Finalists for the 2017 NBA awards are being announced on Friday night prior to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Three finalists each will be announced for the following awards: Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Kia NBA Sixth Man Award, Kia NBA Most Improved Player and NBA Coach of the Year. Rapper/entertainer Drake will help reveal the winners of these awards when he hosts the first-ever NBA Awards show on Monday, June 26.
Here is a running list of the award finalists:
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Milwaukee PG/F Giannis Antetokounmpo: Became just the fifth player in NBA history to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals, joining LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Scottie Pippen and Dave Cowens.