Who do you think wins MVP this season? (2025-26 NBA MVP Discussion Thread)

[LikeABosh]

It's crazy how absolutely dominant Victor/SGA/Giannis/Luka have all been to start the season. MVP race is going to be tight this year

I'm glad Giannis already won 2 MVP's because the competition from 2020 onward has been ridiculous. So many deserving candidates

[MoneyTalks41890]

Luka has missed half of the games already. IMO there’s no chance he will qualify.

[BadMofoPimp]

SGA or Cade or Wemby

[RB34]

If Joker wants to get anywhere near this thing he’s going to have to be more aggressive shooting the ball.

[Infinite Llamas]

If Joker wants to get anywhere near this thing he’s going to have to be more aggressive shooting the ball.

USG%

Luka 39.9
Giannis 36.9
Shai 34.8
Victor 32.5

Jokic 22.5

Jokic took a more distribution role to start this season, but it won’t work against the better teams. Denver won’t consistently win with such low USG from Jokic. Even with a supposed improved team, they are more reliant on him than ever.

As a side note, averaging a 20 point triple double on 22.5 USG might be one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen statistically.

[Optms]

Go watch Portland last night. They (Blazers) got back in the game by attacking Den/Jokic with a layup drill.

This is a huge reason Joker was runner up in MVP last year. His great offense doesn't negate the fact that he's just a non factor when it matters on defense. Always the last one back. A bad help defender. Doesn't alter any shots. Cannot guard anyone quick with handling skills. Guys like Grant and Avdija aren't even ground breaking athletes but they had no issue getting to the rim. Forget about him blocking any shot around the rim. He's peaked and the field has caught up.

[Infinite Llamas]

Go watch Portland last night. They (Blazers) got back in the game by attacking Den/Jokic with a layup drill.

This is a huge reason Joker was runner up in MVP last year. His great offense doesn't negate the fact that he's just a non factor when it matters on defense. Always the last one back. A bad help defender. Doesn't alter any shots. Cannot guard anyone quick with handling skills. Guys like Grant and Avdija aren't even ground breaking athletes but they had no issue getting to the rim. Forget about him blocking any shot around the rim. He's peaked and the field has caught up.

Cam Johnson was the one Avdija was abusing. Watch again.

[MMyhre]

OKC is last in the league in 3pt % and 21th in makes.
Just saying that with Joe, Chet and J-Dub back, that number obviously improves and they will not lose a lot. Shai could get a 10+ win advantage on all the other MVP candidates..

Shai is at 60.9 % from 10-16 feet on 46 attempts. Basically a layup for him at at this point.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6kq7OA7w_Ns?si=gGtLhXU5kl0zYNtT

He also made this smooth beauty.

[mademan]

Shai is probably doing the best carry job right now, but Wemby is just putting up cartoon numbers on a 5-0 team. He's got the early season lead

[Patches Perry]

OKC is last in the league in 3pt % and 21th in makes.
Just saying that with Joe, Chet and J-Dub back, that number obviously improves and they will not lose a lot. Shai could get a 10+ win advantage on all the other MVP candidates..

Shai is at 60.9 % from 10-16 feet on 46 attempts. Basically a layup for him at at this point.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6kq7OA7w_Ns?si=gGtLhXU5kl0zYNtT

He also made this smooth beauty.

Dub coming back will allow Shai to let off the gas a bit though. Right now, Shai is the favorite (by ESPN MVP odds), and OKC will win a bunch of games, but I think his role will decrease slightly as the season goes. And it should. I'd be surprised if Shai won it again.

[CobraCommander]

OKC is last in the league in 3pt % and 21th in makes.
Just saying that with Joe, Chet and J-Dub back, that number obviously improves and they will not lose a lot. Shai could get a 10+ win advantage on all the other MVP candidates..

Shai is at 60.9 % from 10-16 feet on 46 attempts. Basically a layup for him at at this point.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6kq7OA7w_Ns?si=gGtLhXU5kl0zYNtT

He also made this smooth beauty.

