Blazers’ Toumani Camara Not a Finalist for Defensive Player of the Year

The NBA revealed the finalists for its seven major regular-season awards on Sunday, but no Portland Trail Blazers made the cut. That list of omissions included Blazers forward Toumani Camara, who was not named as a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.

Instead of Camara, the three finalists for the NBA’s premier defensive award included Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels and Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley.

Camara was Portland’s best chance to make one of the finalist lists for the seven major awards — including MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. The Trail Blazers campaigned hard for Camara to win in the defensive category, launching a website in March promoting Camara’s case with statistics, highlights and testimonials.

The second-year forward led the NBA in offensive fouls drawn and finished ninth in steals while spearheading Portland’s improved defensive attack. He was also named the Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for February.

Although Defensive Player of the Year is no longer on the table, Camara could still make one of the NBA’s All-Defensive Teams or even be a possibility for Hustle Player of the Year.

Here are the finalists for the other major awards:

MVP

• Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic

Rookie of the Year

• San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle
• Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher
• Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells

Most Improved Player

• Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham
• Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels
• LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac

Sixth Man of the Year

• Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard
• Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley
• Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome

Clutch Player of the Year

Coach of the Year

• Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson
• Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff
• Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka