
This yr’s NBA MVP race is extensively seen as a contest between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the OKC Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Whereas there is not any outlined set of standards for the award and it finally comes right down to the alternatives of the voting panel, each gamers have offered compelling circumstances.
One argument for MVP typically favors the highest participant on one of the best workforce, a story that matches Gilgeous-Alexander. Nevertheless, Jokic — who’s averaging a triple-double and arguably having his greatest particular person season but regardless of being a three-time MVP winner — has additionally constructed a powerful argument.
Stat Mamba on X (previously Twitter) identified that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA in factors per recreation for a workforce that has received at the very least 65 video games in a season. This follows the OKC Thunder’s 136-120 victory over the LA Lakers on Tuesday, which improved their document to 65-14.
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The stat confirmed that Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32.7 factors per recreation topped the record, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971 (31.7 ppg), James Harden in 2018 (30.4 ppg), Michael Jordan in 1996 (30.4 ppg) and Steph Curry in 2016 and Jordan in 1992 (each at 30.1 ppg).
All of the gamers trailing Gilgeous-Alexander in that record went on to win MVP in these seasons.
ESPN’s MVP straw ballot predicts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will edge out Nikola Jokic for first MVP
ESPN conducts an MVP straw ballot that simulates the NBA’s voting course of.
Within the newest straw ballot, launched earlier this month, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander acquired 77 first-place votes and 23 second-place votes, incomes a complete of 931 factors. Nikola Jokic acquired all of the first- and second-place votes Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t get and amassed 769 factors for second place.
Giannis Antetokounmpo got here in third with 53 third-place votes, 37 fourth-place votes and 5 fifth-place votes for 381 factors, adopted by Jayson Tatum in fourth with 41 third-place votes, 51 fourth-place votes and 5 fifth-place votes for 363 factors.
The MVP race is closely influenced by recognition, with voters factoring in each statistics and the narrative round every participant’s efficiency. Nevertheless, there are not any inflexible standards for selecting the winner, as varied parts like particular person stats, the participant’s position on one of the best workforce and extra all come into play.