It’s wembys to lose at this point but sga and Giannis gonna make it interesting-

Right now it’s wemby by a mile- sga- giannis- jokic or Luka depending on if you give Luka credit for ARs games…

[guynumber45]

Can't see Jokic being in the conversation this year. He counting numbers will worse in pretty much every area compared to last year because he doesn't have to carry the entire offensive burden with the new improved bench + a in-shape Jamal to start the season. The only stat I could see Jokic going bonkers in this year is his TS%. But I don't think that will be enough to sway voters when we have new, fresh faces in the MVP discussion. Also can't see Shai getting in the discussion this year unless the Thunder somehow break the wins record. He's too polarizing of a player it seems amongst the media and fans.

I think it will between Luka, Wemby and Giannis. In-shape Luka is a real thing and the Lakers media machine will be pushing him heavy. He's also been long overdue for the award. I can see him getting it if the Lakers avoid the play-in. Wemby can also get it if the Spurs finish top 4 in the West. Dude is easily the most dominant 2-way player in the sport, a fresh face and doing things we've never seen on the basketball court. And finally we got Giannis. The numbers will always be there with the greek freak. But with how weak the East is and the Bucks sneakily being much more improved compared to last year with the Rollins + Turner pickups, the Bucks have a decent shot to win a bunch of games this year. If they could grab the #1 seed over the Cavs and Knicks, I could see that swaying voters enough considering nobody had the Bucks doing much this season

[web123888]

Doncic is the best player in basketball if fully healthy and locked in. Injuries are the only thing derailing serial MVPs and Larry Bird level comparisons.

[ball_takes23]

OKC is last in the league in 3pt % and 21th in makes.
Just saying that with Joe, Chet and J-Dub back, that number obviously improves and they will not lose a lot. Shai could get a 10+ win advantage on all the other MVP candidates..

Shai is at 60.9 % from 10-16 feet on 46 attempts. Basically a layup for him at at this point.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6kq7OA7w_Ns?si=gGtLhXU5kl0zYNtT

He also made this smooth beauty.

Dub coming back will allow Shai to let off the gas a bit though. Right now, Shai is the favorite (by ESPN MVP odds), and OKC will win a bunch of games, but I think his role will decrease slightly as the season goes. And it should. I'd be surprised if Shai won it again.

if anything Dub coming back will take the defensive load off SGA and allow him to put more energy into offense. It's not a Luka/Reaves/Bron situation where the players all need the ball in their hands, Dub is basically the perfect running mate for an MVP hopeful because he will help you win a bunch of games while still allowing the #1 guy to rack up a bunch of stats.

[doogie_hauser]

Doncic is the best player in basketball if fully healthy and locked in. Injuries are the only thing derailing serial MVPs and Larry Bird level comparisons.

Haha

Luka has never come close to being at Larry Legend's level. Larry did stuff like rebounding and defending, something Doncic is either too lazy or physically incapable of doing.

[MMyhre]

Doncic is the best player in basketball if fully healthy and locked in. Injuries are the only thing derailing serial MVPs and Larry Bird level comparisons.

Haha

Luka has never come close to being at Larry Legend's level. Larry did stuff like rebounding and defending, something Doncic is either too lazy or physically incapable of doing.

Luka highest rebounds per 36 minutes: 10.1, Larry Bird, 10.5 rebounds. Bird was a better rebounder and got more offensive rebounds, but it's not like Luka doesn't rebound. In terms of defending, yeah, Bird is better, but Luka is similar to Bird in that both are very good at making quick reads and finding steals, and I think a more fit Luka will have a more positive defensive season this year.

In terms of offensive playmaking, it's Luka. Scoring is also going to be Luka, because Larry just wasn't at his level on the volume scoring department, it's actually not even close when you factor in the postseason volume scoring. Luka is probably going to have a season so far above Bird in terms of offensive production this season, that I think he will surpass Larry Bird peak wise pretty handily if he keeps on going like this. He is just a remarkable scoring talent.

