The MVP debate again has become one of the most fiercely argued topics in basketball, continuing a trend that began the moment Nikola Jokic became a perennial MVP candidate. Unfortunately, that passion has often crossed the line into toxicity.
Before 2023, several high-profile figures in the national media routinely disrespected Jokić. The discourse hit its most uncomfortable point when Kendrick Perkins of ESPN accused the Serbian star of benefiting from white privilege, which allowed him to win his MVPs. It was a claim lacking any real substance and was clearly a maliciously intended distortion of facts to hurt his chances at winning his third consecutive MVP. That’s why it was all the more satisfying to see the former NBA big man be exposed, just months later, when Jokić silenced his haters by leading the Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history.
Since that title run, the tone around Jokic has largely shifted. The loudest critics have changed their tune. He’s no longer “the worst MVP ever”, but rather a generational great. Funny how things change after one championship playoff run when you finally have a healthy and competitive team. And yet, here we are again—only this time, the dynamic has slightly changed.
Now, it’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander whose MVP campaign is being undermined. Sadly, much of the criticism is coming from people who claim to be Jokic fans. If you truly followed Joker through the years of undeserved hate, how could you now turn around and do the same to another player?
Jokic Fans, Don’t Become What You Once Hated
The truth is, many of these people aren’t real fans. They’re opportunists—bandwagoners and grifters latching onto the latest popular narrative where they know that the pushback will be minimal. And now they’re utilizing the same lazy arguments once used against Jokic to discredit SGA.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that fans should shy away from healthy basketball debates. The Joel Embiid vs. Jokić MVP races, for example, could have sparked plenty of thoughtful and compelling discussions. But just like back then, what could have been a celebration of two incredible individuals battling for the regular season’s highest honor has instead spiraled into tribalism. Only this time, it’s Jokić supporters who believe they hold the moral high ground, discrediting SGA until he wins a championship. Ironically, that argument would only last a couple more weeks, assuming the Thunder go on to win it all this year.
Both are More Similar Than Many Think
In many ways, SGA mirrors Jokic. He’s not flashy or explosively athletic, yet he still can dominate offensively with incredible efficiency without relying on viral highlights. It’s fair to question his reliance on free throws or get frustrated with the occasional soft call that goes his way. But let’s be clear: this isn’t even close to what we saw with prime James Harden and the Moreyball-era Rockets. That team, aided by a horrific ruleset at the time, sucked the joy out of the game of basketball with constant foul-baiting and an endless stream of free throws off cheap fouls. SGA’s game is not even close to being in that dimension.
Let’s move beyond surface-level debates and start having more meaningful conversations about basketball. This year’s playoff series offered a fascinating look into each MVP’s game, as both Jokic and SGA had to adapt to elite defensive schemes designed specifically to neutralize their greatest strengths. It also challenged some common narratives, including the supposedly massive gap between them on the defensive end.
Completely Contrasting Regular Seasons
At the end of the day, when it comes to the MVP race between Jokic and SGA this season, it ultimately boils down to this: The Nuggets had an underwhelming regular season in which they fell short of expectations, leading to the firings of both head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth. Their biggest issue wasn’t just a lack of personnel—it was mainly poor defensive effort, especially from their superstar. And we know this because this same roster, especially Jokic, proved in the playoffs that they could lock in and play elite, championship-level defense when it mattered. Their series against the Thunder, which came down to the wire, showed that Denver wasn’t 18 games worse than OKC in terms of quality.
But by coasting through stretches of the regular season, the Nuggets gave up home-court advantage without much resistance. And this came back to haunt them. They drew a brutally tough first-round matchup against the Clippers, in addition to them having to play a Game 7 in Oklahoma, all of which ultimately contributed to this second-round loss.
Meanwhile, SGA led a very young Thunder team comfortably to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, setting the tone with his exemplary defensive effort and leadership. The result was a team that barely had any off nights and blew out most teams. Denver, in a glaring contrast, couldn’t even beat the Washington Wizards this year.
A Message to the REAL Jokic Fans
So, to the real Nuggets and Jokic fans: Please don’t become what you once hated. Don’t minimize SGA’s greatness the way Nick Wright once did with Jokic. Don’t bring in personal attacks or off-court narratives like Kendrick Perkins did in the past. True basketball fans should be able to appreciate both of these players and be thankful for the unforgettable MVP races they’ve given us.
Congratulations, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. You’ve earned every bit of your first MVP.
Photo credit: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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