Closest MVP race yet? Experts split as new challengers arrive

The Hungry Jack's NBL26 MVP race was one of the tightest in League history, with Adelaide's Bryce Cotton edging Sydney's Kendric Davis by just two votes for the crown - the second straight year Davis has been pipped for the top individual accolade by the six-time winner.

But NBL27 looks nothing like a two-man race. With star power like Cole Anthony entering the League, and coaches already spruiking the chances of players like Skylar Mays, the MVP conversation is as open as it's been in years.

Still, with the season just weeks away, Chris Anstey believes it's Davis' time to go one better.

"I'm Team Kendric this year," he said on NBL Now.

"I don't see him going three years without an MVP.

"If he stays healthy and plays the full season, I think he'll end up with an even bigger role than he had last year.

"That will be difficult to beat."

Two-time NBL champion Lanard Copeland agrees.

"He's been fantastic. KD is one of those players who has a chip on his shoulder," he said.

"He's lost [Jaylin] Galloway, Bul Kuol, Kouat Noi and his starting centre [Tim Soares], now the responsibility is going to be on him.

"He's going to come out and play extremely hard.

"Brian Goorjian has given him the keys, and when you've got the keys to the team, you can become MVP.

"You can take the shots you want, and you're running the show."

Not everyone is ready to hand Davis the trophy, though.

"Until Bryce Cotton doesn't win it, it's still Bryce Cotton's award," 2009 NBL champion Mark Worthington said.

"They (Adelaide) have brought in Trevor Gleeson, and they have a similar roster to the one that made the [Championship Series] last year and came within a layup of winning a championship.

"I think Bryce equals Andrew Gaze and wins his seventh MVP."

As a two-time MVP winner himself, Anstey believes a seventh crown for Cotton would put him in rare air.

"If Bryce gets to seven MVPs, he belongs in the same conversation as Andrew Gaze," Anstey said.

"The game evolves, it changes. What Bryce has done over the last decade has been nothing short of greatness."

But Copeland, who played alongside Gaze at the Melbourne Tigers for 14 seasons, believes no one, even Cotton, can compare to the League's 'GOAT'.

"We love Bryce Cotton," Copeland said. "He's a fantastic player and probably the best import ever to come to Australia. I can say that.

"But even if he wins eight MVPs, he's still not Andrew Gaze."

Read more >> United recruit throws down MVP gauntlet

While everyone appreciates that those two elite guards will be in the mix for the 2026-27 MVP prize, another has thrown his name into the ring.

Earlier this week, Melbourne United recruit Cole Anthony said there are many reasons why he could be MVP of the League.

"That [Anthony winning MVP] is absolutely possible," Copeland said.

"It depends on the role they're asking him to play.

"If he's there to distribute and get others involved, he won't be top five.

"But if we keep hyping him up, he might decide to shoot every time he touches it."

As excited as Anstey is to see the 367-game NBA talent in the NBL, he's unsure if he or anyone on United can win MVP, due to their balanced lineup.

With talent like Chris Goulding, Luke Travers, Sam Waardenburg and Josh Oduro among a star-studded roster, Melbourne runs deep.

"Cole Anthony might be the best player in the league and still not finish top five in MVP voting," he said.

"[Honestly], I don't think anyone from Melbourne United can really be in MVP consideration, because it's not going to be your night every night.

"There's simply too much veteran talent. I think he'll be incredible and huge for the League, but I don't see MVP being on his agenda."

Earlier this week, South East Melbourne coach Josh King singled out one of his own as a potential MVP candidate.

“Skylar’s a guy who’s got a lot of NBA experience. He’s got two years in Europe recently. I think we got a bargain play here,” King told SEN.

“He had a little run in the NBA where he put together ten to 15 games where he was averaging close to a double-double, so there’s a lot of potential there.

"He's a guy that I feel like has tremendous potential to be an MVP-type candidate."

The NBL27 season will tip off with that United side hosting Cotton and his 36ers at John Cain Arena on Saturday, September 19.