Why this award sparks controversy, redefines legacy, and demands a closer look at the NBA’s MVP criteria
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has been crowned the 2025 NBA MVP, but the announcement has ignited fiery debates across basketball forums like Reddit. While some celebrate his historic season, others question whether Nikola Jokić’s statistical dominance was unfairly overlooked. Let’s dissect the layers of this debate, explore SGA’s meteoric rise, and unpack why this MVP race is a microcosm of larger NBA narratives.
The Case for SGA: Team Supremacy and All-Around Excellence
Historic Team Success
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder finished the regular season with a 68-14 record, the best in franchise history and tied for the sixth-most wins in NBA history. Their +12.9 point differential shattered a 53-year-old record previously held by the 1971-72 Lakers . This team dominance became the cornerstone of SGA’s MVP case, as voters historically favor leaders of elite squads. For context, only Michael Jordan (1995-96 Bulls) and Stephen Curry (2015-16 Warriors) had previously averaged 30+ points for teams with 68+ wins .
Unmatched Scoring and Efficiency
SGA led the NBA in scoring (32.7 PPG) while shooting 51.9% from the field, 37.5% from three, and 89.8% from the free-throw line—elite efficiency for a high-volume scorer . He also joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average 32+ points, 6+ assists, and 5+ rebounds with 50%+ shooting . His 601 made free throws (NBA-best) and 163 three-pointers (career-high) showcased his evolution into a multifaceted threat .
Defensive Impact
Critics often overlook SGA’s two-way dominance. He ranked 5th in steals (1.7 SPG) and was the only guard to average 1.5+ steals and 1.0+ blocks, anchoring the Thunder’s top-ranked defense . His 208 combined steals and blocks trailed only Victor Wembanyama and Dyson Daniels league-wide .
Leadership and Clutch Gene
Beyond stats, SGA’s leadership transformed the Thunder from a 22-win rebuild in 2021 to a title contender. His 72-game streak of 20+ points (second-longest since 1964) and 13 games of 40+ points underscored his reliability . Teammates even received Rolex watches as tokens of gratitude for their role in his MVP campaign—a gesture highlighting his team-first mentality .
The Jokić Counterargument: A Historic Snub?
Triple-Double Machine
Nikola Jokić averaged a 29.6-point triple-double (12.7 RPG, 10.2 APG)—a feat no center had ever achieved. He also led the league in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and became the first player to rank top-three in points, rebounds, and assists simultaneously .
Denver’s Struggles
However, the Nuggets’ 50-32 record paled next to OKC’s dominance. Denver’s defense plummeted to 21st after losing key role players, and a late-season coaching shakeup (firing Michael Malone) raised questions about their stability . Voters historically penalize candidates from lower-seeded teams; only Moses Malone (1982) won MVP for a sub-50-win squad .
The Advanced Stats Paradox
Jokić’s advanced metrics (PER, VORP) outpaced SGA’s, reigniting the debate: Should MVP prioritize individual brilliance or team success? SGA’s supporters argue that his leadership elevated OKC’s roster of young talent (e.g., Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams), while Jokić’s backers claim his statistical rarity deserved recognition regardless of team record .
The Thunder’s Rebuild: A Blueprint for Small Markets
SGA’s MVP is a testament to Oklahoma City’s visionary rebuild. Acquired in the 2019 Paul George trade, he blossomed under GM Sam Presti’s patient strategy. The Thunder now boast three homegrown MVPs (Durant, Westbrook, SGA) and a fourth (James Harden) drafted but traded—a feat unmatched by any franchise since 2008 .
Presti’s emphasis on drafting (Chet Holmgren) and development (SGA’s mid-range mastery, honed under Chris Paul’s mentorship) has redefined small-market success . Yet, the Thunder’s lack of championships looms large. Can SGA avoid Durant and Westbrook’s fate and deliver a title?
International Dominance and the Decline of U.S.-Born MVPs
SGA’s win extends the NBA’s international MVP streak to seven years, with Giannis, Jokić, and Embiid preceding him. Since Steve Nash’s back-to-back wins (2005-06), only two Americans (Curry, Harden) have claimed the award . This shift reflects the globalization of basketball but also raises questions about the U.S. development system’s ability to produce transcendent talent.
The Lingering Questions
- Team Success vs. Individual Greatness: Is Jokić’s historic season more “valuable” than SGA’s role in a 68-win juggernaut?
- Legacy Building: Can SGA join Jordan and Curry as MVPs who won titles in the same season?
- Small-Market Sustainability: Will OKC’s model inspire teams to prioritize drafting over superteams?
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for the NBA
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP is more than an individual accolade—it’s a referendum on how we evaluate greatness. His combination of efficiency, leadership, and team success sets a new standard, while Jokić’s snub underscores the award’s subjectivity. For Thunder fans, this is validation; for skeptics, fuel for debate. One thing is clear: The NBA’s future is global, nuanced, and fiercely competitive.
Want to dive deeper into the stats, controversies, and behind-the-scenes stories? Keep reading—we’re just scratching the surface.
