The Real MVP?

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Jaylen Brown

The Real MVP?

We are back with another NBA post for the week. This week's topic is the current MVP (most valuable player) race in the NBA. We are approaching the final games of the regular season and the MVP of the regular season will soon be recognized. Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is on pace to repeat from last season's MVP race however some think there are other players more deserving of the award. There have been a lot of controversial talks about who is truly deserving of the award. Furthermore, I believe it is important to consider what it actually means to be the most "valuable" player for an NBA team and how the word "valuable" has multiple interpretations.

MVP Considerations

Typically, it is known for players to be considered in the MVP race based on team win/loss record and player game statistics. For example, if you are the best player on one of the best teams in the NBA then you were considered. Nowadays, that structure hasn't deviated much but there are some additional nuances. Obviously, final considerations are determined by fan votes so there could be instances where players gain an advantage due to simple popularity around the league. Now, let's talk about some of those nuances that play a part in the considerations of selecting an MVP. As stated before, team wins propel those players in terms of fan votes. If you are losing team (even if you are skilled enough) it is probable that you won't even be considered. Secondly, player stats often influence fan votes. If a player is having an high-level output year in terms of statistics (for example; when Westbrook averaged a triple double) then most likely they are going to be considered. Another nuance considered could be the player story. It could refer to an overall career consideration or just one specific situation. I will reference an example of this in the next paragraph.

As of Week 24 in the NBA, the current front runner for the MVP award is Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. This is important because since Week 13 of the regular season the front runner has been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It is also important to consider the Gilgeous-Alexander currently is averaging 31.3 points per game & Victor Wembanyama is currently averaging 24.8. Now you might be wondering why Victor is the current front runner? The slight edge could be due to simple popularity around the league as a 7'6 skilled center. Also, you could factor in his win/loss record against the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-1). Basically speaking, yes, Gilgeous-Alexander averages more points and has more wins this season, but out of the 5 times they battled against the Spurs, Wembanyama came out victorious. It is something to consider because the basketball community will express this nuance as an unfair advantage for Shai. However, this is all in theory. Wembanyama could be the front runner because of his defensive presence where he is averaging a whopping 3.1 blocks per game in addition to the 24.8 points per game.

Who's "Story?"

Jaylen Brown's name has come up a lot in the past couple of weeks in considerations for the MVP. This is where the talks get a little controversial because the term "valuable" in MVP could begin to possess a few different interpretations. Remember how we prefaced Wembanyama's "story" on being a 3rd year player with his statistics on one of the top teams in the NBA? Well, the same case could be made for Boston Celtic's star, Jaylen Brown. Jaylen Brown is currently averaging 28 points on a Celtics team that was basically discarded last year as a "below .500 team." With Jayson Tatum rupturing his Achilles last year in the playoffs, most thought that this would be a gap year for the Celtics as they also traded away Kristaps Porzingis to get back to rebuild mode. Furthermore, to everyone's surprise, Jaylen Brown has virtually carried the Celtics the entire season as they convincingly sustained a top spot in the Eastern Conference. Media personalities continue to express that because they wrote off the Celtics last year, Jaylen Brown is the most "valuable" to his team. Is that enough of a "story" for Jaylen Brown to win? Ultimately, the votes will determine.

Conclusion

To conclude, the MVP race is classically predicated on player/team performance. However, every year there are additional nuances added into the overall considerations. The media is currently discussing how some of the players that I have mentioned might not even be eligible due to the 65-game rule which is a qualification for winning the award. Right now, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander is the "technical" front runner because Wembanyama hasn't played 65 games yet (he is currently at 63 games played with 3 games left in the regular season). Based on this rule alone, many players who were previously considered might be disqualified. Next year, who knows what could be the new considerations and nuances for selecting an MVP.