Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are going toe-to-toe for the right to claim this season’s MVP award.
Leading the Oklahoma City Thunder atop the entire league with a superb 44-10 record despite the long absence of co-star Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on a mission to claim the prized award that will highlight his superstar ascension. The Canadian sensation is on a roll this year, topping the NBA in points with 32.5 with 6.1 assists, 5.1 boards, and 1.9 steals.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic is demonstrating yet another mind-blowing individual season. Averaging a triple-double with 29.8 points, 12.6 boards, and 10.2 assists, the Denver Nuggets great offers a compelling case to win a three-peat MVP feat.
Out of the ongoing marquee competition for the NBA MVP award, the general odds are relatively favoring Gilgeous-Alexander to bring home the trophy largely because of his impact on Oklahoma City’s success.
But in the eyes of Aaron Gordon, it’s dubious to think that there’s still even a race going on for the hardware as he thinks Jokic easily takes the crown from the metrics and statistical standpoint.
In his recent appearance on Run It Back, Gordon strongly campaigned for his Nuggets teammate and details why he believes Jokic should be at the front of the MVP discussion.
“You see the plus-minus when he’s on the floor and when he’s off the floor? It’s by far, the best team in the league when he’s on the floor. And it’s ugly the other way around, as far as the statistics or like as far as plus-minus,” Gordon said.
“[Jokic] got MVP last year, he’s better this year. All of his numbers are up. He’s shooting the ball better. He’s averaging a triple-double. His numbers are better than Shai’s. I get they’re on a winning team but come on bro. He’s doing it with 12 rebounds and 10 assists. What are we looking at? We’re looking at one of the most ridiculous [seasons].
“I don’t think it’s as close as people are making it.”
It’s literally crazy to think that Jokic’s numbers improved tremendously this year compared to what he had from the past couple of seasons. He is slated to become the first player since Russell Westbrook, whom he shares the court right now in Denver, to average a triple-double in a single season.
That alone should at least warrant the Serbian phenom another MVP trophy. And combined with the fact that the Nuggets are doing great as well under his lead as the current No. 3 team in the West with 36 wins, his argument couldn’t be more robust.
Should Jokic fail to win it this year, that perhaps could be attributed to voter fatigue as he has been the reigning and undisputed best player in the world already.
Yet at the end of the day, Gilgeous-Alexander winning the MVP shouldn’t dismiss the fact that he deserves it for being the best player of the best team in the NBA.
