ESPN Forecast: Awards, Finals matchups and Warriors vs. the field
Who is the favorite for MVP and the major NBA awards? Who is winning the Finals: the [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors" ]Golden State Warriors[/url] or the field?[br /][br /]We polled the ESPN Forecast panel of experts for their votes halfway through the season.[br /][Ads /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2019/0114/r488730_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Who is most likely to win MVP?[/h2][br /]MVP is quickly becoming a two-player race between [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3032977/giannis-antetokounmpo" ]Giannis Antetokounmpo[/url] and [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3992/james-harden" ]James Harden[/url]. Our panel gives Antetokounmpo the slight edge for now, but Harden has a chance to build his case if he keeps the [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/hou/houston-rockets" ]Houston Rockets[/url] afloat with starting center [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3102529/clint-capela" ]Clint Capela[/url] out [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25761296/houston-rockets-clint-capela-4-6-weeks-thumb-injury" ]four to six weeks[/url].[br /][br /][i]Others receiving votes: [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6583/anthony-davis" ]Anthony Davis[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3202/kevin-durant" ]Kevin Durant[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059318/joel-embiid" ]Joel Embiid[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4251/paul-george" ]Paul George[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3112335/nikola-jokic" ]Nikola Jokic[/url][/i][br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25714487/james-harden-dominance-unprecedented-undeniable" ]The James Harden experience is unprecedented and undeniable[/url][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2019/0108/r486282_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Who is most likely to win Rookie of the Year?[/h2][br /]Yeah, this one looks like it's over. The only question now is whether[url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3945274/luka-doncic" ]Luka Doncic[/url]'s incredible rookie season will earn him [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25729546/kevin-durant-not-western-conference-starters-fan-voting-nba-all-star-game" ]a spot in the All-Star Game[/url].[br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25756154/golden-state-warriors-coach-steve-kerr-calls-dallas-mavericks-rookie-luka-doncic-all-star" ]Steve Kerr, Warriors players praise Mavs rookie Luka Doncic[/url][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/0129/r320879_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Who is most likely to win Sixth Man Of the Year?[/h2][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2799/lou-williams" ]Lou Williams[/url] is a slight favorite to claim his third career Sixth Man Award, though this should remain a close race throughout the second half of the season. [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3456/derrick-rose" ]Derrick Rose[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3155942/domantas-sabonis" ]Domantas Sabonis[/url] and [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2580782/spencer-dinwiddie" ]Spencer Dinwiddie[/url] all have time to make cases while thriving on competitive teams.[br /][br /][i]Others receiving votes: [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4249/gordon-hayward" ]Gordon Hayward[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6619/terrence-ross" ]Terrence Ross[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2990992/marcus-smart" ]Marcus Smart[/url][/i][br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://insider.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/25753136/nba-real-plus-minus-rating-predicting-court-impact-every-player" ]Rating, predicting the on-court impact for every NBA player[/url][img ALT="Insider" SRC="https://assets.espn.go.com/icons/in.gif" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/1226/r481612_2_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][Ads /][br /]Who is most likely to win Defensive Player of the Year?[/h2][br /]This is an abnormally deep DPOY race. Usually a clear contender or two emerges early on, but any of these five players could end up taking it. ESPN's[url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM" ]real plus-minus[/url](RPM)gives [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3032976/rudy-gobert" ]Rudy Gobert[/url] the edge among this group, but Paul George has the benefit of providing rare, elite defense on the wing.[br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25519216/how-paul-george-discovered-best-version-okc" ]How Paul George discovered the best version of himself in OKC[/url][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/1205/r473570_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Who is most likely to win Most Improved Player?[/h2][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3149673/pascal-siakam" ]Pascal Siakam[/url] is having a breakout third season on the league-leading [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/tor/toronto-raptors" ]Toronto Raptors[/url]. The Raptors are 12.8 points per 100 possessions better when he's on the court as compared to when he sits, and he's up to No. 24 in RPM. There's a long list of strong MIP candidates. They're all chasing Siakam.