A panel of experts selected nominees for the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Best Sixth Man, Best Defensive Player and Most Improved Player.

Coaches and captains from each of the nine teams then voted on the nominations with no coach or captain allowed to vote for a player from their own team.

The panel of experts for the awards comprised of Andrew Gaze, Casey Frank, Greg Davis, Olgun Uluc, Jo Healy, John Casey, Lachlan Reid, Liam Santamaria and Matt Logue.

Other awards to be announced include Most Outstanding Media Coverage, Referee of the Year Presented by Europcar, Gametime by Kmart Award Presented by Kmart, Fans MVP Presented by Chemist Warehouse, All-NBL First Team Presented by Bunnings Trade, All-NBL Second Team Presented by Bunnings Trade and Executive of the Year.

MVP - Sobey

Coach OTY - Goorjian

Most Improved - Delany

Best 6th Man - Adnam

Defensive POTY - Norton

Rookie OTY - Giddey

The only that really needed any though put into it was defensive player of the year. That was clearly Humphries up until the point he got injured, not sure Norton really deserves it, he's not in the running but I probably would've picked Landale then.

So the votes are in and the season doesn't finish for another few hours.

As usual.

There won't be anything happening in the game tonight that impacts any of those award finalists and you know it, what a stupid thing to say.

My picks

MVP - Cotton

COTY- Simon Mitchell. So many injuries yet made top 4. Last year's starting big man played 1 game. Sykes missed about 12 games and wasn't fully fit in many others. Broekhoff missed a bunch of games after joining mid season. Gibson was in and out. Creek had his legal dramas and wasn't even allowed to train or see the team for a fortnight. But top 4.

Of the candidates chosen, I'll go Goorjian. Impressive to take over a new club and get them into the 4 in your first year, when many doubed him (they started the year at $3.50 for top 4)



Most Improved Player - Finn Delany (Sky Sport New Zealand Breakers). Not sure he "improved" the most but he's become a genuine superstar.

Best Sixth Man Presented by Marsh- Jo Lual-Acuil (Melbourne United)

Another one when a good candidate not chosen. Ben Moore could've taken out this award. Hopson started 12 games and Adnam 17, but I guess perhaps they shouldn't be penalised for their team's injuries? It's a tough one.

I was impressed by JLA consistently stepping on court and being the focal point of the offense for the 2nd unit, "the ultimate green light"

It's telling that the top 4 candidates for 6th man are from the two Melbourne teams. Speaks volumes of how they've battled injuries this season, showcasing their depth and both finishing top 4. Probably the two most talented rosters in the competition, I'm gonna hold onto my optimism and keep hoping somehow they make it through and we have GF games in Melbourne

Damian Martin Trophy for the Best Defensive Player- Mitch Norton (Perth Wildcats)


Rookie of the Year Presented by Champion- Josh Giddey (Adelaide 36ers)

I really don't understand this Sobey for MVP talk.

"Last year's starting big man played 1 game. "

I think because Wetzell has slotted in so well, and Moore has been a consistent impact player off the bench, people have forgotten the season Pineau had last year

He was top 5 in NBL for Rebounds, blocked shots and FG%.

A big out.

And when your import point guard battles an injury for much of the season too, plus all the other injuries and dramas, a good effort by Mitchell.

But like many other years and some of the other awards, there's several worthy candidates listed, and others unlisted all really, many possible deserving winners

Dech not a DPoY finalist?

I think Gleeson deserves it this year too. The Cats blew away my expectations for this season. To do what we did with virtually no bench and Jarred Bairstow as our starting 4 is a credit to how well drilled this team is. Absolutely maximised Norton, Blanchfield and Mooney.

Goorj is a worthy contender too though. I like what he did.
Mitchell ... yeah, nah, as nice as it is for a new team to be this good this quickly, as much credit for that goes to the person financing the roster as the person coaching it.

[No one predicted Perth to make the playoffs yet they finished within a whisker of top spot. He is the sensible selection.]

I won't complain if Gleeson gets it, he would be a deserving winner

But I think his job was made much easier because Perth was the only team who was barely impacted by injuries throughout the season. (Except Majok who was replaced by Jervis months before the season). Cotton went down right at the end.

Perth had 10 players who played 32 games or more.

For comparison, Illawarra had 7. Every other team 6 or less, with NZ having 3.

LV, go away.

Love you KR. Always have!

That's another reason why I couldn't give it to Gleeson. It may be techincally his best coaching job this season but the Cats had a sweet run with injuries all season right up until the end with Cotton.

The coaching job Goorjian did this season with that Hawks team after their two big signings went bust was remarkable. Arguably Goorjian's greatest ever achievement getting that team into the Top 4.

I was a little surprised Dech wasn't a finalist for DPOTY too he should've been in there ahead of Abercrombie.

MVP - Cotton

Coach OTY - Gleeson

Most Improved - Delany

Best 6th Man - JLA

Defensive POTY - Norton

Rookie OTY - Giddey

Wouldn't surprise me to see different picks though, Giddey about the only one that I'd be happy to bet my house on.

"That's another reason why I couldn't give it to Gleeson. It may be techincally his best coaching job this season but the Cats had a sweet run with injuries all season right up until the end with Cotton. "

That may be so, but the team he had to coach looked like one you'd get after a series of injuries (ex Cotton, Mooney, Blanchfield).

Bear in mind Wagstaff coming to the end of his career, Jervis was retired, Bairstow not considered NBL quality (but ended up earning his place), DP's getting decent minutes..

