[HitsterParticipant]

With it being the new year and top players saying SGA looks current favourite to be the 24/25 MVP I thought I’d give my view on the race.

SGA is the best player on the best team out West and is the 2nd leading scorer in the NBA. Also heading for his 3rd successive 30ppg season so is having the season and building a resume where he has to be a leading MVP fancy.

However current MVP Nikola Jokic is having his best ever season and if he was voted for previously then his current form is superior to when he won it before. But Denver aren’t as high up the standings as OKC so this could count against Jokic.

Giannis is leading the league in scoring and took the Bucks to NBA Cup success and after a bad start their form has pretty much matched anyone so he has to be an option.

Jason Tatum I thought was unlucky not to win it last season and again is in the top 4 for scoring and has his team 2nd in Eastern Conference so is making another strong case. But SGA has the stats advantage and a better team standing.

Wemby is continuing to dominate and evolve his game. He is in the top 10 for scoring and dominating on the defensive side but it might be too early for him to me a legit MVP contender. He must be a leading fancy to be Defensive Player of the Year and for various all NBA nods too.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I have to admit I haven’t watched as much NBA as NCAA since November, but from what I’ve gathered I’d say it’s mainly a 2 man race between SGA and Nikola… Tatum is solid, but Boston is good with or without him. Wemby isn’t on a good enough team yet. Giannis has been great since the summer but I’m not confident Milwaukee goes crazy until the end of the year. Denver not being as strong as they’ve been kind of opens the door for SGA. Nikola is carrying the Nuggets though.

[HitsterParticipant]

I agree its too early for Wemby but is he carrying the Spurs any less than Jokic is carrying Denver?

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Good point, and I’d have to go by the numbers since I haven’t watched the NBA like the NCAA. I watch more highlights or late games for the most part – Jokic wins by the numbers to me. The numbers I most compare to when comparing who’s better than who are the WS numbers along with Box +/- numbers and VORP. Jokic takes the cake on most those on an overall scale. Wemby is good, but he’s just not MVP material yet.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I have SGA first. You can pick stats and go for Jokic but to me the MVP is the player most valuable to his team and thats SGA. His teammates really look up to him and you can tell they not only follow his lead but all aspire to be like him. They have a great thing going on there in OKC.

I think alot of Denver’s issues come from Jokic’s lackidasical attitude at times. His nonchalant attempt at making people think he is not passionate about the game and would rather be somewhere else at times has rubbed off on his teammates which is why they are giving inconsistant efforts.

Doncic would be on the list too but he got hurt and may not play enough games to qualify now. I would probably have it
1.SGA
2.Giannis
3.Jokic
4..Tatum
5..Wemby
6.Davis

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

SGA this year might have a case for stats over Jokic imo.

[HitsterParticipant]

If the Spurs were one of the top 4 sides out West and Wemby was putting up his current numbers he’d be MVP potential but not there yet.

If Spurs and him kick on next season he could be an MVP contender as Derrick Rose won it in his 3rd season.

[HitsterParticipant]

Wemby and Jokic had a great head to head last night and I just noticed Wemby turns 21 years old today so happy birthday to him. You know I’m a big Wemby fan but if he can go head to head with a triple MVP who is at his peak this early in his career then his upside is still very scary.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

His upside is off the charts good for sure… if anyone were to change minds of the GOAT race ever, well it’s Wemby if he can stay healthy on this trajectory.

[HitsterParticipant]

Wemby could have a shout at getting to the top table of the best bigs ever Shaq,Kareem, Hakeem, Bill Russell, Wilt etc.

Whether Jokic is approaching that level yet we could also discuss. I just pulled the above list of bigs off the top of my head but KG, Duncan, Ewing, Robinson then spring to mind so there are a lot more.

LBJ did 27.2ppg in his second season and Wemby is a shade under 26ppg but LBJ played 42mpg plus then whilst Wemby is playing 33mpg!

[OhCanada-Participant]

I watched that game. Chris Paul has done wonders for Wemby. I’ve watched alot of Wemby this year and one thing I’ve noticed is how exhuasted he gets. I’m not sure if this is going to be something he learns to overcome throughout his career or something that gets worse but I do not see him averaging 4 blocks per game for the rest of his career. Its just too exhuasting expecting him to be all over the court like this.

[HitsterParticipant]

Wemby’s minutes will always be watched and his conditioning and strength should improve but with him going to be playing heavy minutes for France too then something may have to give. The Spurs know how to manage workloads to keep guys in peak shape for the play offs so I think they can overcome this.

I agree that CP3’s court vision and experience has been a huge boost for Wemby. He can find him with the pass and can keep the tempo at exactly the right speed for Wemby. I’d figure Castle having CP3 around him will help his game immensely too..

[Author]

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