Jokic, Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander named finalists for the MVP award

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks talks with Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&T as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)

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
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