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The Serbian Nikola Jokic, of the Denver Nuggets, the Cameroonian Joel Embiid, of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, of the Milwaukee Bucks, are the finalists for MVP, the award for the best player of the regular season, the NBA reported this Sunday.
Two centers and one small forward are the players who have dominated the most during the current NBA season. Left out of the finalists were players like Devin Booker, of the Phoenix Suns, or DeMar DeRozan, of the Chicago Bulls, that were in the US debate in recent months.
Jokic, current MVP, Giannis, who won this award twice (2020 and 2020) and Embiid, who is experiencing an outstanding season in the 76ers, were chosen as finalists and the winner will be announced during the NBA postseason.
Jokic has an average of 27.1, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game, Embiid contributed 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, while Giannis averaged 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
Jokic is facing off with the Denver Nuggets against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA playoffs. For his part, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 80ers are up against the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks from Antetokounmpo take on the Chicago Bulls.
As far as the coaches are concerned, Taylor Jenkins (Memphis Grizzlies), Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat) and Monty Williams (Phoenix Suns) were chosen as finalists.
Ja Morant, star of the Grizzlies, Darius Garland, of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dejounte Murray, of the San Antonio Spurs, will fight for the title to the player who improved more in the year.
On the other hand, the best defender of the season will be one between Mikal Bridges ( Phoenix Suns), Frenchman Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz) and Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics).
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