Houston Rockets’ James Harden, New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, and Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James are the finalists for 2017-18 regular season NBA MVP award, the league has announced on Wednesday.
James Harden, who is the overwhelming favorite to be named NBA MVP, has averaged 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game while leading his Rockets to 65 wins and number one seed in the Western Conference. Harden missed out on MVP award last season when he finished second in the voting behind Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook.
This will be the first time for Anthony Davis to be in the MVP finalists after he leads the Pelicans into the playoffs following the injury of DeMarcus Cousins. Davis ended the regular season averaging 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.6 blocks per game.
Finally, LeBron James is looking to get his fifth NBA MVP award, which would make him tied with Michael Jordan. James has played one of the best regular seasons in his career, averaging 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
NBA also announced finalists for other awards, with the winners set to be revealed on June 25. The winners for most of the awards will be voted on by a panel of 100 media members, while the fans will have the opportunity to determine award winners for the best dunk, assist, block and clutch shot of the year.
You can check out the finalists for other awards below.
Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Joel Embiid (76ers), Rudy Gobert (Jazz)
Coach of the Year: Dwane Casey (Toronto Raptors), Quin Snyder (Jazz), Brad Stevens (Celtics)
Most Improved Player: Clint Capela (Rockets), Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn Nets), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers)
Sixth Man of the Year: Eric Gordon (Rockets), Lou Williams (LA Clippers), Fred VanVleet (Raptors)
