Gasol led the NBA with 54 double-doubles in his first season in Chicago and averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds in helping the Bulls to a 50-32 record and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. They have a 2-0 lead over Milwaukee in their first-round series.
Gasol beat out finalists Stephen Curry of Golden State, LeBron James of Cleveland, Manu Ginobili of San Antonio and Damian Lillard of Portland on Wednesday.
The PBWA created the award that is named for the Lakers Hall of Famer in 2001. Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki won last year.