Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had a brilliant season, and in leading his team to the top of the Western Conference by a street and then some, is now the overwhelming favourite with all betting sites in Australia to win his inaugural MVP. SGA has been on autopilot all season long, developing into the most consistent and prolific scorer in the league. He is averaging 32.8 points per game for the season on an impressive 52.2% from the field, and with the number of free throws he gets his true shooting percentage is among the game’s elite.
Add to that some high-quality defence and 6.4 assists, and you’ve got MVP-worthy numbers no matter which way you twist it. Making Gilgeous-Alexander’s season even more impressive is that, courtesy in no small part of his own brilliance, the Thunder blow opposing teams out as regularly as anyone, meaning their starters are often not needed in the final quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander averages a relatively low 34.2 minutes per game – just marginally higher than his points average – and were he and his Thunder a little less dominant he could easily be averaging close to 35 points per game. Gilgeous-Alexander appears destined to win this season’s MVP and would be a very deserving winner, but unfortunately NBA betting sites have all but handed him the word and are offering little more than bank interest for him to win it. It’s hard to see any other outcome, but at this point in time there is little point on backing him to win.
Bet on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win the MVP @ $1.02 with Unibet
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
Poor old Nikola Jokic. This has probably been the best season of what is rapidly becoming an historically great career, and having won three MVPs and probably deserving another during it there would be good reason to expect him to win another this season. Alas, that is not the way the narrative has trended and if the betting apps are to believed, it is not likely to happen. Unlikely as it seems now though, the race is not completely over, nor should it be. The Nuggets star is averaging absolutely ridiculous numbers this season; 29.7 points per game while shooting 57.5% from the field and 41.6% from the field, to go with 12.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.2 steals. His Nuggets team is not as good as Shai’s Thunder, but his impact on them is probably greater as without him they would almost certainly fail to make the playoffs.
Despite his brilliant season, the narrative appeared to be shifting in the favour of SGA as the season wore on, and a five-game absence for Jokic in March certainly did not help – particularly with the Thunder star putting up even better numbers than usual in that time. But Jokic returned with a 39-point triple-double in his first game back, and two games later scored a ridiculous 61-point triple-double on 18-29 shooting. It might seem like the MVP award is already decided, and with only a handful of games left it will probably be difficult for Jokic to change anyone’s mind who has already settled on Shai. If he manages to end the season with a couple more absurd performances like the aforementioned 61-pointer against the Timberwolves then who knows, maybe it will sway a few voters. If it were up to me, Jokic would be winning this award, and while that does seem unlikely, with the odds the way they are he is clearly the value pick at this point in the season.
Bet on Nikola Jokic to win the MVP @ $11.00 with Unibet
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Another man who probably feels he has deserved a little more consideration in the MVP discussion this season is Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time winner has had another terrific season out in Milwaukee, putting up the same kinds of numbers that he has for years now; 30.4 points per game on 60.2% shooting, 11.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists. Bearing in mind he is also an elite defender, and you’ve got a player having a serious impact. But while Giannis remains one of the best players in the league, he has been outside the top couple in the MVP for a few years now for a couple of reasons. No doubt there is an element of voter fatigue – he won it twice in a row and while he’s continued to produce at a very high level, hasn’t really taken a notable step forward – but more significant is simply the incredible level of play of guys like Jokic, SGA, and in the past, Joel Embiid.
Also going against Antetokounmpo is the fact that his Bucks team just continues to disappoint. The Bucks will finish in the top six in the East to make the playoffs, but in the far inferior Conference, they will only finish with around 45 wins. That’s not Giannis’ fault and he is the reason they are in the playoffs at all, but team results do matter – as is evident in the Jokic vs Gilgeous-Alexander conversation. Giannis has had another terrific season, but don’t expect him to be getting any first-place votes in the MVP.
Bet on Giannis Antetokounmpo to win the MVP @ $501.00 with Unibet
