With most of the league already playing game number 41, we have officially reached the halfway mark of a 2021-2022 NBA season that has taught us a lot. We learned that the Cavaliers all seven-foot front-court might be unstoppable, DeMar DeRozen was the best acquisition of the off-season, and so much more. A lot more could change on the back nine of an NBA season, so here are four mid-season predictions.
Dejounte Murray Will Win Most Improved Player
After tearing his ACL just months removed from receiving All-Defensive Second Team honors, Dejounte Murray ran with the torch passed to him by Tony Parker as the San Antonio’s floor general. The 25-year-old guard has spent the majority of his minutes at the one and before this season, averaging 3.6 assists per game for his career. Murray is currently averaging 9.0 assists per game alongside a career-high in points (18.3 PPG) rebounds (8.3 TRB) and steals (2.1) per game. If Dejounte Murray’s monstrous first half of the season is any indication of anything, it’s that he’ll be taking home the most improved player trophy if he keeps this up.
The Miami Heat at Full Strength Will Win The East
In the trenches of the NBA Playoffs, roster depth is what separates the haves and the have nots. The Miami Heat have one of the highest-scoring benches in the league and own the third seed in the Eastern Conference despite Bam Adebayo missing over a month with a broken hand and Jimmy Butler missing some time with an ankle injury. Miami’s bench mob has been carried by breakout performers like Caleb Martin, Max Strus, and rookie big-man Omer Yurtseven who recently became the only player this season with 16 rebounds in four consecutive games. Oh yeah…Victor Oladipo.
Bucks vs. Suns Finals Rematch
The key phrase for that last prediction was “Full Strength,” since a team staying healthy throughout a playoff run is easier said than done. The Phoenix Suns have been trading the league’s best record with the Golden State Warriors all season so far and have been playing better this year in comparison to last. They were able to keep their core that led them to the finals and gave Mikal Bridges a four-year, $90 million extension less than a week before the season. The defending champions of the West made some key free agency acquisitions such as adding JaVale McGee, who has provided the depth Phoenix needs at the Center position, and a solid three-point specialist in Landry Shamet.
The Bucks are taking a similar approach of building around their same core from last season with some additional weapons signed in the off-season. After losing P.J. Tucker, who racked up minutes during last year’s playoffs, in free agency, Milwaukee added former Duke guard Grayson Allen who has stepped right in to the starting lineup while having a career year in scoring. Giannis Antetokounmpo does not seem to be slowing down either, which is enough to make the Bucks a contender once again.
Cade Cunningham Will Win Rookie of the Year
While Evan Mobley, Franz Wagner, and Scottie Barnes have been phenomenal and have solidified their status as legitimate starters in the NBA, Cade Cunningham’s dominance has come under the radar. The number one overall pick had a shaky start after missing the Piston’s first four games with a sprained ankle, but his improvement has been gradual and valuable for Detroit. Halfway through his rookie year, he’s averaging 15.7 PTS / 5.7 TRB / 5.4 AST. If he is able to maintain those averages while bumping up his field goal percentage (38%) to anything north of 40%, expect Cade Cunningham to take home the 2022 Rookie of the Year award.
