By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA revealed the three finalists for each of the season awards, including the finalists for the coach of the year award.
As usual, players outside the USA are shining among the candidates for the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player and Clutch Player of the Year.
To be exact, the candidates for the MVP award are two Europeans, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, and a Canadian, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing the cut.
As in years past, award winners were voted on by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. This year, however, new rules regarding player availability impacted the award eligibility for several stars with Joel Embiid being the prime example. Last season’s MVP is not eligible for the award this year, because of the games he missed.
Of course, French rookie Victor Wembanyama is the front-runner for the award and also a candidate for the defensive player of the year award, together with his fellow countryman Rudy Gobert.
Turkish big man Alperen Sengun is among the candidates for the most improved player award.
Most Valuable Player
Finalists
- Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma State Thunder
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Rookie of the Year
- Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Defensive Player of the Year
Finalists
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Sixth Man of the Year
Finalists
- Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
- Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks
- Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves
Most Improved Player
Finalists
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
- Coby White, Chicago Bulls
Clutch Player of the Year
Finalists
- Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
- DeMar DeRozen, Chicago Bulls
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma State Thunder
Coach of the Year
Finalists
- Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic