The Nelson Giants have received a boost ahead of tonight's NBL finals series opener against the Bay Hawks in Napier with American guard Josh Pace being named most valuable player.
In his second season with Nelson, Pace averaged 22.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals to
lead voting for the league's highest individual honour.
His decision to return to Nelson was made soon after the Giants were eliminated by the Hawks in last year's semis.
"I had a conversation with [coach Nenad Vucinic] and decided to come back, depending on when the season finished in Europe," Pace said.
"I felt we could win the championship - that was my only goal. We've come together as a team more this year, but it doesn't end here."
Nelson have had the upper hand over tonight's finals opponents this year, winning both regular season encounters. Pace, too, has enjoyed the rivalry, averaging 28.5 points and 8.5 rebounds.
But those two wins would count for nothing tonight, he said.
"It's a different atmosphere, they're defending champs and we have to come ready to play."
* Harbour Heat coach John Dorge and co-captain Hayden Allen received some consolation for their side's semifinal exit at the hands of the Hawks, being named coach of the year and Kiwi guard of the year respectively. Allen was joint recipient of the Kiwi guard award with Auckland Stars' Lindsay Tait. The Stars' US-bound youngster Charlie Piho was named rookie of the year.
NBL Awards
* Most Valuable Player: Josh Pace (Nelson Giants)
* Kiwi MVP: Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountain Airs) and Paora Winitana (Bay Hawks)
* Outstanding guard: Josh Pace (Nelson Giants)
* Outstanding forward: Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountain Airs)
* Outstanding Kiwi guard: Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars) & Hayden Allen (Harbour Heat)
* Outstanding Kiwi forward: Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountain Airs)
* Rookie of the year: Charlie Piho (Auckland Stars)
* Coach of the year: John Dorge (Harbour Heat)
* All-Star five: Josh Pace (Nelson Giants), Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars), Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountain Airs), Dillon Boucher (Auckland Stars), Oscar Forman (Harbour Heat)
