Andrew Wiggins is training for his return to the Golden State roster in the playoffs (from YouTube)
Just before the playoffs start this evening (Saturday), the NBA published the final list of candidates for the various individual titles, with the announcement of the winners coming only after the end of the season.
In the most coveted award of all, the MVP, it was announced as expected that the three finalists are Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Denver center is aiming to win for the third time in a row and become the first since Larry Bird to do so, the Cameroonian from Philadelphia hopes to finally win for the first time, while for the Greek, like the Serbian, it will also be a third win and first since 2020.
All the awards, all the nominees
In addition to the MVP, a particularly tight battle also awaits in the battle for the title of the improving player between Jaylen Brunson (New York), Shea Giljos Alexander (Oklahoma City) and Ori Markkanen (Utah) and also in the battle for the title of the defensive player of the season between J. Arn Jackson Jr. (Memphis), Brook Lopez (Milwaukee) and Evan Mobley (Cleveland).
On the other hand, in the additional titles there is a clear favorite and a leading candidate for the win.
In the title of coach of the year, Mike Brown of Sacramento is expected to beat Joe Mazzola of Boston and Mike Daigneault of Oklahoma City after leading the Kings to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, while Paolo Bancro of Orlando, who was selected first in the draft and quite lived up to expectations, should be chosen as the rookie of the season ahead of Walker Kessler (Utah) and J. Yellen Williams (Oklahoma City).
Malcolm Brogdon from Boston is expected to win the sixth player title, thus ahead of Bobby Portis from Milwaukee and Emmanuel Quickley from the Knicks.
The NBA decided to award another personal title this year - the clutch player of the season - to the player who excelled more than anyone else in the decisive moments of the games.
The leading candidate for the win is Dearon Fox of Sacramento, with the other candidates.
They are Jimmy Butler from Miami and DeMar DeRozan from Chicago.
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NBA
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Joel Embiid
Nikola Jokic
Giannis Antetokounmpo