As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches its conclusion, the competition for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award has intensified. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic leading the pack, analysts from ESPN have weighed in on who deserves the prestigious honor this year.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has propelled his team to stellar heights, recently making history as they became the first team to reach 60 wins. Averaging more than 32 points per game, his scoring prowess, combined with a strong overall performance, positions him as a formidable MVP candidate, capturing the attention of both fans and experts alike.
On the other hand, Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ center and three-time MVP winner, continues to demonstrate exceptional skills and efficiency. Despite recent injury issues, he remains a crucial player for the Nuggets, and his ability to impact games with impressive statistics makes him a constant contender in this year’s race.
ESPN analysts have noted that while both players boast compelling cases, the edge seems to lean towards Gilgeous-Alexander. His contributions extend beyond scoring, as he influences games in multiple ways and has led his team to the best record in the league. Circumstances like these often sway MVP votes towards a player on a high-performing team.
ESPN Analysts Side With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as This Season’s MVP
As it stands, Gilgeous-Alexander is the heavy favorite to win MVP this season. This is detailed more in an analysis by done by several league experts for ESPN.
“SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder have been on a dominant path all season, lapping the field in an extraordinarily tight Western Conference while Gilgeous-Alexander is on pace to win the scoring title and is near the top of the leaderboards in most of the advanced metrics. He’s been the favorite for some time, and this feels like his year to be crowned,” Jamal Collier said.
Additionally, the narrative of Gilgeous-Alexander chasing his first MVP title adds to his appeal. As a player yet to win this accolade, he garners sympathy and excitement, especially since hardly any player with such a significant scoring title has failed to secure the MVP in the past.
As the season nears its end, the battle for the MVP award between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic is arguably one of the most captivating storylines in the league. With experts weighing in heavily in favor of Gilgeous-Alexander, the coming weeks will determine if he can solidify his place as the 2024-25 MVP.
For More Great Basketball Content
Follow me on Twitter at @BeatKit22 and follow us @HardwoodHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional sports, click here!
