The 2024–25 NBA MVP race has
been one of the most compelling in recent years. This discussion
has proven to be a two-man race between Nikola Jokic, the Denver
Nuggets’ maestro of efficiency and triple-doubles, and Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander, the engine powering the Oklahoma City Thunder’s
stunning rise to the top of the league.
Despite the 3-time MVP Jokic
continuing to post staggering numbers and lead the Denver Nuggets
to relative success, this season however, there’s an argument to be
made that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves the MVP more than any
other player.
While both superstars are
delivering historically great seasons, SGA not only has established
himself as one of the premier scorers in the league, but his
leadership, efficiency, and two-way play have been crucial in
leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best record in the
NBA.
This isn’t to discredit what
Jokić has accomplished – he’s been outstanding once again for the
5th year in a row. But this season, SGA’s production, leadership,
two-way dominance, and the historic heights he’s lifted his team
make him a solid choice for this year’s plum.
Statistical Dominance
Not only is Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander leading the NBA in scoring with an
impressive 32.7 PPGbut he’s doing so with a level of efficiency
that makes his production even more remarkable. His
64.5 TS% (True
Shooting Percentage) (measuring shooting efficiency by accounting
for both field goals and free throws) is the second-best in NBA
history for a player averaging over 32 PPG. This efficiency level
places him in rare air, joining only the likes of Wilt Chamberlain
and LeBron James as players who’ve managed such remarkable numbers
over an entire season. This ability to score efficiently while
still putting up high-volume numbers highlights SGA’s incredible
skill as a scorer.
What further bolsters his MVP
case is his consistency. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance
streaks are jaw-dropping, as he is now only the 7th
player in NBA history to record 60 consecutive games of 20 or more
pointsan achievement
that emphasizes his reliability as a go-to scorer night in and
night out. To put that into perspective, only players like Wilt
Chamberlain (twice), Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant have accomplished such
a feat. This level of sustained excellence, coupled with the fact
that SGA has done this while playing on a young, evolving team,
truly sets him apart as a player who not only shows up every night
but consistently delivers when his team needs him most.
Beyond scoring, SGA has been a
clutch performer. Gilgeous-Alexander is the go-to player for
Oklahoma City both in blowout and tight games, and his ability to
deliver in those moments has been nothing short of remarkable. His
clutch statistics place him in the upper echelon of the league’s
elite finishers, reinforcing the value he brings to his team when
the stakes are highest.
Defensive and Advanced Metrics
SGA’s impact on the defensive
end has been equally impressive. Not only is he
second in the league in stealsshowcasing his ability to disrupt passing
lanes and create fast-break opportunities, but he’s also
first among guards in blocksshowing his ability to protect the rim and
provide crucial defense in the paint. His defensive versatility has
been a game-changer for Oklahoma City, allowing him to guard
multiple positions and provide a two-way presence that’s rare for a
player of his offensive caliber. Beyond the raw stats, SGA’s
defensive metrics, including his Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM),
demonstrate his value in stopping opponents and contributing to one
of the league’s top defenses.
Perhaps the most striking aspect
of his impact is how advanced analytics highlight his all-around
value. He leads the league in EPM (Estimated Plus-Minus) and EW
(Estimated Wins), which are advanced metrics that measure a
player’s overall contribution to his team’s success. His offensive
EPM ranks first, while his defensive EPM is 95th percentile, an
incredible feat for a player known primarily for his offensive
output. These metrics are crucial, as they show that SGA’s
influence transcends traditional statistics. SGA is not just a
scorer; he is making a difference across all facets of the
game.
Team Impact and Leadership
As the best player on the
Oklahoma City Thunder, SGA has led them to an
16-game lead in the Western Conference
over the 2nd place Houston Rockets.
This is a truly remarkable feat considering the team’s relative
inexperience and youth. The Thunder’s net rating of
12.8 when he’s on the
court is the second best net rating of all-time, just behind the
1995-1996 Chicago Bulls.
What’s even more impressive is
that SGA has done all of this without Chet Holmgren for most of the
season, who was out 50 games due to injury. Additionally, key
pieces like Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Alex
Caruso have all missed games of their own across the season. SGA’s
leadership has been the driving force behind their success, and his
ability to elevate his teammates — particularly in high-pressure
moments — has been a testament to his basketball IQ and
maturity.
In addition to his on-court
contributions, SGA’s leadership qualities have been crucial in
developing the Thunder’s young core. His ability to be a vocal
leader, mentor to younger players, and lead by example has fostered
an environment of growth and success in Oklahoma
City.
On this historic race against Jokic
It’s important to note that
Jokic is also having another historically good season and is
certainly worthy of MVP consideration. His triple-double averages
and ability to dominate games in every aspect of play make him one
of the most well-rounded players the NBA has ever seen. However,
while Jokić’s individual brilliance is undeniable, what sets Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander apart this season is the way he has led his team
to unprecedented success despite being on a much younger, less
experienced roster. While Jokić is the undisputed leader of the
Nuggets and already a 3-time NBA MVP. SGA has carried a relatively
young team that was expected to be 1-2 years away from title
contention to the best record in the league. Both players are
extraordinary, but SGA’s impact on the overall success of his team
this season alone should give him the edge.
Additionally, while Jokić’s
advanced stats are historically great (averaging a triple-double
with 29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG, and 10.2 APG and ranking all in top 3 of
each of those categories), SGA’s contributions have been equally,
if not more, impressive given the context of his team’s
development. Jokić’s ability to elevate his teammates with his
unique playmaking is undeniable, but SGA’s leadership and
all-around contributions have propelled the Thunder to an
incredible level, with their 16-game lead in the Western Conference
serving as the clearest testament to his importance.
– – –
In a season where we’ve
witnessed incredible performances across the league from both
players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rose to the top along with OKC. If
this was any other season in place, Jokic could have been easily a
unanimous choice for the award.
But this year, whether it’s
scoring efficiently, leading his team, or providing defensive
versatility, SGA has done it all. His case for MVP is not just
based on impressive statistics — it’s about the way he has shaped
the identity of the Oklahoma City Thunder, bringing them to the
forefront of NBA contention. From his historic scoring streak to
his defensive contributions, there’s no doubt that this is the
season where SGA has established himself as the most valuable
player in the NBA.
