The new year has barely started when it is time to take a new look at our traditional MVP race which, as mid-season approaches, changes leader.
Thus, it is no longer Nikola Jokic who is in our favor but Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderbecause with his “Jordan-esque” statistics and his more than 80% victory rate with the Thunder, it just seemed impossible to us not to place him at the top of the podium.
In the footsteps of Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade
Recently voted “Player of the Week” and “Player of the Month” in the West, the Canadian is on a roll, scoring more than 35 points since Chet Holmgren's injury. Generally around the 30-35 points bracket, the ultra regular and metronomic “SGA” allows itself to go above 40 points more often (by also creating more than 6 passes per evening)!
All while still having maximum efficiency (53% shooting, 36% 3-pointers and 89% free throws, etc.), in order to further strengthen its candidacy which, unlike that of some of its rivals, does not suffer any fragility in defense (2.0 interceptions and 1.1 against)…
And when we look at the players who, one day, managed to complete a season with at least 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block on average, we see that they are only… two to the 'have done. In this case, it is Michael Jordan (three times in 1987, 1988 then 1991) and Dwyane Wade (in 2009).
Steve Nash's future successor?
With his 31.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.0 interceptions and 1.1 blocks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is therefore starting on the basis of a rare season, especially since he has for him to be even more efficient in shooting that “MJ” and “Flash” with its 58% at “ L'effective field goal percentage (eFG%)” and, above all, its 64% in “ true shooting percentage (TS%)”.
Almost twenty years after the first of Steve Nash's two consecutive coronations, another Canadian could therefore establish himself as the best player in the league, even if a Serb and a Greek, or even an American or a Dominican, understand it well. to prevent.
As it stands, it seems that only Nikola Jokic has the profile of the spoilsport, because his level of play is breathtaking and he is unanimously (or almost) considered the best basketball player on the planet. But the balance sheet can play tricks on him, as well as this famous “narrative” whichfor several weeks, has leaned in favor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
RACE FOR MVP 2025: OUR TOP 5
1 – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
Summary: 29 wins, 5 losses – 1st in the West.
Matches: 34 disputed out of 34 possible.
Stats: 31.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 6.1 pads, 2.0 int, 1.1 ctr and 2.6 pdb in 34 min.
Percentages: 53% on shots, including 36% on 3-pointers, and 89% on throws.
2 – Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Summary: 19 wins, 14 losses – 5th in the West.
Matches: 30 disputed out of 33 possible.
Stats: 31.0 pts, 13.2 reb, 9.7 pads, 1.7 int, 0.6 ctr and 3.3 pdb in 37 min.
Percentages: 55% on shots, including 48% on 3-pointers, and 81% on throws.
3 – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Summary: 17 wins, 15 losses – 5th in the East.
Matches: 26 disputed out of 32 possible.
Stats: 32.4 pts, 11.7 reb, 6.0 pads, 0.8 int, 1.5 ctr and 3.3 pdb in 35 min.
Percentages: 61% on shots, including 22% on 3-pointers, and 60% on throws.
4 – Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
Summary: 26 wins, 9 losses – 2nd in the East.
Matches: 32 disputed out of 35 possible.
Stats: 28.2 pts, 9.4 reb, 5.6 pads, 1.3 int, 0.4 ctr and 2.8 pdb in 36 min.
Percentages: 46% on shots, including 37% on 3-pointers, and 80% on throws.
5 – Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)
Summary: 24 wins, 11 losses – 3rd in the East.
Matches: 33 disputed out of 35 possible.
Stats: 24.7 pts, 14.0 reb, 3.3 pads, 0.9 int, 0.9 ctr and 2.5 pdb in 35 min.
Percentages: 55% on shots, including 44% on 3-pointers, and 83% on throws.
Effective field goal percentage (eFG%) : equation allowing the overall skill of a player, or a team, to be calculated, taking into account the fact that a 3-point shot earns 1.5 times more points than a 2-point shot. The calculation formula is as follows: eFG% = ([tirs réussis + 0.5 * tirs à 3-points réussis] / shots attempted) * 100.
True shooting percentage (TS%): like theeffective field goal percentagethis equation allows you to calculate the overall skill of a player, or a team, this time taking free throws into consideration. The calculation formula is as follows: TS% = (points scored / 2 * [tirs tentés + 0.44 * {lancers-francs tentés}]) * 100.
