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

[Wolfgang630]

Giannis injured now. It’s gonna be Jokic vs SGA again

[Handlez]

Jokic just lost MVP tonight.

Unbelievable.

You're so absurdly dramatic and hyperbolic that it's actually comical

I'm an idiot man don't mind me.

When my favorite players lose, I see no hope for the future.

[Ambrose]

Giannis injured now. It’s gonna be Jokic vs SGA again

Giannis was never a real contender for MVP. He's not durable enough and the Bucks aren't good enough. It's a shame, because he's been MVP caliber as a player but the circumstances are too much to overcome.

[mademan]

Same as last year. Jokic with game breaking GOAT numbers (this year even more ridiculous than last). Shai with legit MVP, legendary, HOF like numbers - a step below Jokic - on a team that will have 5-10 more wins. If Jokic keeps this up though, which would be insane, I wouldnt care about the win disparity as long as Denver is a respectable mid to high 50's win team. I dont expect him to blow the best seasons of all the GOAT's out of the water though, so Shai should be a big fav, but we'll see.

[mademan]

Kind of weird some people have SGA ahead of Luka:

Luka 34.4 ppg / 8.9 rpg / 8.9 apg

SGA 31.9 ppg / 4.9 rpg / 7.7 apg

Sure OKC is the best team in the league but the MVP is an individual award not a team award so it's kind of weird playing on a more stacked team should give you the lead in the MVP race.

Luka's had a great start to the season, and if he was playing in a normal year, he'd probably be the early fav. But he's up against 2 guys putting up GOAT level numbers (efficiency included), with one of them playing levels above the best seasons we've ever seen.

And efficiency does matter. Shai averaging 2 less TO's per game (at 4 min less) and scoring at near peak Curry level efficiency is not something you can just gloss over posting box score numbers.

[hagredionis]

Kind of weird some people have SGA ahead of Luka:

Luka 34.4 ppg / 8.9 rpg / 8.9 apg

SGA 31.9 ppg / 4.9 rpg / 7.7 apg

Sure OKC is the best team in the league but the MVP is an individual award not a team award so it's kind of weird playing on a more stacked team should give you the lead in the MVP race.

Luka's had a great start to the season, and if he was playing in a normal year, he'd probably be the early fav. But he's up against 2 guys putting up GOAT level numbers (efficiency included), with one of them playing levels above the best seasons we've ever seen.

And efficiency does matter. Shai averaging 2 less TO's per game (at 4 min less) and scoring at near peak Curry level efficiency is not something you can just gloss over posting box score numbers.

Well going on about efficiency is completely ignoring the fact that's it's much easier to be efficient when you're playing on a stacked team.

[mademan]

Kind of weird some people have SGA ahead of Luka:

Luka 34.4 ppg / 8.9 rpg / 8.9 apg

SGA 31.9 ppg / 4.9 rpg / 7.7 apg

Sure OKC is the best team in the league but the MVP is an individual award not a team award so it's kind of weird playing on a more stacked team should give you the lead in the MVP race.

Luka's had a great start to the season, and if he was playing in a normal year, he'd probably be the early fav. But he's up against 2 guys putting up GOAT level numbers (efficiency included), with one of them playing levels above the best seasons we've ever seen.

And efficiency does matter. Shai averaging 2 less TO's per game (at 4 min less) and scoring at near peak Curry level efficiency is not something you can just gloss over posting box score numbers.

Well going on about efficiency is completely ignoring the fact that's it's much easier to be efficient when you're playing on a stacked team.

Maybe. But its very much not clear to me, that without Jdub, OKC is more stacked offensively than the Lakers. OKC's offensive rating goes from 126.7 in 500 min with Shai on the court to what would be a bottom tier 106.1 in 240 min with him off.

I mean, Chet-Dort-IH-Wallace, and off the bench, Mitchell-Caruso-Wiggins....Im not seeing this offensively stacked team. Defensively...for sure, but Shai is absolutely carrying this offense.

