Stephen A. Smith’s impassioned argument for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the NBA MVP highlights a significant belief in the young star’s impact on the game. Despite Nikola Jokic ultimately winning the award for the third time in four years, Smith adamantly defends his decision to cast his vote for Gilgeous-Alexander.
“No, I don’t feel that way. I have a vote. He did not get my vote. My vote went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who I think should have been the worthy recipient of this award. I wanna say this about Nikola Jokic because I don’t want people to misunderstand. He is great. He’s phenomenal. He’s a champion.”
“And I’m happy for him because I’m not trying to imply that he doesn’t deserve it, that he’s not worthy of such acclaim and such honor. What I’m saying is there’s a brother this year that I think has been vastly ignored. Um, I know he finished number two in the voting but I still feel that he hasn’t been appreciated enough Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.”
“I think he’s like 25 years… He was the third-leading scorer in the league this year averaging 30. He scored over 30, more than 50 games this year. He’s the third-leading scorer in the league. He’s one of the top leaders in the league in steals, field goal percentage shooting, etc.”
“The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the top two youngest teams in the entire NBA. They were the number one seed. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has everything to do with that.”
“When you consider what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander meant to the Oklahoma City Thunder, how young they are in the process, how he’s galvanized those boys. He’s played a role in galvanizing those boys. He is their clear, unapologetic leader.”
“He deserved it. And I think that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should have been the MVP.”
"I don't see how [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] didn't get this award. He deserved it."
—@stephenasmith on the NBA MVP award 👀 pic.twitter.com/vNhPY34N7Y
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 9, 2024
Smith begins by acknowledging Jokic’s greatness, praising his personality and contribution to the game of basketball. However, he firmly believes that Gilgeous-Alexander has been overlooked and underappreciated despite finishing second in the MVP voting.
The crux of Smith’s argument lies in Gilgeous-Alexander’s exceptional performance throughout the season. Averaging 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game, Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his versatility and leadership on the court.
His scoring prowess, coupled with his contributions in other statistical categories, played a pivotal role in leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the number-one seed in the Western Conference.
Smith emphasizes Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact on the Thunder’s success, highlighting his role as the team’s clear leader and galvanizing force. Despite their youth and inexperience, Gilgeous-Alexander inspired his teammates and propelled them to unprecedented heights.
The fact that Gilgeous-Alexander achieved such remarkable success with a relatively inexperienced roster further underscores his value to the team.
Smith acknowledges the challenges faced by Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, including injuries and roster adjustments. However, he maintains that the MVP award should be based solely on regular-season performance, where Gilgeous-Alexander’s contributions were undeniable.
Smith adamantly asserts that Gilgeous-Alexander deserved the MVP award for his exceptional performance and leadership throughout the season. While Jokic’s accomplishments are acknowledged, Smith believes that Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact on the Thunder’s success was unparalleled, making him the rightful recipient of the prestigious award.
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander Deserved It More Than Nikola Jokic
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s case for the NBA MVP award over Nikola Jokic is rooted in the exceptional leadership and impact he brought to the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) during the season. Despite Jokic’s impressive statistical performance, Gilgeous-Alexander’s contributions to his team’s success cannot be understated.
One of the most compelling arguments in favor of Gilgeous-Alexander is the age of the OKC team. With an average age of just 24.12 years old, the Thunder were the second youngest team in the NBA. Despite their youth and lack of experience, Gilgeous-Alexander guided them to the number one seed in the Western Conference, a feat that speaks volumes about his leadership and influence on the court.
In contrast, the Denver Nuggets had a more seasoned roster, with Jokic surrounded by established players. While Jokic’s statistics were undoubtedly impressive, leading a team with experienced players is different from leading a young and inexperienced squad like the Thunder.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s role as the clear leader of the Thunder cannot be overlooked. He had to lead from the front, inspiring and motivating his teammates to perform at their best. His ability to galvanize a young team and lead them to the top seed in the conference is a testament to his leadership qualities and impact on the court.
While Jokic’s statistics may have been more eye-catching, sometimes the narrative and context of a player’s performance carry more weight. Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to elevate his team despite their youth and inexperience demonstrates his value and importance to the Thunder’s success.
While Jokic’s statistical dominance is undeniable, Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership, impact, and the context of his performance make a compelling case for him to have been the deserving recipient of the MVP award over Jokic.
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