NBA 2021 season awards: who are the finalists in each category?

The National Basketball Association announced the candidates in the six categories for its most prestigious awards of the 2020/2021 regular season. The winners' decision in each category is based on the voting result of a selected panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

All the finalists of the NBA regular season awards

NBA most valuable player

Although it was a season severely struck by many injuries of the top players, three players chosen by the panel stood out with their performance throughout the season. All three players helped their team to reach the NBA playoffs and had some record-breaking performances and stats.

Nikola Jokić - Denver Nuggets

Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers

Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors

NBA Rookie of the Year

Regardless of their premiere campaigns' unusual pre-season and condense schedule, several young players and new faces have made their appearance known all season long.

LaMelo Ball - Charlotte Hornets

Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves

Tyrese Haliburton - Sacramento Kings

Defensive Player of the Year

On this year's list, some of the players had the experience of winning this prestigious award, while others look to do so for the first time. One thing that is certain across all the nominees is that they've had an enormous impact on the defensive end for their respective teams.

Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz

Draymond Green - Golden State Warriors

Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers

Most Improved Player

The biggest favorite in this category is Julius Randle, who led his Knicks to their first playoff appearance since 2013.

Julius Randle - New York Knicks

Michael Porter Jr. - Denver Nuggets

Jerami Grant - Detroit Pistons

The best Sixth Man

One of the equal categories of this year's season, just looking at the players and seeing what they brought to their teams, respectively. On one end, we have the two teammates from Utah, and on the other, once a big superstar and a former MVP from the New York Knicks.

Jordan Clarkson - Utah Jazz

Joe Ingles - Utah Jazz

Derrick Rose - New York Knicks

Coach of the year

Unquestionably some awards have clear-cut winners, but one race seems a little closer than usual. The NBA Coach of the Year award is usually one of the most challenging awards to pick, and this year is nothing more different.

Quin Snyder - Utah Jazz

Tom Thibodeau - New York Knicks

Monty Williams - Phoenix Suns