[Mavrelous]

I don't think Luka is in the MVP race right now, he doesn't have the numbers to compete with Jokic/SGA, he has worse record and objectively worse numbers, but the fallacy of infering quality of supporting cast (or lack thereof) from on/off stats while ignoring a glaringly obvious eye test (and other strong statsitical signals) will never cease to amaze me...

[Yuri36]

I don't think Luka is in the MVP race right now, he doesn't have the numbers to compete with Jokic/SGA, he has worse record and objectively worse numbers, but the fallacy of infering quality of supporting cast (or lack thereof) from on/off stats while ignoring a glaringly obvious eye test (and other strong statsitical signals) will never cease to amaze me...

Lol averaging around 34 ppg 9 rbds and 9 assists with his team having a 11-4 record and he doesn't have the numbers to compete with joker and SGA?

Some people are either mad crazy either some huge fan boys of Joker or/and SGA or big haters of Luka.

Oh and spare me the efficiency thing, if that was so important (especially for guards), MJ wouldn't be close to the GOAT title and the top 10 players of all time would probably all be centers.

[Mavrelous]

I don't think Luka is in the MVP race right now, he doesn't have the numbers to compete with Jokic/SGA, he has worse record and objectively worse numbers, but the fallacy of infering quality of supporting cast (or lack thereof) from on/off stats while ignoring a glaringly obvious eye test (and other strong statsitical signals) will never cease to amaze me...

Lol averaging around 34 ppg 9 rbds and 9 assists with his team having a 11-4 record and he doesn't have the numbers to compete with joker and SGA?

Some people are either mad crazy either some huge fan boys of Joker or/and SGA or big haters of Luka.

Oh and spare me the efficiency thing, if that was so important (especially for guards), MJ wouldn't be close to the GOAT title and the top 10 players of all time would probably all be centers.

Yeah, I'm SGA fanboy and Luka hater...

[bbms]

Kind of weird some people have SGA ahead of Luka:

Luka 34.4 ppg / 8.9 rpg / 8.9 apg

SGA 31.9 ppg / 4.9 rpg / 7.7 apg

Sure OKC is the best team in the league but the MVP is an individual award not a team award so it's kind of weird playing on a more stacked team should give you the lead in the MVP race.

Luka's had a great start to the season, and if he was playing in a normal year, he'd probably be the early fav. But he's up against 2 guys putting up GOAT level numbers (efficiency included), with one of them playing levels above the best seasons we've ever seen.

And efficiency does matter. Shai averaging 2 less TO's per game (at 4 min less) and scoring at near peak Curry level efficiency is not something you can just gloss over posting box score numbers.

Well going on about efficiency is completely ignoring the fact that's it's much easier to be efficient when you're playing on a stacked team.

bulls

the lakers are a lot better at shooting specially from the outside, get to the line a lot more than the thunder, and also are a better offensielve rebounding team.

still, thunder's offense has been better, more consistent and more efficient

care to explain why?

[hagredionis]

Luka's had a great start to the season, and if he was playing in a normal year, he'd probably be the early fav. But he's up against 2 guys putting up GOAT level numbers (efficiency included), with one of them playing levels above the best seasons we've ever seen.

And efficiency does matter. Shai averaging 2 less TO's per game (at 4 min less) and scoring at near peak Curry level efficiency is not something you can just gloss over posting box score numbers.

Well going on about efficiency is completely ignoring the fact that's it's much easier to be efficient when you're playing on a stacked team.

bulls

the lakers are a lot better at shooting specially from the outside, get to the line a lot more than the thunder, and also are a better offensielve rebounding team.

still, thunder's offense has been better, more consistent and more efficient

care to explain why?

How has Thunder's offense been better? Check the ORtg/A it's 118.02 for Lakers and 117.43 for Thunder. The difference between the two teams is OKC has a much better defense but that has nothing to do with SGA being "more efficient".