[MMyhre]

OKC is last in the league in 3pt % and 21th in makes.
Just saying that with Joe, Chet and J-Dub back, that number obviously improves and they will not lose a lot. Shai could get a 10+ win advantage on all the other MVP candidates..

Shai is at 60.9 % from 10-16 feet on 46 attempts. Basically a layup for him at at this point.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6kq7OA7w_Ns?si=gGtLhXU5kl0zYNtT

He also made this smooth beauty.

Dub coming back will allow Shai to let off the gas a bit though. Right now, Shai is the favorite (by ESPN MVP odds), and OKC will win a bunch of games, but I think his role will decrease slightly as the season goes. And it should. I'd be surprised if Shai won it again.

We'll see, I am not sure. You have to remember that Jalen has not been able to shoot with his right, and it's obviously going to take time to get his shooting flow back, and just everything really as the hand is so important in basketball.

So I think Shai will still put up numbers, if anything his efficiency will increase as he can pick his spots a bit more off the added pressure of Chet rising and J-Dub handling the ball.

Chet is the key here, if he can shoot 40 % on three... it is gamebreaking for OKC, because he can drive to the rim with his speed advantage if bigs overplay his shot - creating tons of openings for OKC as the defense has to collapse.

[CodeBreaker]

Doncic is the best player in basketball if fully healthy and locked in. Injuries are the only thing derailing serial MVPs and Larry Bird level comparisons.

Not true

[doogie_hauser]

Doncic is the best player in basketball if fully healthy and locked in. Injuries are the only thing derailing serial MVPs and Larry Bird level comparisons.

Haha

Luka has never come close to being at Larry Legend's level. Larry did stuff like rebounding and defending, something Doncic is either too lazy or physically incapable of doing.

Luka highest rebounds per 36 minutes: 10.1, Larry Bird, 10.5 rebounds. Bird was a better rebounder and got more offensive rebounds, but it's not like Luka doesn't rebound. In terms of defending, yeah, Bird is better, but Luka is similar to Bird in that both are very good at making quick reads and finding steals, and I think a more fit Luka will have a more positive defensive season this year.

In terms of offensive playmaking, it's Luka. Scoring is also going to be Luka, because Larry just wasn't at his level on the volume scoring department, it's actually not even close when you factor in the postseason volume scoring. Luka is probably going to have a season so far above Bird in terms of offensive production this season, that I think he will surpass Larry Bird peak wise pretty handily if he keeps on going like this. He is just a remarkable scoring talent.

Brah Luka won't win one ring or MVP (like Bird did 3 x with both)

His scoring talent has never actually translated to playoff success either.

Luka's current offensive clip is not sustainable over 82 games plus playoffs, plus there is a lot more to being a great player than just a high volume scorer.

[juanc]

Haha

Luka has never come close to being at Larry Legend's level. Larry did stuff like rebounding and defending, something Doncic is either too lazy or physically incapable of doing.

Luka highest rebounds per 36 minutes: 10.1, Larry Bird, 10.5 rebounds. Bird was a better rebounder and got more offensive rebounds, but it's not like Luka doesn't rebound. In terms of defending, yeah, Bird is better, but Luka is similar to Bird in that both are very good at making quick reads and finding steals, and I think a more fit Luka will have a more positive defensive season this year.

In terms of offensive playmaking, it's Luka. Scoring is also going to be Luka, because Larry just wasn't at his level on the volume scoring department, it's actually not even close when you factor in the postseason volume scoring. Luka is probably going to have a season so far above Bird in terms of offensive production this season, that I think he will surpass Larry Bird peak wise pretty handily if he keeps on going like this. He is just a remarkable scoring talent.

Brah Luka won't win one ring or MVP (like Bird did 3 x with both)

His scoring talent has never actually translated to playoff success either.

Luka's current offensive clip is not sustainable over 82 games plus playoffs, plus there is a lot more to being a great player than just a high volume scorer.

You forgot to add that he is an all time playmaker, not just a scorer... And also his defense is much improved to start the sason.

He is also more aggressive attacking the paint and that unlock a whole new level to his offense.