[br /][br /][i]Others receiving votes: [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6580/bradley-beal" ]Bradley Beal[/url], Joel Embiid, [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3988/danny-green" ]Danny Green[/url], Nikola Jokic, [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3134907/kyle-kuzma" ]Kyle Kuzma[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3452/javale-mcgee" ]JaVale McGee[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059310/monte-morris" ]Monte Morris[/url], Domantas Sabonis, [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6479/kemba-walker" ]Kemba Walker[/url], [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3135047/justise-winslow" ]Justise Winslow[/url][/i][br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23396205/nba-pascal-siakam-6000-mile-journey-raptors-stardom" ]Inside Pascal Siakam's 6,000-mile journey to Raptors stardom[/url][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/1114/r463644_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Who is most likely to win Coach of the Year?[/h2][br /]The [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/mil/milwaukee-bucks" ]Milwaukee Bucks[/url] have the best point differential in the NBA, a remarkable feat considering they were merely average last season and returned mostly the same roster. Head coach Mike Budenholzer has helped develop a top-5 offense[i]and[/i]defense around Antetokounmpo. Budenholzer's new system is working wonders. In a deep season for impressive coaching jobs, Budenholzer stands out.[br /][br /][i]Others receiving votes: Doc Rivers, Terry Stotts, Luke Walton[/i][br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25571879/the-bucks-great-giannis-brooding" ]Seven stories that define the new Bucks and their fiery superstar[/url][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2019/0102/r484021_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Who are the most likely Eastern Conference champions?[/h2][br /][Ads /][br /]The East was declared wide-open when [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james" ]LeBron James[/url] headed to L.A., and our panel likes Toronto to take the crown. The Raptors likely have the fewest weaknesses among these contenders. Milwaukee is unproven in the playoffs, while [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25760534/boston-celtics-star-kyrie-irving-says-desire-win-was-root-frustration-loss-orlando-magic" ]Boston[/url] and [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25684980/jimmy-butler-challenging-philadelphia-76ers-coach-brett-brown-offensive-role" ]Philly[/url] have dealt with some drama so far.[br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25714822/everything-need-know-nba-second-half" ]Everything you need to know for the NBA's second half[/url][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/0526/r376078_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Who are the most likely Western Conference champions?[/h2][br /]Yep, it's the Warriors. But who are they going to face in the West finals? No clear No. 2 has emerged. The [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/25459260/nba-trade-deadline-team-team-guide-moves-make" ]Feb. 7 trade deadline[/url] could have a significant impact on the cluster of teams trying to knock off the champs.[br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25753161/nba-power-rankings-week-14-surging-spurs-change-top" ]Latest NBA Power Rankings[/url][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/1212/r476787_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Who is most likely to win the NBA Finals?[/h2][br /]Projection systems are split on just how strong Golden State's title chances are. [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2019-nba-predictions/?ex_cid=rrpromo" ]FiveThirtyEight gives the Warriors[/url] a 55 percent chance to win it all -- No. 2 Toronto is only at 15 percent -- while ESPN's Basketball Power Index pegs the defending champs at just 15.7 percent likely to repeat, trailing Milwaukee (29.8 percent).[br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=25722547" ]Lowe Post podcast: Bill Simmons on the 10 championship contenders[/url][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png" /][br /][br /][img SRC="https://secure.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/1207/r474479_1296x518_5-2.jpg" /][br /][br /]Warriors vs. the field: Who are you taking to win it all?[/h2][br /]This is the first time since Kevin Durant joined Golden State that this feels like a real debate. Our panel is still favoring the Warriors over the collective field of NBA teams, but their grasp is a little weaker than usual.[br /][br /][url TARGET="_blank" HREF="https://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=25760907" ]Hoop Collective podcast: Lakers' struggles, bounce-back Spurs, Boston's issues[/url][br /][br /][i]Image credits:Stacy Revere/Getty Images, Christian Petersen/Getty Images, Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire, Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images, John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports, Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images, Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports, AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images, AP Photo/Morry Gash[/i][br/][br/][sectionHeader]Related Video[/sectionHeader][promoExternal HREF="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=25761906&ex_cid=espnapi_affiliate_abcotv" IMAGE="http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2019/0114/dm_190114_Celtcs_Blame_Jump_NBA/dm_190114_Celtcs_Blame_Jump_NBA.jpg" TITLE="What's holding the Celtics back?" DESCRIPTION="With Kyrie Irving calling teammates out, The Jump debates who's at fault for the Celtics' struggles." ]
