Now that the season’s wrapping up, a lot of people are starting to look at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the clear front-runner for MVP. And honestly, it makes sense—he’s been incredible all year. But at the same time, there’s still a big group of fans and analysts pushing for Jokic, and you can’t really blame them either. The guy’s putting up numbers that almost don’t seem real. He’s averaging a triple-double on crazy efficiency, and the way he runs the Nuggets’ offense as a big man is something we’ve never really seen before. He’s clearly one of the most unique and valuable players in the league.

That said, I still think SGA deserves the award this year. It’s not just about the stats, though his numbers are elite too—it’s about the overall impact. He’s been the heart and soul of that Thunder team, leading them to one of the best records in the West, and doing it while being locked in on both ends of the court. On offense, he’s getting buckets whenever he wants, creating for teammates, and showing up in the clutch. And on defense, he’s giving max effort every possession, consistently creating turnovers, disrupting passing lanes, and taking on tough assignments. He’s been one of the best two-way guards in the league this season, no question.

What makes it even more impressive is that OKC wasn’t expected to be this good this fast. They’re a young team, and SGA has stepped up as the clear leader. He sets the tone every night with his poise, his work ethic, and the way he carries himself on and off the court. MVP shouldn’t just go to the guy with the best box score—it should go to the player who’s meant the most to his team, and in my opinion, that’s SGA this year. Jokic is amazing, no doubt. But Shai’s two-way dominance, leadership, and the Thunder’s success all point to him being the most valuable player in the league this season.