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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz's comeback season seems to have turned some NBA heads.
On Wednesday, the NBA named its finalists for the end of season awards, and three Jazz personalities found themselves among the chosen few.
Rookie guard Donovan Mitchell made the Rookie of the Year finalist list, along with Philadelphia's Ben Simmons and Boston's Jayson Tatum. Mitchell led all rookies in scoring with a 20.5 points per game average, leading the Jazz and setting numerous rookie records.
Center Rudy Gobert was one of three finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year award, as were New Orleans' Anthony Davis and Philadelphia's Joel Embiid. Gobert finished third in blocks per game in the NBA, but led the league in defensive Real Plus-Minus.
Head coach Quin Snyder joined Boston coach Brad Stevens and Toronto coach (since fired) Dwane Casey as Coach of the Year finalists. Snyder turned around a 19-28 start early in the season to lead the Jazz to a 48-win regular season total and the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
The winners in each category will be announced at the NBA's new award show at the end of the playoffs, on June 25.
