NBA Western Conference: Best player, coach, rookie, GM, uniforms and more in 2023-24
![Golden State's Stephen Curry poses during the team's media day in...](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3AZGY1MDY3MmMtMTZmYS00%3AMmMtMTZmYS00YWRmYTY0%2Fwarriors-media-day-basketball.jpeg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D770%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
Golden State's Stephen Curry poses during the team's media day in San Francisco on Oct. 2. Credit: AP/Scott Strazzante
BEST PLAYERS
1. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Until somebody snatches the crown, Jokic is the best of the West. The reigning NBA Finals MVP will try to win his third regular-season MVP in four years and chase that elusive triple-double average for the season.
2. Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Hard to believe Doncic is just 24 until February. But as a top-10 player in the world and one of the best facilitators in the league, can he lead the Mavericks back to the playoffs after last season’s collapse?
3. LeBron James, Lakers
It’s Year 21 and there might not be 10 current players better than James. That’s uncharted territory. While James will further decline this year, he’s still capable of showing why he has few peer in the league.
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State
Curry remains fun to watch when he gets cooking as a scorer and shooter. But during the last two years, he’s been more impressive while carrying Golden State on his back.
5. Kevin Durant, Suns
Even at age 35, Durant is still among the NBA’s best scorers from anywhere on the floor. His presence - along with Devin Booker - makes the Suns worthy challengers to the Nuggets in the West despite not playing more than 55 games since his 2020 return from his Achilles injury.
![Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant points as he brings the...](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3AMTA4ZDVlMTktNTUzYy00%3AMTktNTUzYy00NTNiNGUw%2Fsuns-trail-blazers-basketball.jpeg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D768%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant points as he brings the ball up against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA preseason game in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 12. Credit: AP/Craig Mitchelldyer
BEST ROOKIES TO WATCH
1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
2. Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers
3. Amen Thompson, Rockets
BEST PLAYERS OVER AGE 30
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State
2. LeBron James, Lakers
3. Kevin Durant, Suns
BEST SHOOTERS
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State
2. Devin Booker, Suns
3. Desmond Bane, Grizzlies
BEST POINT GUARDS
1. Luka Doncic, Mavericks
2. Jamal Murray, Nuggets
3. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
![The Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic dribbles during an NBA preseason game...](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3ANWYxY2U4YmQtMjEwOS00%3AYmQtMjEwOS00MWZlYzcx%2Fmavericks-timberwolves-basketball.jpeg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D768%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
The Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic dribbles during an NBA preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 7. Credit: AP/Kamran Jebreili
BEST SCORERS
1. Devin Booker, Suns
2. Kevin Durant, Suns
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State
BEST BIG MEN
1. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2. Anthony Davis, Lakers
3. Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
BEST DEFENDERS
1. Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
2. Draymond Green, Golden State
3. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
BEST REBOUNDERS
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver
2. Domantas Sabonis, Kings
3. Jonas Valanciunas, Pelicans
BEST SHOT BLOCKERS
1. Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
2. Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
3. Walker Kessler, Jazz
BEST BALL HANDLERS
1. Kyrie Irving, Mavericks
2. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State
![Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving poses for photos during media day...](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3ANjFmYTIxMjgtODk2OS00%3AMjgtODk2OS00MTFlOThk%2Fmavericks-media-day-basketball.jpeg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D768%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving poses for photos during media day in Dallas on Sept. 29. Credit: AP/LM Otero
BEST SIXTH MEN
1. Malik Monk, Kings
2. Norman Powell, Clippers
3. Christian Wood, Lakers
BEST OFFSEASON ACQUISITIONS
1. Marcus Smart, Grizzlies
2. Bradley Beal, Suns
3. Fred VanVleet, Rockets
SMARTEST PLAYERS
1. LeBron James, Lakers
2. Chris Paul, Golden State
3. Mike Conley, Timberwolves
BEST COACHES
1. Ty Lue, Clippers
2. Michael Malone, Nuggets
3. Mike Brown, Kings
BEST ASSISTANTS WHO SHOULD BE A HEAD COACH
1. Jay Larranaga, Clippers
2. Mitch Johnson, Spurs
3. David Adelman, Nuggets
BEST GMS
1. Calvin Booth, Nuggets
2. James Jones, Suns
3. Zach Kleiman, Grizzlies
TOUGHEST PLACES TO PLAY
1. Ball Arena, Nuggets
2. Golden 1 Center, Kings
3. Delta Center, Jazz
BEST UNIFORMS
1. Suns
2. Trail Blazers
3. Kings
More NBA news
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