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 his 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. His numbers tell the story: 31.5 points per game on a remarkably efficient 53% shooting from the field.
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 his team’s success through masterful playmaking – averaging 15.5 points and 11.5 assists in his first MVP season – Gilgeous-Alexander has become a scoring virtuoso who impacts every facet of the game.
His statistical profile puts him in rarefied air. Only Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade have matched his combination of 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 2+ steals, and 1+ block per game. Perhaps most impressive is his durability – he hasn’t missed a single game this season, suiting up for all 37 contests while other stars have struggled to stay healthy.
The accolades are already piling up. Back-to-back Western Conference Player of the Month awards and leading all guards in All-Star voting speak to his dominance. At 26, he’s entering his prime years – notably younger than Nash, who claimed his first MVP at 30.
The competition remains formidable. Jokic continues his 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 favor.
For Canadian basketball, his 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. He’s not just chasing an award; he’s expanding the 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 his 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.
