“The MVP is SGA. Period. … He’s the baddest player in the game and their team is 49-21.” @SHAQ has his pick for MVP 👀
While most people assume that Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is going to win this year's MVP, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has a different choice for this distinguished, highly valued prize.
Speaking on "Inside the NBA," Shaq made his choice very clear.
"The MVP is SGA," O'Neal said. "I saw a stat the other day that he's one of the few in history to have 50 30-point games in a season. And he meets my criteria — the baddest player in the game and their team is 49-21."
On Monday night, Gilgeous-Alexander was at it again, scoring 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists as his Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 119-112. The score was very close for the majority of the game but it was Gilgeous-Alexander who made the ultimate difference for his team and helped them score a win.
At the start of the season, it looked like Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers was on his way to another MVP but then he got injured repeatedly, missed the 65-game threshold, and is now out of the running.
After Embiid was no longer eligible for MVP, Jokic became the frontrunner for the prize. But SGA remains in contention too.
Even if he doesn't win, it's very clear that this has been a massive year for the Thunder star. He is recording 30.4 points, 5.6 rebonds, and 6.3 assists per game on 54% from the field. He is now one of the most exciting young players in the league and most analysts agree that he will win Most Valuable Player at some point, even if it isn't this year.
“The MVP is SGA. Period. … He’s the baddest player in the game and their team is 49-21.” @SHAQ has his pick for MVP 👀