Nearly two decades after Steve Nash’s back-to-back MVP seasons electrified the basketball world, another Canadian stands on the precipice of NBA history.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dynamic guard, has emerged as the odds-on favorite to capture the 2024-25 NBA Most Valuable Player award, poised to become just the second Canadian to reach this pinnacle.
The Hamilton, Ontario native’s journey to the top of the MVP race has been methodical and purposeful. Following a runner-up finish to Nikola Jokic last season, the 26-year-old has elevated his game to unprecedented heights, orchestrating one of the most complete individual seasons in NBA history.
The numbers tell the story: a league-leading 31.5 points per game on a remarkably efficient 53% shooting from the field. More impressive still, Gilgeous-Alexander tops the NBA in win shares, establishing himself as the most impactful player in the league.
In Oklahoma City, team success has followed individual brilliance. The Thunder recently pieced together a franchise-record 15 consecutive victories before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in what many viewed as a potential NBA Finals preview.
During this streak, Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance reached new levels – four 40+ point performances, including consecutive 40-point outings that left opponents searching for answers.
“What we’re witnessing transcends statistics,” says Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. “Shai has transformed our franchise with his presence alone.”
The path to MVP consideration looks different now than it did in Nash’s era. While the Phoenix Suns legend orchestrated team success through masterful playmaking – averaging 15.5 points and 11.5 assists in first MVP season – Gilgeous-Alexander has become a scoring virtuoso who impacts every facet of the game.
A relentless attacking style has led to league-leading marks in both free throws made (259) and field goal attempts, showcasing an ability to generate offence in multiple ways.
The statistical profile puts him in rarefied air. Only Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade have matched this combination of 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 2+ steals, and 1+ block per game.
The current season also marked a major milestone as Gilgeous-Alexander eclipsed 10,000 career points, becoming just the third Canadian to reach this threshold after Nash and Andrew Wiggins – a testament to scoring ability and consistency.
Beyond the NBA hardwood, the accolades continue to mount. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gilgeous-Alexander finished as the tournament’s second-leading scorer with 21 points per game, following a standout performance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This international success has only bolstered the MVP case, demonstrating excellence at the highest levels of competition worldwide.
Back-to-back (November and December) Western Conference Player of the Month awards and leading all guards in All-Star voting speak to this sustained dominance. At 26, Gilgeous-Alexander enters his prime years – notably younger than Nash, who claimed his first MVP at 30.
The competition remains formidable. Jokic continues brilliant play in Denver, while Giannis Antetokounmpo dominates in Milwaukee. Yet something feels different this time around. After finishing second last season with 15 first-place votes to Jokic’s 79, the momentum has shifted decisively in Gilgeous-Alexander’s favour.
For Canadian basketball, this ascension represents more than individual achievement. From Nash’s revolutionary impact to the current wave of Canadian talent in the NBA, Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP campaign feels like a culmination.
The quest extends beyond personal accolades, expanding possibilities for an entire generation of Canadian players.
The remaining question isn’t whether Gilgeous-Alexander belongs in the MVP conversation – it’s whether anyone can match this impact in what’s becoming a season for the ages. The Maurice Podoloff Trophy might soon have a new home north of the border, and the NBA’s landscape looks all the richer for it.
