“LeBron James Would Have 15!”: Ex-Maverick Explains Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Will Win MVP Despite Nikola Jokic Being the Best Player

Joseph Galizia | 05/03/2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (L) and Nikola Jokic (R)

As the 2024-2025 NBA season nears its conclusion, the conversation for who will win league MVP is gathering steam. This has always been a tough conversation, not just for pundits but also for players. While there is usually some consensus, there is no dearth of controversy, disappointment, and shock either.

From Steve Nash’s multiple wins to Kobe Bryant’s single MVP season, this award is as controversial as it is prestigious. And the race this season is tight in its own right, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic being the frontrunners.

Lou Williams and ex-Mavericks player Chandler Parsons made a case for Oklahoma City Thunder’s superstar over Jokic on the latest edition of the Run It Back podcast. The debate went on similar lines to the one between Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett a few weeks back on the Ticket and the Truth podcast.

Pierce had backed Shai, while Garnett suggested that Jokic does things that are incredible on a basketball court, his points notwithstanding. However, Williams and Parsons’ analysis also asked a difficult question. Is the MVP always the best player in the league? And there began the disagreement.

Parsons made the case that even though SGA should win MVP, he would still name Jokic as the NBA’s best player. Williams disagreed, listing SGA’s impressive stats, specifically in scoring (SGA is averaging 32.6 PPG). He added that SGA’s play is the reason the Thunder are ranked top at the moment.

This prompted Parsons to discuss a hypothetical fantasy draft. While he took Jokic #1 overall, Lou chose SGA as his top pick. “He’s the best player on the best team,” Williams reiterated.

“Answer me this though: Does the best player in the NBA always win MVP?” Asked Parsons. When Williams responded “absolutely not“, Parsons felt like his point was made. “Right… Like LeBron [James] would have 15,” he said.

While Parsons remained adamant with his take, Williams did not back down and strongly supported Shai.

Williams believes SGA is the best pure scorer in the league

No amount of rational argument will convince Williams that someone else could also deserve the MVP this season. He explained why, in his mind, the race is truly over.

“At this point, I don’t know if there’s a debate anymore about where we stand with this MVP argument,” a confident Williams stated. “He’s the best pure scorer. He’s the best player in the league. He’s the MVP,” Lou said.

Williams’ argument is nearly bulletproof. SGA has had 59 20+ point games, 38 30+ point games, nine 40+ point games, and four 50+ point games this season. He leads the league in all those categories.

With OKC maintaining the second-best record in the league, it’s hard to refute Shai’s impact. The Canadian sensation is an absolute beast on the offensive end. His natural ability to drive, his shooting touch, and ability to draw fouls make him as lethal as they come.

As things stand, he is undeniably the most likely to win the award. But over 20 games still remain in the season. And if the past proves anything, it is that the NBA is unpredictable and stories and narratives change in a flash.

Post Edited By: Karthik Raman
Chandler Parsons LeBron James Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

About the author

Joseph Galizia

Joseph is a Las Vegas based actor and circus performer. For the last seven years he's had the pleasure of covering sports for multiple outlets, including the Lifestyles section of Sports Illustrated. In that time, he's conducted over 50 interviews with athletes, filmmakers, and company founders to further cement his footprint in the journalism world. He's excited to bring that skillset to the SportsRush, where he'll be covering the NBA news cycle.

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