In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Sydney Kings superstar Kendric Davis has unleashed a fiery tirade on social media, accusing the NBL’s MVP voting system of being rigged against him. But here’s where it gets controversial: after losing the award by a mere two votes, Davis claims the system is biased, sparking a debate that’s dividing fans and pundits alike. Could he be onto something, or is this just sour grapes? Let’s dive in.
For the third consecutive season—and the sixth time in his career—Adelaide 36ers’ Bryce Cotton secured the Andrew Gaze MVP Award, leaving Davis as the runner-up for the second year in a row. The margin? Cotton’s 96 votes to Davis’s 94. And this is the part most people miss: if just one vote had swung the other way, we’d be looking at a tie. Talk about a nail-biter.
Both point guards led their teams to the top of the NBL ladder, with stats that were nearly indistinguishable. Cotton averaged 25.7 points per game compared to Davis’s 24.4, but Davis outperformed in efficiency, shooting 48% from the field versus Cotton’s 44%. Davis also edged out Cotton in rebounds (3.9 to 3.6), while Cotton led in assists (7.6 to 6.7) and steals (1.8 to 1.1). So, why did Cotton take the crown? Davis isn’t holding back.
In an Instagram Live video, the 26-year-old called out long-time NBL commentator John Casey, demanding transparency in the voting process. ‘Let’s see who voted for who,’ Davis challenged, drawing parallels to the NBA’s open system. ‘Put my stats against his, take our faces off, and let the NBA decide. I guarantee I come out on top,’ he declared. Bold words, but are they backed by truth?
Davis didn’t stop there. He accused the NBL of political bias, claiming they ‘didn’t want me to win from the get-go.’ He even referenced earlier criticism from the league, alleging it was part of a smear campaign. ‘It’s all political,’ he told The Daily Telegraph. ‘He (Cotton) won a popularity contest. They found every reason not to give it to me.’
Cotton, meanwhile, took the high road when asked about the rant at the NBL finals press conference. ‘I was too busy paying for everybody’s drinks, so I didn’t catch everything that was said,’ he quipped, refusing to fan the flames.
Here’s the kicker: MVP votes are cast by each club’s head coach and captain, with rules prohibiting voting for players from your own team. Kristian Doolittle (Perth Wildcats) and Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix) tied for third with 59 votes each. But Davis’s gripe isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about fairness. ‘I want it to be fair,’ he insisted.
As Davis and the Kings prepare to face the winner of the play-in games next month, and Cotton’s 36ers gear up for their own semifinal showdown, the debate rages on. Was Davis robbed, or is he overreacting? What do you think? Is the NBL’s MVP voting system flawed, or is Davis simply a sore loser? Sound off in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
