The National Basketball Association has revealed the finalists for all six 2021-22 season awards.
Here they are:
NBA Coach of the Year
Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies
Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns
Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
Kia NBA Most Improved Player
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs
Kia NBA Most Valuable Player
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Kia NBA Rookie of the Year
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Cam Johnson, Phoenix Suns
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
The award winners will be revealed over the course of the NBA playoffs.
Miami Heat’ guard Tyler Herro is the closest thing to a lock among the finalists.
For what it’s worth, I would have voted for Monty Williams for Coach of the Year, Marcus Smart for Defensive Player of the Year, Jordan Poole (not a finalist) for Most Improved Player, Nikola Jokić for Most Valuable Player, Scottie Barnes for Rookie of the Year, and Tyler Herro for Sixth Man of the Year.
If I had to bet, I’d say the winners will ultimately be Monty Williams for Coach of the Year, Marcus Smart for Defensive Player of the Year, Ja Morant for Most Improved Player, Joel Embiid for Most Valuable Player, Evan Mobley for Rookie of the Year, and Tyler Herro for Sixth Man of the Year.