The MVP race is now only between two players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. After Jokic’s recent performance in a loss against Minnesota, many would assume the race would be close. After all, the Nuggets center had a 60-point triple-double! Clearly, though, voters value winning more, as the most recent straw poll shows the Thunder star leading by a large margin.
It is also no surprise that Shai leads by this much. He is having a historic season alongside Nikola and is doing something we have not seen since Michael Jordan. There are many reasons why he should win the award, but only three are needed for his case.
3 Reasons Shai is the 2025 MVP
Winning Does Matter
Winning matters when it comes to deciding who should win MVP. There is only one player in the league who is winning the most and putting up a historic season: Shai. It helps that his team is having a historic season when it comes to defensive stats and net rating, but this all would not be possible without their leader, Gilgeous-Alexander. He mans the helm for this Thunder squad and is always the go-to option late in games. Why? Because they know he is a winner.
They have other options like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, but the adversity SGA has gone through this season is what separates his team’s record from others. Shai has missed three games this season; his counterparts have not been so lucky. Chet has missed 48, Ajay Mitchell has missed 41, Alex Caruso missed 24 games, and the list goes even further. This team has missed many players due to injury but still wins because of one man, Shai.
Defense Wins Championships
The Thunder are one of the best defensive teams of all time. This is not biased, but statistically, it is a true statement. Their net rating helps prove this, as they are tied with the legendary 1995-96 Chicago Bulls at 13.4. Oklahoma City would not be in this kind of conversation without their defensive rating. The Thunder have a defensive rating of 107 this season and have the most steals this year by a team as well. Who has the most steals on the Thunder, and ranks second for most steals in the NBA? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
He officially solidified himself as one of the best two-way players in the league this season. His defense took a giant leap, and he is even a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Even though this award should go to his teammate and fellow Canadian Luguentz Dort, it is impressive that he is on the list. Shai also leads his team in blocks with 73.
Other Players Know He Is the MVP
The MVP race used to be extremely close, but now other players are saying Shai should win it. That helped push his case ahead and gave him the advantage in the final straw poll. Tyrese Haliburton was the most recent player to name SGA as MVP. His reasoning also makes a ton of sense, mentioning that the best player on the best team should win it.
With other players now on his side, the case for SGA is stronger than ever. Once players voice their opinions, the national media becomes involved. This only strengthens his case in the eyes of fans and voters. The stats show he is the MVP, and now everyone can see that, thanks to other players. Plus, if most league players support you and you do not win, it calls for some concerns with the voters.
Voters respect players’ opinions, and if they say Shai is the MVP, then he is the MVP. The polls show that. With only days left in the season, it seems that Shai has it wrapped up, and these three reasons explain why.
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