Seventh heaven: What another MVP would mean for Cotton's legacy

The Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season looms as a historic one for not only the League, but also Adelaide 36ers superstar Bryce Cotton.

After edging Sydney's Kendric Davis for the 2025-26 Andrew Gaze Trophy, Cotton now has six MVP awards in his collection.

That total is one short of the all-time record holder Gaze, who won seven during his incredible career.

During Monday's episode of NBL Overtime, the panel discussed if the chase for a seventh MVP award would be Cotton's main driving factor this season.

"During his time in the League, Bryce Cotton has risen to every single challenge that's been presented and proved [himself]," Felix Von Hofe said on NBL Overtime.

"Now you've got the media hyping up Cole Anthony; an NBA star coming to town, [who's] 26 years old, [who they're saying] is going to dominate the league and win MVP.

"Kendric Davis is a year older, a year wiser; he's going to be a little smarter, he's going to be coming back better.

"Every single time someone has tried to come for this guy's throne, he's proven them wrong and gone to another level."

Echoing Von Hofe's sentiments is fellow panellist Pete Hooley.

"In the old Michael Jordan documentaries, he sat down after he retired and was basically [saying] there's nothing more to challenge him; that's why he retired," Hooley said.

"I look at Bryce Cotton, who's never openly talked about what motivates him.

"He's already won [three] championships, and won six MVPs, so what's the next thing?

"The fact that he can win seven MVPs and tie Gaze, that's going to motivate him.

"He will never come out and say it, but that's going to motivate him to go to another level because you're always looking [for what's next].

"If he stops now, he's one of the greatest we've ever seen. So, what keeps driving him? It's winning a championship, and potentially winning another MVP.

"[As such] I think we'll get another level of Bryce Cotton."

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NBL champion Damon Lowery, however, isn't buying the MVP narrative.

"I think the MVP is irrelevant to Bryce's legacy," he said.

"You guys want to make it petty like that? [Gaze's] got seven, and [Cotton] got six.

"I'm sure he will take it if you give it to him, but you don't play the season to win MVPs. You play to win championships. That's what that man wants."

Hooley agrees Cotton is chasing that elusive championship after last season's near-miss against Sydney - but he doesn't see the two goals as separate.

"Championships and playing at an MVP-level go hand in hand for Bryce," he said.

The 36ers open their NBL27 campaign on Saturday, September 19 against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena, live on 9Go! and ESPN from 7.30pm AEST.