:
MVP
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: 43 points (33.3% first-place votes)
T-2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks: 40 points (22.2%)
T-2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: 40 points (33.3%)
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: 14 points
T-5. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers: 6 points (5.6%)
T-5. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies: 6 points (5.6%)
T-7. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: 4 points
T-7. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: 4 points
9. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 points
T-10. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: 1 point
T-10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers: 1 point
Here, Booker finishes ninth with just one third-place vote. Phoenix hasn't seen an MVP since Steve Nash won two back in the 2000's.
Coach of the Year
1. Ime Udoka, Boston Celtics: 50 points (38.9% of first-place votes)
2. Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers: 32 points (27.8%)
3. Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat: 16 points (11.1%)
4. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks: 13 points (5.6%)
5. Willie Green, New Orleans Pelicans: 12 points
6. Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves: 10 points (5.6%)
7. Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets: 6 points (5.6%)
T-8. Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers: 5 points (5.6%)
T-8. Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies: 5 points
T-8. Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers: 5 points
Others receiving votes: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors; Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee Bucks; Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns; Nate McMillan, Atlanta Hawks.
Admittedly so, it will be pretty tough for Phoenix to replicate their 64-win season once again, so the drop off does make sense for Williams. And, for what it's worth, no coach has ever won back to back COTY honors. But not even top ten?
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves: 43 points (27.8% first-place votes)
2. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat: 29 points (27.8%)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: 21 points (5.6%)
4. Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns: 19 points (16.7%)
5. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors: 10 points (5.6%)
T-6. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics: 9 points (5.6%)
T-6. Robert Williams III, Boston Celtics: 9 points
8. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: 8 points (5.6%)
9. Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets: 6 points (5.6%)
10. Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks: 4 points
The drop-off for the top finishers last season (Bridges and Smart) is somewhat considerable here, as Bridges only drops two spots while Smart falls to No. 6.
Sixth Man of the Year
1. Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors: 77 points (77.8% of first-place votes)
2. Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics: 22 points (16.7%)
3. John Wall, LA Clippers: 15 points (5.6%)
4. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat: 13 points
5. Cam Johnson, Phoenix Suns: 9 points
6. Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks: 6 points
7. Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks: 5 points
8. Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls: 4 points
T-9. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 points
T-9. Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies: 3 points
Johnson may not actually qualify for this award if Jae Crowder is traded, and there are some strong names ahead of him to snag those honors.
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