Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Jayson Tatum have been the top candidates for the MVP award this season. Although Doncic has been dishing out monstrous triple-doubles of late, the competition for first place has mostly been between the Denver Nuggets center and the OKC guard. Well, the hosts of ‘Inside the NBA’ have switched between the above candidates quite often. With just a few weeks remaining for the playoffs, Shaquille O’Neal has made his final pick for the MVP with two notable criteria. 

Serbian sensation Jokic is averaging a near triple-double this season, with 26 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists. On the other hand, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has brought the Oklahoma City Thunder to the 2nd seed after finishing 10th last year. More importantly, he is doing this by averaging an impressive 31.1 points and 6.4 assists. And that is why Shaquille O’Neal wants the 25-year-old to win the MVP. 

Shaq shared, “SGA is my MVP right now. He fits both of our criteria. He’s the baddest mofo…in the league, and his team is  winning.” The young guard averaged a similar number last season as well. He finished with 31.4 points and 5.5 assists but the OKC were not winning.

Well, they are back to a familiar place now, and all thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander. Shaq choosing the 25-year-old ball handler is quite different. He has stuck to Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic for the MVP conversation most of the season. However, the only difference between Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic is that the former is winning more games. Shai’s numbers this season have been quite mind-blowing. He is on his way to join Michael Jordan in an impressive record. 

In comparison with Michael Jordan’s 1988 breakout season, how does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have a stronger case for the MVP? 

Michael Jordan averaged more than 31 points and almost 6 assists in the 1988 season too. Something that the Chicago Bulls legend and Gilgeous-Alexander have in common in this stat is that both have an FG% of more than 50% in the respective seasons. No guard after MJ has done it. The Thunder superstar has just a few more games left to set the record and sit right next to MJ with this impressive feat. What’s noteworthy here is that Jordan won MVP that season and it was his first. 

It has been quite a long time since a guard won an MVP. The last guard to win an MVP was James Harden six years ago. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has made his case for the big accolade this season. Not only will it be refreshing to see a guard win it, but it will also be motivational for other young players like him in the league. 

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