Picture by William Purnell/Getty Pictures
Though we might agree with the consensus that three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic stays the perfect participant on the planet, the MVP award is reserved for the highest common season performer and in 2024-25, that has been none aside from Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA in scoring this season at 32.7 factors per sport, to go along with his 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks on 51.9/37.5/89.8 % capturing splits. The previous Kentucky standout additionally leads the league in nightly made free throws at 7.9. The advanced analytics additionally extremely charge Gilgeous-Alexander’s manufacturing this season, with SGA rating first in Win Shares per 48 Minutes (WS/48) whereas sitting second in Field Plus/Minus (BPM) and Worth Over Alternative Participant (VORP).
In fact, the detractors can level to the truth that Jokic himself has been spectacular as soon as extra in 2024-25, rating first in BPM and VORP, and second in WS/48, whereas trying to change into simply the third participant in league historical past to common a triple-double for a full season. The Serbian celebrity is placing up 30.0 factors, 12.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists to go together with 1.8 steals on 57.7 % capturing from the ground, and 41.5 % from three. Statistically, that is perhaps the best non-Wilt season ever. (BPM has it No. 2 in that regard, behind solely Jokic’s masterful 2021-22 season.)
Even so, when taking the complete image under consideration – crew information (the Nuggets simply fired championship-winning head coach Michael Malone because the crew sits at 47-32 whereas OKC has the perfect report within the NBA at 65-14), protection, Gilgeous-Alexander being an offensive power all unto himself, in addition to video games performed (SGA has 9 extra video games performed than Jokic in ‘25) – that left us with Gilgeous-Alexander because the MVP for 2024-25.
Full vote
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2. Nikola Jokic
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Anthony Edwards
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Donovan Mitchell