The NBA’s recent midseason survey has the Boston Celtics featured quite favorably in terms of the NBA media members’ expectations for the second half of the 2022-23 season.
Per NBA.com’s Mark Medina, the NBA polled 30 members of the league’s media drawn from every media market, including two in both Los Angeles and New York City to account for the league’s double representation in those cities. These beat writers and columnists were asked for their opinions on questions about the best teams, players and coaches for the latter part of the 2022-23 campaign.
Let’s dive into the results.
NBA’s ‘Best plays of 2022’ highlight video features the Boston Celtics https://t.co/2prTUw4HTE
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 5, 2023
Who are the 10 best teams in the NBA right now?
Here, the Celtics came in first with 293 total votes, ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks (231), and Denver Nuggets (224).
This Thursday afternoon, the league released the results from the first round of 2023 NBA All-Star Game fan voting returns. https://t.co/tGG9n15XDx
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 6, 2023
Which team is poised to make a big second-half run?
The Celtics came in sixth in a three-way tie with the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers with 3% of the vote, behind the Golden State Warriors (43%), Los Angeles Clippers (27%), and Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, and Bucks with 7% of the vote each.
Celtics Lab 164: Gearing up for a Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics collision with Nick Fay https://t.co/HQ202KHhz1
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 10, 2023
Which team will represent the East in the NBA Finals?
Boston wins this one handily with 57% of the vote. The Bucks are next with 33%, and the Nets follow with 10%.
Boston’s Al Horford on his recent success shooting the 3 from the corners https://t.co/03gnbcN4EI
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 10, 2023
Who will win the 2023 NBA Finals?
The Celtics come in first again with a commanding 57% of the vote, followed by the Bucks (30%), the Nets (10%), and Clippers (3%).
Boston, Brooklyn alum Kenny Anderson picks Celtics over Nets for the 2023 NBA title https://t.co/TgUDsUzPzX
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 8, 2023
What has been the best game of the season?
Boston’s win against Milwaukee on Christmas Day and Cleveland’s one-point win against Boston in early November made “also receiving votes,” but did not crack the top three.
Boston Celtics featured in NBA’s ‘best games of 2022’ compilation https://t.co/nCa7p5lFdv
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 4, 2023
What has been the most surprising storyline of the season?
Boston’s strong start following Ime Udoka’s suspension made “also receiving votes,” but did not crack the top four.
Three Boston Celtics who need to up their game in 2023 https://t.co/vD4xfLNtff
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 5, 2023
Based on what you’ve seen so far, which team made the best overall personnel moves last summer?
The Celtics came in tied for third with the Nuggets with 7% of the vote. The Cavs (67%) and the Utah Jazz (10%) are ahead of them.
The deal will reportedly save the Celtics about $7 million in salary and tax while also opening up a roster spot the ball club has a variety of options to fill — or leave vacant. https://t.co/piIYzHSMIn
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 10, 2023
Who is on track to win the Kia MVP award this season?
Jayson Tatum came in third with 7% of the vote, tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo and behind Luka Doncic (43%) and Nikola Jokic (40%).
While Celtics fans have an issue with his occasional duds, the level Tatum has been playing at when focused leaves little to be desired. https://t.co/11OEQKpCo4
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 11, 2023
Who is on track to win the Kia Sixth Man of the Year award?
Malcolm Brogdon came in second with 23% of the vote, behind Jordan Poole (33%), and ahead of a tie between Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Wood (13%).
“I think when we don’t, we’re not doing our job. So we’ve just got to be more consistent with that regardless of how the first group comes out,” said the Virginia alum… https://t.co/M5vOjpWWtc
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 7, 2023
Who is on track to win Coach of the Year?
Joe Mazzulla came in second with 23% of the vote in a tie with Willie Green of the New Orleans Pelicans, and behind Jacque Vaughn of the Nets with 43%.
What should the Boston Celtics’ New Year’s resolutions for 2023 be? https://t.co/0b467Mw13j
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 7, 2023
Who is on track to win the Clutch Player of the Year award?
Jayson Tatum made also receiving votes, but did not crack the top three.
His answer on who was the greater player may surprise you, given he knew both. https://t.co/VbujwATnGQ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 10, 2023
Who has been the best shooting guard this season?
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown tied for third with 7% of the vote, behind Donovan Mitchell (62%) and Devin Booker (17 %).
Could Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown be named All-Star starters this year? Initial fan voting results say not so fast. https://t.co/91fDRzycdo
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 5, 2023
Who has been the best small forward this season?
Tatum wins easily here with 62% of the vote with Kevin Durant second.
The St. Louis native is not even the most popular Tatum in the wider Celtics family, with his son Deuce claiming that title for himself. https://t.co/LOJiWu53qK
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 6, 2023
Which first-year head coach has had the most positive impact on his team?
Joe Mazzulla (37%) takes first here. Jacque Vaughn (23%) and former Celtic assistant Will Hardy (20%) are next up.
NBA’s top 100 dunks of 2022 highlight video features the Boston Celtics https://t.co/d6VbnGRau8
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 7, 2023
Which current NBA assistant coach is poised to become a head coach by the start of next season?
Damon Stoudamire made “also receiving votes,” but did not crack the top three.
When will the Boston Celtics remove Joe Mazzulla’s interim tag? https://t.co/EiT3n8lWtk
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 6, 2023
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
Malcolm Brogdon made also receiving votes, but did not crack the top three.
Could it be an issue of how head coach Joe Mazzula is using the former Pacers floor general? Does he need more time to get in rhythm? https://t.co/uLd5JMBHNp
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 7, 2023
Who is the most underrated player in the league?
Jaylen Brown made also receiving votes, but did not crack the top three.
This Thursday afternoon, the league released the results from the first round of 2023 NBA All-Star Game fan voting returns. https://t.co/iFcpOtLuWn
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 7, 2023
Who is the scrappiest player in the league?
Marcus Smart finished second with 24% of the vote behind Jose Alvarado (31%) and ahead of Jrue Holiday (10%).
Even among Celtics fans, the Flower Mound native’s intense approach to NBA basketball can create divides. https://t.co/kiaWWd6KXm
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 9, 2023
Which team has the best homecourt advantage?
The Dubs won this one (37%), but Boston came in second (27%), the Nuggets third (17%) and Bucks fourth (7%).
What are the ugliest City Edition jerseys in the NBA? https://t.co/WagX10HYwJ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 8, 2023
Which team has the most promising young core?
Boston made also receiving votes, but did not crack the top four.
These are all of the Boston Celtics’ draft picks since 2000 as of September 2022. https://t.co/qR0ZEa3JYE
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 9, 2023
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