Compared to Melbourne where you can knock off 2 or even 3 players before you'd have cut it down to what another team would look like losing 1.

I think Gleeson deserves it this year too. The Cats blew away my expectations for this season. To do what we did with virtually no bench and Jarred Bairstow as our starting 4 is a credit to how well drilled this team is. Absolutely maximised Norton, Blanchfield and Mooney.

Even Blanchfield has been pretty shit for a number of years. Expectations for Mooney were nowhere near his production level either.

Bear in mind Wagstaff coming to the end of his career, Jervis was retired, Bairstow not considered NBL quality (but ended up earning his place), DP's getting decent minutes..

surely vasileiidoaisdjao deserves some thought for mip?

Gleeson. It's about bloody time.

Slap in the face to MU and what they've achieved by not having Landale - and possibly even McCarron - as one of the three MVP candidates. Big Sobey fan but Melbourne finished first due to their two best players.

Gleeson COY for mine. Gorj did a great job but Gleeson took two Illawarra retreads - amongst others - and won with them.

Giddey. No contest.

Froling. Delaney was great after Tai went down but he was almost as this good for the final third of last season also - not as big a jump as Sam.

Norton for DPOY. There’s more to defence than big blocks and steals - of which the latter Norton does well. Perfs D starts with Norton up the floor turning guys once if not twice before they’ve reached halfway - and then he really gets in. I’m sure Simon will get it though.

As for sixth - I’m favouring JLA with Adnam a close second. It felt like every game this season that MU lost little when JLA gave Landale a rest. In isolation he’s arguably in the top five of unguardable players in the league - I reckon his matchups in practice with Jock would have been glorious! A bit rough that MU have two players in this category but when you’ve got two starting fives it’s somewhat understandable. I think Moller deserved a look in and maybe even Cadee if he could have been a little more consistent.

Also, baffles me that people like Uluc and Logue get a say in this stuff. Effectively fan boys who've developed into people with opinions based on no experience. Surely the league can designate their spots to former coaches, players or GMs who’ve been involved in the league and high end sport.

These aren't the nominees. They're the top three vote getters after the captains and coaches voted on the larger nominee lists.

Mooney exceeded expectations.

But so did Jack White at Melbourne and Vasiljevic in Sydney.

Blanchfield slotted nicely into Terrico's role but Blanchfields career has been very up and down. What he did this season was no more impressive than his last season in Townsville all those years ago or his best season in Illawarra.

Cotton is the best player in the NBL.

Wagstaff maybe the most accomplished NBL bench player ever?

Circling back to Mooney, where will he end up? Who knows. Hard to say exactly how much credit Gleeson gets but as Jack White and Vasiljevic show, is not unusual for kids to come into this comp and exceed expectations. Giddey too.

On Sobey, yes they missed playoffs but take Sobey outta that team and they're wooden spooners. With no D Cadee, out of shape Lamar, and big Matt Hodgson struggling through without their #1 weapon.

Imports aren't eligible.

Most of the Next Stars are just imports under another name. Bit silly they can be rookie of the year.

But the NBL wants to give them the opportunity to win awards, so they can be referred to an "Ex-NBL Rookie of the year" or such. Adds a bit of recognition to the league, as many of them will become NBA players.

Personally feel like the MVP should include up to 5 contenders being the biggest award. Cotton, Sobey, Harvey, Landale and Mooney are the 5 that should be considered. Landale and Mooney have arguments over Harvey and Sobey.

MVP - Cotton: It's been a while since I've watched a player in the NBL knowing what they are capable of yet still being amazed and shocked at what they do sometimes. Highest scoring average in the league, improved his game in terms of assists whilst having a low turnover rate is also impressive.

COTY - Gleeson: Has coached Cotton into a better player if that's possible, has coached Mooney into a player that no-one thought would have exceeded Kay's output, coached Blanchfield back into a legit 2nd/3rd option, coached Norton into a Damo clone with better offense. Coached the Cats into 2nd spot whilst having a DP in Travers and state level basketball player in Bairstow starting for the majority of the season. A lot might be off the players own efforts, but that potential is reached first and foremost from the coaches and needing those players to buy in.

MIP - Froling: Tough one, I'd say Froling for full season, but Delany has jumped to another level in the 2nd half of the year. Also wouldn't be surprised to see Hunter take it. Closest of all the awards imo.

DPOY - Simon: Has the stats to back it up which I feel is what they will look at. Norton has been bashed around all season guarding the best gurads in the league and winning on at least half of the occasions, but you can't see 1 on 1 defence on the box scores. Simon has shut down players like Cotton, but at the same time I've seen those same players hit game winners over Simon, but feel his steal and block numbers get him over the line.

ROY - Giddey: Will be a travesty if he doesn't win. Dejan and Jessup have exceeded expectation's, but neither are a NBA lottery pick.

Personally feel like the MVP should include up to 5 contenders being the biggest award. Cotton, Sobey, Harvey, Landale and Mooney are the 5 that should be considered. Landale and Mooney have arguments over Harvey and Sobey.

"The three players listed are the top three vote getters. It's not a full list of the nominees"

Gotcha, maybe they should not assess the votes at this stage so they can put a larger list up? I'd personally have Landale and Mooney ahead of Harvey. Mooney is putting up essentially the same numbers as Bogut did in his MVP year.

https://www.facebook.com/basketballhustle/photos/a.115267109867056/619901176070311

Damo has Norton just slightly ahead of Simon. Too close to call, but I suspect Simon will get the nod.

And yeah, cannot figure how Dech was not top 3.