This year’s race for the coveted NBA MVP title is as close and unpredictable as it has been in a long time.
NBA legends LeBron James and Steve Nash, discussing the future of basketball in a recent podcast, agreed: Victor Wembanyama is an exceptional talent. Nash speculated that he «could be MVP for centuries,» to which James laughingly added: «For a hundred million years!» For Wembanyama, the dream of an MVP title, which many consider unattainable at such a young age, could become a reality even now.
The current MVP race, also recently discussed by James and Nash, is one of the tightest in recent years. While top contenders like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets long seemed to be the main contenders, the young Victor Wembanyama has impressively asserted himself in recent weeks.
Wembanyama himself emphasized the importance of the title: «The MVP is extremely important to me. I believe all the greats we consider the best of all time achieved everything there was to achieve early in their careers.» Should he win the MVP title so early in his NBA career, it would be an extraordinary achievement, albeit one that demands a lot.
Injured and the 65-Game Rule: Can Wembanyama Overcome the Hurdles?
Nearing the end of the season, the 2.24-meter tall Frenchman still needs to play one more game with at least 20 minutes on court to meet the NBA’s controversial 65-game threshold required for awards like the MVP. A rib contusion recently forced him to the sidelines, jeopardizing his participation in the final games. However, the Spurs remain optimistic that he can return to the court soon.
Wembanyama’s early MVP candidacy is largely due to his exceptional defensive impact. His average of 3.1 blocks per game leads the league and underscores his dominant presence. Combined with remarkable basketball IQ for his size, an ability to bring the ball up, set up teammates, and shoot 35 percent from three-point range, he is truly a unique player.
LeBron James, a four-time MVP himself, conceded that Wembanyama «definitely has good arguments,» but felt that other candidates were having better seasons. His own favorite, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, will narrowly miss the 65-game threshold due to a hamstring strain. A possible exception from the NBA is still under review.
Jokic and SGA: The Established Favorites and Their «Jordan-esque» Efficiency
Most likely, the race will remain a duel between SGA and Jokic. The Serb once again impresses with average triple-double figures (27.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.9 assists). Steve Nash highlighted the «Jordan-esque» efficiency of his fellow Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 31.1 points, a figure only surpassed by Luka Doncic.
Nikola Jokic has a unique opportunity to demonstrate his superiority in direct matchups, as he faces both SGA and the Thunder, and Wembanyama and the Spurs in the final games of the regular season. These crucial encounters could potentially decide the MVP race early, before the top players might face each other again in the playoffs.
MVP Candidates Compared: Statistics of Jokic, SGA, and Wembanyama
| Player | GP | MIN | PTS | FG% | 3PT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 67 | 33.2 | 31.1 | 55.3 | 38.6 | 4.3 | 6.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.2 |
| Nikola Jokic | 64 | 35.1 | 27.8 | 56.9 | 37.9 | 12.9 | 10.9 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 3.8 |
| Victor Wembanyama | 63 | 29.2 | 24.8 | 51.0 | 35.0 | 11.5 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 2.4 |