The NBA award finalists have been announced! So here is the list along with my opinions:
MVP:
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks.
My winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Great job by the voters, finally not getting it wrong with a solid list of candidates here
ROTY:
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
My winner: Scottie Barnes
Back-to-back great voting here by the media. Barnes deserves it IMO since he contributed to a very winning team.
SMOTY:
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cam Johnson, Phoenix Suns
My winner: Tyler Herro
Is this even a question? Herro by far will win unless you are a Suns/Cavs fan. Honestly, I didn't know who was going to be in that 3rd spot behind Love and Herro but sure, Cam deserves it.
DPOY:
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
My winner: Due to rigged events, Gobert wins again
WHAT?!?!?! This was awful voting, did they try to rig it so Gobert got another? Where is JJJ or Bam, who are more deserving than Gobert as they can actually guard the perimeter at a capable level? Speaking of the perimeter, Bridges and Smart both made it which is interesting but it basically feels like a lob to Gobert's 4th DPOY.
MIP:
Darius Garland, Cavaliers
Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Dejounte Murray, Spurs
My winner: Ja Morant
Morant has leapfrogged from fringe All-Star to legitimate MVP candidate. Murray has been pretty good for a while and Garland did have a solid year, but Ja's leadership of his Grizz to the 2nd seed should help him easily snag this award. BTW, solid pool of guys.
COTY:
Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies
Erik Spoelstra, Heat
Monty Williams, Suns
My winner: Taylor Jenkins
Miami and Phoenix were both top seeds in recent years but Memphis just randomly became the 2nd seed this year. Jenkins deserves some credit and this was everyone's COTY award finalists, so nice job award voters.
LMK yours in the comments and your opinions, bye!