Who deserves MVP: Shai or Jokic? 

Graham Wilker 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most valuable player in basketball. It really is as simple as that. What Nikola Jokic is doing right now cannot be understated, averaging a triple double is not an easy feat. Nonetheless, Shai is better. Looking at the stats, SGA plays. The Oklahoma City point guard has played 67 games, one of only three top twenty scorers to hit that mark (Anthony Edwards and Tyler Herro) making his 33/5/6 average even more impressive: he averages more points in less minutes than Jokic. Furthermore, he leads the league in plus minus. The tendency of MVP candidate guards to not play defense is broken with Shai: he averages as many blocks as the 6’11” center, and more steals per game. While Jokic’s numbers regarding efficiency may seem slightly better on the surface, that’s not entirely the case: Shai is entrusted to take more shots from beyond the arc which leads to a slight defect in three-point percentage. He takes 1-2 more than Jokic does per game, while being still being more effective at the line by 10%. Given each team’s number two (Jalen Williams and Jamal Murray) having shockingly similar numbers, let’s look at each team’s third scoring option. Michael Porter Jr. ranks 50th in PPG, while Christian Braun (66th) and Russell Westbrook (86th) also contribute with 15 and 13 a game respectively. 106th ranked Aaron Wiggins is the third most effective scorer in Oklahoma City, meaning that options three, four, and five for Denver would be top three scorers next to SGA and Jalen Williams. With 12 games to go, SGA’s Thunder already clinched the one seed in the West, with Jokic and company 14 games behind in the W column. Think what you want: maybe for you Nikola Jokic is the best basketball player on the planet. That’s not the name of the award. MVP: Most Valuable Player. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most valuable player in the NBA. 

Seth Wallen  

Nikola Jokic is in the midst of an MVP season, a feat that’s truly awe-inspiring. His average of 29.1 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.3 assists is nothing short of remarkable. He’s second in assists per game, trailing only Trae Young, and third in rebounds per game, behind Domantas Sabonis and Karl Anthony Towns. If he maintains these numbers, he could become the first player in NBA history to average 10 rebounds and 10 assists while committing less than four turnovers. This is not just generational stuff, it’s historical.  

When it comes to the MVP discussion, advanced statistics carry a lot of weight. For instance, the ON/OFF Ent rating reveals the significant impact of Jokic’s presence on the Nuggets. Without him, they struggle with a -10.9 rating, but with him, they soar to a +12.2 in net rating. That’s a staggering +23.2 swing.   

In comparison, Thunder’s net rating is still positive without SGA (+5.7) and with him (+16.6, a net swing of +10.5). Jokic’s absence is truly felt. He’s also achieving statistical feats we’ve never seen before— like his 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 20 assists against the Suns, a performance that’s never been matched in NBA history.  

The Denver Nuggets squad has been much more inconsistent, especially this year with the team banking on Nikola Jokic’s generational play. Despite the team’s ups and downs, Jokic has consistently delivered outstanding performances, demonstrating his ability to carry the team. His offensive prowess is better than before, compared to the likes of 2021 Kevin Durant, and he’s one of only three players to put up at least 28 points and 10 assists in a season; the others being Russell Westbrook and James Harden.  

The only argument against him is voter fatigue—his success and level of play are so constant and expected that people have become numb to success. He’s won 3 MVPs up to this point, and he’s on track to win again. However, it’s important to note that voter fatigue should not detract from Jokic’s exceptional performance this season, which clearly sets him apart as a top MVP candidate.   

Featured photo by Joshua Rodriguez/Unsplash