[Optms]

I don't think Luka is in the MVP race right now, he doesn't have the numbers to compete with Jokic/SGA, he has worse record and objectively worse numbers, but the fallacy of infering quality of supporting cast (or lack thereof) from on/off stats while ignoring a glaringly obvious eye test (and other strong statsitical signals) will never cease to amaze me...

Lol averaging around 34 ppg 9 rbds and 9 assists with his team having a 11-4 record and he doesn't have the numbers to compete with joker and SGA?

Some people are either mad crazy either some huge fan boys of Joker or/and SGA or big haters of Luka.

Oh and spare me the efficiency thing, if that was so important (especially for guards), MJ wouldn't be close to the GOAT title and the top 10 players of all time would probably all be centers.

Ridiculous statement to make when you look at Luka's numbers are very much MVP worthy. He may not be ahead of Shai but to act like he doesn't have a shot because his numbers aren't good enough is a lie.

The only reason Luka isn't mentioned more is because he's missed 4 games and the Lakers record is simply not on par with the Thunder. Nothing to do with his performance though. His numbers are very much on par with an MVP candidate and he'll become more of an option in the convo if the Lakers can maintain a top 3 seed.

[bbms]

Well going on about efficiency is completely ignoring the fact that's it's much easier to be efficient when you're playing on a stacked team.

bulls

the lakers are a lot better at shooting specially from the outside, get to the line a lot more than the thunder, and also are a better offensielve rebounding team.

still, thunder's offense has been better, more consistent and more efficient

care to explain why?

How has Thunder's offense been better? Check the ORtg/A it's 118.02 for Lakers and 117.43 for Thunder. The difference between the two teams is OKC has a much better defense but that has nothing to do with SGA being "more efficient".

you failed to address that the lakers are a team that is shooting better than the thunder, goes more to the line and grabs more offensive rebounds. even if the lakers were a bit more efficient offensively, the sum of the things should put them way above the thunder but they arent.

because they are held back by a huge difference un turnover rate.

also i contest your ortg number doesnt check with mine. here its 119.7 x 117.9 in thunders's favor. with the facts that you failed to answer

which probably indicates why advanced +- based metrics have had sga way above luka this season.

also that's very funny you mentioned defense. maybe that fat ass should play some one day

[hagredionis]

bulls

the lakers are a lot better at shooting specially from the outside, get to the line a lot more than the thunder, and also are a better offensielve rebounding team.

still, thunder's offense has been better, more consistent and more efficient

care to explain why?

How has Thunder's offense been better? Check the ORtg/A it's 118.02 for Lakers and 117.43 for Thunder. The difference between the two teams is OKC has a much better defense but that has nothing to do with SGA being "more efficient".

you failed to address that the lakers are a team that is shooting better than the thunder, goes more to the line and grabs more offensive rebounds. even if the lakers were a bit more efficient offensively, the sum of the things should put them way above the thunder but they arent.

because they are held back by a huge difference un turnover rate.

also i contest your ortg number doesnt check with mine. here its 119.7 x 117.9 in thunders's favor. with the facts that you failed to answer

which probably indicates why advanced +- based metrics have had sga way above luka this season.

also that's very funny you mentioned defense. maybe that fat ass should play some one day

Ok If you really want I will address it. The Lakers are shooting better than the Thunder thanks to Luka's playmaking. Just look at the assists Luka has 9.0 assists per game versus only 6.7 assists for SGA, that's a big difference. Luka also has 8.5 rebounds per game vs only 4.9 for SGA again a big difference. The numbers are clear that's why SGA Stans are constantly ignoring that and go on about "efficiency".

