April 20, 2025, the National Basketball Association (NBA) released its three finalists for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), followed by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (15) and Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34). Despite numerical differences in both advanced and first-glance statistics such as points per game or steals, the NBA media seems to hold Alexander above Jokić with little to no doubts. While fans debate why each player deserves the award, there remains a lack of a clear definition of what constitutes a player as the most valuable. The MVP debate fails to recognize how a player individually affects their team’s performance and their supporting players on the roster. In that recognition, Jokić should hold the top spot on the ladder.
“Jokić is without a doubt the best player in the world, and the most valuable in the league. He’s averaging a triple-double, a feat only Russell Westbrook (0) and Oscar Robertson (1) have accomplished and currently a total plus/minus of +594. Some of the things he does on the court are almost as if he’s making up skills as he plays,” magnet junior Nishan Patel said.
Beginning with the primary statistics of each player, Jokić’s offensive output this season proves nothing short of generational. Averaging 29.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, ranked top three in each statistic, Jokic’s presence on the court turns the Nuggets from a middling play-in team to a certified championship contender. Through his height and awareness, Jokić delivers passes to teammates similar to the all-time famed point guards such as Magic Johnson (32) and Chris Paul (3). Analyzing advanced statistics, the Nuggets’ offensive rating with Jokić playing in the game in comparison to not, drops from first in the league down to the very bottom out of every team.
“Not only has Jokić had one of the greatest seasons the NBA has seen, but it might be the single greatest individual season in history. We have never seen a center average these scoring and assist numbers, and we have not even seen point guards approach Jokić’s level. What makes it even crazier is the fact that while Jokić has been in the NBA, none of his teammates have ever gotten an All-Star selection. Jokić is the only reason the Denver Nuggets are contenders,” junior Joshua Dahan said.
Despite Jokić’s achievements on the offensive end, critics and analysts tear down his accomplishments with his performance on the defensive end. While the Nuggets’ defensive statistics rise considerably without Jokić on the court. On the interior, Jokić’s athleticism shows in his block percentage and overall effort to contest. Ignoring the basic solution of improving Jokić’s conditioning and eagerness to reach out against open shots, the roster construction takes the blame for Denver’s defensive lapses. Even without blaming roster construction, Jokić currently averages 1.8 steals a game, a career high and top six in the league among players, proving that he does put effort into defense. On the bench, former coach Mike Malone’s rotations, excluding Jokić, only include 36-year-old veteran DeAndre Jordan (45). Without any proper second options to play center, Jokić plays 36.7 minutes per game, bearing the team’s offensive load, and the media still expect him to anchor down the defense.
On the Bucks bench, Antetokounmpo defends with the help of all-defensive centers Brook Lopez (11) and Bobby Portis (9). For Alexander, the Thunder’s squad includes perimeter menaces Alex Caruso (9) and Cason Wallace (12). Past the perimeter, perennial shot blocker Chet Holmgren (7) and two-way all-star Jalen Williams (8) hold up the interior, building a fortress that works as the top defense in the league. With a defensive powerhouse by his side, Alexander runs free on the court, allowed by head coach Mark Daigneault to both create and assist in every offensive possession.
With all said and done, each MVP candidate continuously performs feats worth Hall of Fame recognition. Giannis’ efficiency in scoring and his two-way presence single-handedly pushed the Bucks towards a deep playoff run. Alexander’s consistency and composure with the ball in his hands spearhead a generational team with multiple young talents. Jokić repeatedly records triple-doubles with video game-esque numbers and looks ready to win another MVP. Each player’s worth changes depending on their team situations, but no one else comes close to replicating the individual successes of these three MVP finalists.
