This season is arguably the most contentious award season in league annals, and not many choices are clear no-brainers.

Last season, Jaylen Brown was the NBA Finals MVP, but he is working through a sore knee as this postseason opens. So it will likely be up to Tatum to lead the charge to consecutive titles, and we will have to see if he can beat out the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Donovan Mitchell to win the 2025 NBA Finals MVP award.

For the sixth time, the NBA league office has given me an official ballot for year-end awards. Here’s how I decided to use it. One quick note: I’m writing this before voters receive our ballots; as such,