Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making a statement for the NBA Most Valuable Player award. Although he is only a runner-up at best – not even on the top 5 – SGA might be this year’s dark horse. With how excellent he is with the ball, there’s no denying that Gilgeous-Alexander is a future MVP. Thus, let’s discuss how he can win the season MVP.
OKC Thunder’s franchise player is right under their noses
Thanks to Sam Presti (OKC Thunder GM), they have secured tons of draft picks to rebuild after the Westbrook era in Oklahoma. Somehow, they found gems in various draft classes like Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Shai himself. OKC is also one of the teams that looks like they want the French stud, Victor Wembanyama on their team. Well, we can’t blame them since Wembanyama is a generational talent and a freak of nature. However, the front office doesn’t seem to understand that they have already found what they are looking for – a new centerpiece for the team.
Truthfully, SGA is a deadly scorer with his career-high average of 30.7 points per game. Plus, he is shooting the ball pretty well. Shai is surely an All-Star this season with how great he is on par with other guards in the west.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s claim to the MVP
Despite having a tremendous season, Shai’s Thunder is still at the bottom of the Western Conference. But, if you look closely, it’s a very tight competition from the 3rd to 12th seed team. Just losing one game could bring a team’s ranking to the bottom.
Although Shai is obviously getting a nod to the All-Star game this year, he is still not in MVP talks. There are guys better than him today like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and more. But, he could make a case for future MVP if:
- He brings the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs this season
- His team secures a 5th seed or higher in the coming years plus he continues his level of play or even gets better
- He becomes the undeniable franchise player of OKC despite having the 2022 2nd overall pick Chet Holmgren.
- Just like Jokic, he must clearly make his team better especially when he is on the floor.
SGA is just 24 years old and he is just entering his prime. He will be an All-Star this season and this might just be his breakout year. Indeed he is far from the likes of Jokic, Doncic, or Antetokounmpo, but he is already right behind them. One thing that’s very interesting about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is that he is extremely consistent. He is averaging almost 31 points a night and he truly puts everything he’s got on the court.
NBA KIA MVP Ladder
Once again, the Serbian big man Nikola Jokic is leading the MVP ladder this season. He just won the award on two straight occasions (2021, 2022) and he is already looking at his 3rd. This means that, if he wins it in a back-to-back-to-back season, Jokic will be joining Larry Bird, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to win it in three-straight times.
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Just behind him is Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s going to be a tight battle for the trophy but with Jokic leading the Denver Nuggets at the no.1 seed in a very tight Western Conference, his competitors might find it very difficult to climb that ladder further.
Do you believe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will win the Michael Jordan Trophy (MVP) in the future? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.
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