The list, which was unveiled on Friday ahead of Game 2 of the Cavs-Celtics series, included Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, but snubbed James.
MORE: All-NBA teams 2017
Westbrook is far and away considered the favorite for the award after averaging a triple-double for the season, powering the Thunder to a 47-win season and pulling down 42 triple-doubles during the season. However, his team lost to Harden’s Rockets, who in turn lost to Leonard’s Spurs. Leonard, by the way, is listed as questionable for Game 3 against Golden State in the Western Conference finals.
James meanwhile is chugging along, scoring 38 points on 14-of-24 shooting in a Game 1 massacre against the Celtics in the East finals. He averaged 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.7 in the regular season.
Here is the full list of awards finalists:
Most Valuable Player
Russell Westbrook James Harden Kawhi Leonard
NBA Coach of the Year
Mike D’Antoni Erik Spoelstra Gregg Popovich
NBA Sixth Man of the Year
Eric Gordon Andre Iguodala Lou Williams
NBA Rookie of the Year
Malcolm Brogdon Joel Embiid Dario Saric
NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Draymond Green Rudy Gobert Kawhi Leonard
NBA Most Improved Player
Giannis Antetokounmpo Rudy Gobert Nikola Jokic
Best Style
Russell Westbrook Dwyane Wade Iman Shumpert
Block of the Year
Hassan Whiteside on Pascal Siakam Kristaps Porzingis on Spencer Dinwiddie Kawhi Leonard on James Harden
Game-Winner of the Year
Tyler Uulis vs. Boston Celtics Kyrie Irving vs. Golden State Warriors Russell Westbrook vs. Denver Nuggets
Assist of the Year
Draymond Green to Stephen Curry to Kevin Durant Nikola Jokic to Wilson Chandler Chris Paul to Brandon Bass
Dunk of the Year
Larry Nance Jr. on Brook Lopez Zach LaVine on Alex Len Victor Oladipo on Dwight Howard
Performance of the Year
James Harden vs. Knicks Devin Booker vs. Celtics Russell Westbrook vs. Magic Klay Thompson vs. Pacers
Omnisport’s Joe Rodgers contributed to this report.
