Orlando (United States) (AFP)

Unsurprisingly, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and James Harden are the three finalists for the title of best player of the season, with Rudy Gobert in the race to be named best defenseman for the third year in a row, the NBA announced on Saturday.

Journalists' votes only take into account matches played until March 11, date of the interruption of the championship due to the coronavirus.

Antetokounmpo, who has improved almost all his statistical lines (29.6 pts, 13.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists) compared to last season, is the favorite to his own succession. And this even if James, quadruple winner, made this prognosis less clear with the approach of spring, with high class performances, proving that at 35 years old he remained an exceptional player (25.7 pts, 7.9 rbds, 10.6 passes).

Harden, already rewarded in 2018, seems to have less chances, even if his domination in scoring is undeniable (34.4 pts, 6.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.7 interceptions).

Rudy Gobert, the league's best defenseman the past two seasons, can get him a pass of three, as Dwight Howard did between 2009 and 2011 with Orlando. But the Frenchman from Utah, whose positive Covid-19 test caused the suspension of the season on March 11, will have formidable competitors with Anthony Davis (Lakers) and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Among the rookies, the big favorite will be Ja Morant (Memphis) against the phenomenon Zion Williamson, whose season only started in January due to a knee injury, and ahead of Kendrick Nunn (Miami).

The Slovenian prodigy Luka Doncic (Dallas), rookie of last season and who achieved the most triple-double in this year (March 14 to 11, two more since the resumption), logically applies for the title of player in the better progression, competed by Bam Adebayo (Miami) and Brandon Ingram (New Orleans).

Lou Williams (Clippers) can win him for the third year in a row, the fourth overall, his title of best 6th man, but his most serious rival will be his teammate Montrezl Harrell, ahead of Dennis Schröder (Oklahoma City).

Finally, among coaches, Mike Budenholzer (Milwaukee) can achieve the double. In front of him, Billy Donovan (Oklahoma City), with whom he shares a similar distinction awarded by their peers a few days ago, as well as Nick Nurse (Toronto).

© 2020 AFP