[bbms]

How has Thunder's offense been better? Check the ORtg/A it's 118.02 for Lakers and 117.43 for Thunder. The difference between the two teams is OKC has a much better defense but that has nothing to do with SGA being "more efficient".

you failed to address that the lakers are a team that is shooting better than the thunder, goes more to the line and grabs more offensive rebounds. even if the lakers were a bit more efficient offensively, the sum of the things should put them way above the thunder but they arent.

because they are held back by a huge difference un turnover rate.

also i contest your ortg number doesnt check with mine. here its 119.7 x 117.9 in thunders's favor. with the facts that you failed to answer

which probably indicates why advanced +- based metrics have had sga way above luka this season.

also that's very funny you mentioned defense. maybe that fat ass should play some one day

Ok If you really want I will address it. The Lakers are shooting better than the Thunder thanks to Luka's playmaking. Just look at the assists Luka has 9.0 assists per game versus only 6.7 assists for SGA, that's a big difference. Luka also has 8.5 rebounds per game vs only 4.9 for SGA again a big difference. The numbers are clear that's why SGA Stans are constantly ignoring that and go on about "efficiency".

still that vastly superior playmaking (11.1 ast/100 vs 9.8 ast/100, 41.7 AST% vs 36.1 AST% , wow so much more) can't produce a better, nor more efficient offense and much less consistent too, i wonder if having double the TOV% and worse shot selection is paying off

nothing indicates that thunder's offensive superiority is a result of having brute advantages in shooting, getting to the line, opportunities or things generally related to having a superior supporting cast. it's a result of superior system, execution (specially at ball security) and leadership, all of which is heavily defined by sga's performance, given his absolute high usage.

i have to concede i think doncic is a more talented offensive player, but right now, they aren't on the same level of execution and quality. doncic as he is now doesn't have a shot at a serious mvp contention as long as shai exists and plays the level he's been playing, despite the cloying circle jerking content mill built for lakers fans engagement.

[hardenASG13]

I don't think Luka is in the MVP race right now, he doesn't have the numbers to compete with Jokic/SGA, he has worse record and objectively worse numbers, but the fallacy of infering quality of supporting cast (or lack thereof) from on/off stats while ignoring a glaringly obvious eye test (and other strong statsitical signals) will never cease to amaze me...

Lol averaging around 34 ppg 9 rbds and 9 assists with his team having a 11-4 record and he doesn't have the numbers to compete with joker and SGA?

Some people are either mad crazy either some huge fan boys of Joker or/and SGA or big haters of Luka.

Oh and spare me the efficiency thing, if that was so important (especially for guards), MJ wouldn't be close to the GOAT title and the top 10 players of all time would probably all be centers.

This board is way, way too into efficiency. Efficiency isn't as valuable as creating and making your own shot come playoff time, when defenses take away your preferred actions and your star has to create volume off script. It leads people to think Sga and Jokic are miles ahead of Luka offensively. They are not.

As for MVP.....we're like 14 games in I dont see the point of debating it ha.

[Cubbies2120]

I don't think Luka is in the MVP race right now, he doesn't have the numbers to compete with Jokic/SGA, he has worse record and objectively worse numbers, but the fallacy of infering quality of supporting cast (or lack thereof) from on/off stats while ignoring a glaringly obvious eye test (and other strong statsitical signals) will never cease to amaze me...

Lol averaging around 34 ppg 9 rbds and 9 assists with his team having a 11-4 record and he doesn't have the numbers to compete with joker and SGA?

Some people are either mad crazy either some huge fan boys of Joker or/and SGA or big haters of Luka.

Oh and spare me the efficiency thing, if that was so important (especially for guards), MJ wouldn't be close to the GOAT title and the top 10 players of all time would probably all be centers.

Why are you using TEAM record?

Luka is 8-3. He had nothing to do with his team going 3-1 without him.

He has missed 4 of the allowed 17 games already this season.

[jg77]

Kind of weird some people have SGA ahead of Luka:

Luka 34.4 ppg / 8.9 rpg / 8.9 apg

SGA 31.9 ppg / 4.9 rpg / 7.7 apg

Sure OKC is the best team in the league but the MVP is an individual award not a team award so it's kind of weird playing on a more stacked team should give you the lead in the MVP race.

Did you watch their H2H matchup? Shai is clearly the better player at this point.

[greekman]

sga is having a better season than last and his team has a better record despite missing williams and chet in and out of the lineup. if SGA was averaging 20 ppg instead of 30 i'd still have him in the lead.