As the MVP race heats up this season, two standout players are catching everyone’s attention: Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Recently, Jokic has shown some impressive performances, raising questions about his chances against Gilgeous-Alexander. However, Jason Timpf offers a different perspective.
On the “Hoops Tonight” podcast, Timpf shared that while Jokic might be the more skilled player on paper, Gilgeous-Alexander’s influence on the Oklahoma City Thunder is unparalleled. Timpf argues this season’s MVP is Gilgeous-Alexander’s to lose.
In a tweet, Hoops Tonight expressed that, despite not being dubbed the “best player in the league,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves MVP recognition.
Looking at the standings, the Thunder are undeniably dominant, boasting a 53-11 record, leading the Western Conference. In contrast, the Denver Nuggets are at 41-23, holding the third seed. Central to both team’s successes are their respective stars, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, each critical to their team’s performance.
Comparing stats, Jokic is delivering an impressive 28.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander answers with 32.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. Determining who impacts their team more is challenging, yet the Thunder’s superior record, bolstered by Gilgeous-Alexander, strengthens his MVP bid.
Moreover, with Jokic having already clinched the MVP title three times, there’s speculation that voters might lean towards lauding a new contender. Regardless of how the final vote turns out, this year’s MVP race is remarkable, showcasing two athletes fully in their stride.
