Back to Back MVPs, does Shai truly deserve it?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins the list of few players to have won back to back MVPs in the league. But does he truly deserve to be on that list?
It's never easy winning back to back MVPs. Dominance alone isn’t at stake. Now it's about legacy and narrative and whether the league wants to acknowledge one player as the new benchmark. That's where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is.
But was he rightfully deserving of it?
The Case For SGA
When it is done at a high level, it's no longer impressive, it's expected. This is what SGA is now.
He is able to score 30+ points efficiently night after night. He has a great mid-range game. Defenders know what to expect but it does not help them to stop him.
SGA is not just a scorer, he also has a good defensive player, leading the league in steals conversations and he could be a true two-way threat, that's a complete player.
Most importantly, he's the man behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. SGA has been the driving force that has made the Thunder a serious contender, and will continue to be in the near future.
And MVP voters appreciate that; elite numbers plus team success plus undeniable impact.
The Case Against Him
This is where it gets complicated
Think of LeBron James when he was at his peak or Stephen Curry at Golden State Warriors. However, there is still room for discussion with SGA.
Nikola Jokić is just one of the players who continues to set absurd all-time records in efficiency, playmaking and advanced stats, often topping anyone else.
In the meantime, Victor Wembanyama continues to be a force of nature on both ends, way too few players have ever been at his level in their third year in the league.
When it comes to output, Luka Doncic is arguably a better scorer than SGA. So, was SGA definitely better, or is it simply the most appropriate story and timing?
Then there is the “voter fatigue” paradox that is turned on its head. At times, they must have a fresh face to propel the league forward. SGA has the quiet, smooth game to fit the mold.
MVP shouldn't be a story, it's supposed to be about who was the most valuable, period.
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The Verdict
The reality: He was not the one who ruled the race from start to finish, but at no point did it seem as if he was not at the top.
He obtained them by ticking every box at a very high level, as MVPs are usually procured. Elite scoring, defense, team success, and consistency that most couldn’t duplicate, throughout the season.
Did he surely play the best basketball in the world during those two seasons? That remains to be seen.
But, did he make the most of his team, in those specific seasons, at that specific time?
It’s difficult to dispute.
But maybe this is the point. MVP doesn't always have to be the largest player in a vacuum, it's about being the player who dominates the era, even if it's for a short period of time.
At the moment, that’s Shai’s stretch.
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