For years, the NBA MVP award has been a coveted prize, a symbol of individual excellence meeting team success. But in the early stages of the 2025 season, the narrative has shifted from a race to a spectacle, a generational gathering of talent that veteran analysts are already comparing to the legendary 1988 battle involving titans like Bird, Magic, Jordan, Hakeem, and Barkley. This year, the spotlight burns brightest on five absolute beasts: Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and, standing above them all, the reigning two-time MVP and champion, Nikola Jokic.
The preseason chatter predicted chaos, and for a glorious month, it delivered. However, while the other contenders have showcased elite, superstar-level play, the Serbian center has quietly—and almost rudely—reasserted his dominance. He is not just participating in the MVP conversation; he is the conversation, turning what should be a fierce debate into a solemn acknowledgment that the best player in the world is still, by a considerable margin, the Joker.
The King of Contentment: Jokic’s Assault on Voter Fatigue
The biggest hurdle for any player seeking a third MVP is not opposing defenses, but the phenomenon known as “voter fatigue.” The collective desire for a fresh storyline, a new face to celebrate, often makes it excruciatingly difficult for a reigning champion to maintain his hold on the trophy. Yet, Jokic treats this narrative obstruction like he treats every possession: with calm, patient, and ultimately devastating brilliance.
He started the season, by his ludicrous standards, looking “almost human” in October, averaging a mere 20 points on 13 shots. But the moment the calendar flipped to November, the Maestro of Denver woke up, as if to remind the world: “All right, time to remind everyone who runs this league.” The resulting statistical eruption has been nothing short of historic.
Jokic is currently averaging 29.1 points, an NBA-leading 13.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 11.1 assists, stuffing the stat sheet like no center before him. Add in 1.6 steals and almost a block, and you have a player who is operating as a point guard trapped in a center’s body. His vision, touch, and patience dictate the rhythm of the entire game, moving the court at his pace while everyone else scrambles to keep up.
But the real, mind-boggling argument for Jokic lies in his efficiency. His true shooting percentage sits at a ridiculous 73.6%, an astronomical figure that is about 16% above the league average. This kind of near-30-point triple-double on what can only be described as “video game efficiency” should not be real. When you consider his November surge—jumping to 34 points a night while only taking six more shots—it shows the sheer, unstoppable nature of his offensive game the second he decides to take over. The Denver Nuggets are rolling with an 11-3 record, and the advanced metrics confirm his absolute dominance. When Jokic is on the floor, the Nuggets are 22.2 points better per 100 possessions—the strongest net rating impact in the entire league. This is straight proof that his presence flips the game the moment he checks in.
The Rising Tide: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Case for the Throne
If Jokic is the unshakable mountain, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the rapidly rising tide. The Oklahoma City Thunder star is currently the only player with a legitimate claim to unseat the reigning king, fueled by a record that has stunned the league. The Thunder currently boast an insane 15-1 record, pure dominance built on the back of SGA’s smooth, clinical scoring.
SGA is gliding past defenders like they are stuck in slow motion, dropping 31.9 points, 6.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and elite defensive numbers for a guard (1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks). His efficiency is elite: 59% on twos and a solid 38.5% from three, translating to a 66% true shooting percentage. This level of consistent, high-volume production makes him almost unguardable.
Crucially, the advanced stats validate the narrative that SGA is the primary engine behind OKC’s success. When he sits, the Thunder’s offense crashes to a 106 rating, meaning the team is 20.6 points better offensively with him on the court. That level of on/off impact is the signature of a true superstar carrying the load. Combined with OKC’s insane start, it’s getting harder to argue that he isn’t sitting near the very top of the MVP race.
The Scoring Machine: Luka Doncic’s Offensive Symphony
Luka Doncic continues his annual quest for the scoring crown, currently leading the entire league by dropping a jaw-dropping 34.6 points a night. When injuries aren’t a factor, it feels impossible for anyone else to catch him.
But Doncic is more than just a scorer; he’s an offensive savant, adding nine assists and 8.5 rebounds, and nearly two steals, which is on pace to be a career-high. Inside the arc, he is an artist, hitting a highly efficient 61.7% on twos by using angles and timing like he’s playing chess. He has mastered the art of the “mid-range and-one,” consistently hitting off-balance, one-handed floaters from 12 feet out while getting bumped, making circus shots look routine.
His efficiency (61.7% true shooting) ties his career best while he leads the league in scoring, placing him in elite company. However, Doncic’s primary obstacle remains his reliance on the three-point shot. He launches nearly 11 threes a game—more than anyone else—but only converts 31.7%. This inefficiency from deep is the only flaw keeping his overall profile from matching the hyper-elite numbers of Jokic and SGA. Even so, the Mavericks are a respectable 8-3 with him, showing that his complete offensive game is an immediate path to winning.
The Compelling Outsiders: Giannis and the Alien
Rounding out this legendary top five are two perennial contenders, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the league’s newest phenomenon, Victor Wembanyama.
Giannis is still a powerhouse, putting up a typical line of pure domination: 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, a career-high 6.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks. His 64% on two-point shots showcases his utter physical domination in the paint. Statistically, his on/off impact remains wild, sitting at a formidable +21. However, his case is primarily hampered by the Milwaukee Bucks’ mediocre 7-7 start. While analysts argue the record doesn’t tell the full story—with many close finishes—the lack of consistent wins forces him to slide down a stacked MVP ballot, though he is only a hot streak away from jumping right back into the top spot.
Victor Wembanyama, the “Alien,” is already delivering on the hype, putting up numbers that are “insane for someone this early in his career.” He is leading the NBA in defensive rebounds and blocks, swatting 3.6 shots a night, alongside 26.2 points and 12.9 rebounds. His defensive presence is already game-changing: the Spurs are 8.3 points worse defensively without him, giving him a respectable +5.7 net rating. His greatness is inevitable, but his chances are complicated by an expected month-long injury, which threatens to keep him from meeting the 65-game minimum requirement for award consideration.
The Final Verdict (For Now)
This 2025 MVP race is a gift to basketball fans, an all-time showdown that we are lucky to watch play out in real time. But if the season ended today, the answer remains clear: Nikola Jokic is the MVP.
His blend of statistical domination—leading the league in assists and rebounds while averaging nearly 30 points—combined with a team built on winning and efficiency that looks “fake” to the eye, makes his case undeniable. The Nuggets’ success is entirely tethered to his complete offensive and subtle defensive mastery.
Jokic is the best player in basketball. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s phenomenal team success and elite scoring place him a close second, followed by Luka Doncic’s historic scoring season at number three. Giannis and Wembanyama remain in the mix, but for now, they are chasing the shadow of a giant. Nikola Jokic has not only overcome the dreaded voter fatigue; he has made the other four generational talents look like they are fighting for second place. We are watching him at his peak, and it is a spectacle that may stand as one of the greatest offensive seasons in NBA history.
