The MVP award has long been one of the most debated topics in the NBA community. With no set criteria to define what makes a superstar the MVP, players and analysts love to come up with their unique mixes. Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has always been vocal about the MVP criteria and has had heated debates with his Inside The NBA co-panelists. Shaq recently said the MVP award should go to “the baddest m*fkr in the league regardless of standings.” Following Shaq’s comments, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young chimed in on the ambiguous NBA MVP criteria.

During the latest episode of his Podcast, Trae Young addressed Shaq’s comments and revealed his thoughts on the MVP criteria. He said, “The post has been moved so many times, ain’t nobody gonna be right.” It is unclear if the MVP award should reward the best player on the winningest team or the player with the best regular season stats. Young believes people will keep debating the MVP criteria until NBA Commissioner Adam Silver comes up with an official checklist to win MVP.

However, Trae thinks the award should go to the best player on the best team. “It should be usually that way, players on the most winning team that season.” This season’s MVP race has been no different. Until Joel Embiid got injured, everyone was sure he would become a back-to-back MVP this year. He had the best numbers and the top seed to back his claim. But his ineligibility has left the NBA world divided. Many believe Nikola Jokic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should win the MVP award because of their stats and record. However, some claim Luka Doncic’s dominant season should be rewarded despite the Mavericks’ lower seeding.

Can Luka Doncic win the MVP award despite his team record?

Luka Doncic is having his career’s best offensive season. He is averaging a near triple-double with 33.8 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds. But the Mavs are still the 5th seed in the Western Conference and could fall even further before the regular season ends. Meanwhile, Jokic and Shai have slightly lower stats than Luka but a higher seed. While many believe Luka’s dominant season may go in vain because of his team’s record, recent history suggests otherwise.

Before 2017, the MVP award mostly went to the best player on the best teams. From 1989 to 2016, all the regular season MVPs came from either the first or the second seed. However, it all changed in 2017. Russell Westbrook broke the norm after becoming the MVP while his team was the 6th seed in the West. That was because he put up a historic season by averaging a 30-point triple-double. Including that year, 4 of the last 7 NBA MVPs have come from a team seeded 3rd or lower. Notable names include Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid.

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So, there is a chance Luka Doncic might win his first MVP award this season despite his team record. He has lifted the Mavs out of the play-in situation and helped them reach the 5th seed with his recent scoring outburst. If Luka Doncic can finish the season strong, many voters could lean toward picking him as their 2024 NBA MVP.

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