As the NBA season comes to a close, there is a battle for league MVP that is closer than usual. There are four candidates that could reasonably end up with the trophy, starting of with Thunder Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is the reigning MVP, and has averaged 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists on one of the most efficient scoring seasons of all-time alongside great perimeter defense and leading the Thunder to the best record in the NBA. The argument against Shai is mostly based on his style of play of being a bit of an actor and drawing fouls way more than the other candidates.
Another top tier candidate is Spurs Center Victor Wembanyama. He stands at a towering 7-4, averaging 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks a game. He has turned the Spurs from a non-playoff team into the second seed in the west. However, Wembanyama averages the least amount of points as well as minutes a game, and if he doesn’t come home with the trophy that could be why.
Three-time MVP Center Nikola Jokic is in the running for a fourth and is one of the best offensive players of all-time. Jokic is yet again averaging a triple-double, with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Unfortunately for him, the Nuggets currently sit fourth in the western conference, and Jokic lacks the defensive capability of a player like SGA or Wembanyama.
Lastly, with a slim outside chance at the trophy is Lakers Guard Luka Doncic. He has been on the precipice of his first MVP multiple times, but lost to Jokic or Joel Embiid. He leads the league in points, with 33 per game, alongside 8 rebounds and 8 assists. However, Doncic’s lack of effort on the defensive side of the ball has pointed many voters the wrong way, and he just got a hamstring injury in a game against the Thunder which will cause him to miss the last five games of the season, ending any last ditch chances to improve his case. -Jack Dusek