As we pass the quarter mark of the NBA season and approach Christmas, one question looms: who will be this year’s MVP? The Michael Jordan Trophy has been awarded annually to the league’s most valuable player since 1956, distinguishing each winner as one of the preeminent figures of their generation.
So far this season, three players have separated themselves from the pack. Two are former winners: two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and reigning three-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
We also can’t overlook Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the superstar Canadian guard who drives the Oklahoma City Thunder. His impact on the team has been undeniable and could place him firmly in MVP discussions.
Let’s dive in.
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After finishing second in MVP voting last season behind Nikola Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to impress consistently. He’s averaging 30.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 6.2 APG with shooting splits of 51/34/86.
Gilgeous-Alexander is on pace to become the eighth player in NBA history to average 30+ points for three consecutive seasons while playing at least 65 games. He would join legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Harden, and Bob McAdoo.
Maintaining his current pace and shooting 50% from the field will make Gilgeous-Alexander the third guard in the modern era, alongside Jordan and Harden, to accomplish this feat.
Beyond scoring, Gilgeous-Alexander anchors the Thunder atop the Western Conference with his defense. Averaging 1.9 steals and a block per game, he’s a true two-way player—a level of guard defense not seen since Michael Jordan.
According to Basketball Reference, Gilgeous-Alexander ranks fifth in defensive rating and boasts the third-highest usage rate in the NBA, behind only LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets and Antetokounmpo.
His PER is 28.8, the third-best in the league, and he has the second-most 30-point games this season (13) behind the next man you’ll see. Gilgeous-Alexander’s unorthodox yet poised style of play cements him as one of the premier players in the league.
After a rocky 2-7 start, with trade rumors swirling around Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have found their rhythm.
Since then, Milwaukee has won 11 of 14 games. Antetokounmpo averaged 34 PPG, 12.1 RPG, and 7.0 APG in November, shooting 59% from the field and recording three triple-doubles.
He recently dominated in the NBA Cup Final against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, posting 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. He also added two steals and three blocks to lead the Bucks to a 97-81 victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo currently leads the league in scoring with 32.7 PPG, ranks fifth in rebounds at 11.5, leads in PER with 31.8, and sits fifth in field goal percentage at 61.4%.
If he maintains this pace, he’ll become the only player in NBA history to average 30+ points while shooting 60%+ from the field for two consecutive seasons. Not even legends like Wilt Chamberlain or Shaquille O’Neal accomplished this in a single season.
He’s simply the “Greek Freak.”
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After winning his third MVP last season, Nikola Jokic became just the 10th player in NBA history to achieve the feat. The Nuggets started the season strong, winning seven of their first ten games. Jokic missed some time due to the birth of his child, causing Denver to slip slightly in the standings. Still, he remains nearly unstoppable.
Jokic is averaging a near 30-point triple-double: 30.9 PPG, 13.3 RPG, and 9.9 APG, shooting 56% from the field and nearly 50% from three. Maintaining this pace would make him the first player in NBA history to average such numbers.
He recently scored 104 points in two games, with 56 against the Washington Wizards and 48 against the Atlanta Hawks.
He became the first player in NBA history to score 100+ points, grab 30+ rebounds, and dish 15+ assists in just two days. Jokic ranks second in the league in scoring behind Antetokounmpo while leading in offensive win shares and offensive box +/-.
The Nuggets currently sit fifth in the loaded Western Conference, with Jokic as their only 20+ PPG scorer. A fourth MVP would place him among NBA legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and LeBron James.
For the Joker, it’s his world, and we’re all just living in it.
All three players are worthy of the MVP award due to their consistent dominance. While Gilgeous-Alexander has been spectacular, the edge goes to the two giants: Antetokounmpo and Jokic.
Antetokounmpo’s ability to turn a 2-7 start into a contender gives him a slight advantage. Jokic’s efficiency, two-way impact, and role as Denver’s offensive hub keep him in the conversation. If he continues at this pace, Jokic could claim his fourth MVP trophy this spring.
Yep, we have one too
