Carmelo Anthony Endorses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for NBA MVP

As the 2025-2026 NBA regular season approaches its conclusion, the competition for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award intensifies. Key candidates include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. Carmelo Anthony, a former NBA star, has publicly endorsed Gilgeous-Alexander as the frontrunner for the MVP title, asserting, “To me, I think it’s clear cut. I think it’s Shai. It’s the best team in the NBA. Best player on the team. That’s hard to argue.”

HeavyNewsweekCarmelo Anthony Names the NBA’s Clear-Cut MVP This Season

Gilgeous-Alexander, 27, is having a standout season, averaging 31.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting a career-high 55.3% from the field. His performance has been instrumental in the Thunder's success, as they currently hold the best record in the NBA at 56-15 and are on an 11-game winning streak. Despite a right abdominal strain that sidelined him earlier in the season, Gilgeous-Alexander has returned to form, recently breaking a record previously held by Wilt Chamberlain for consecutive 20-point games.

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The Thunder's roster, featuring players like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, is well-positioned for a playoff push. Williams is expected to return from injury, bolstering the team's chances as they aim for a second consecutive NBA championship. The Thunder's strong performance has placed them ahead of the Spurs, who are three games behind in the Western Conference standings. The competition remains fierce, with the Spurs and the Lakers also vying for playoff positioning.

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Carmelo Anthony's endorsement of Gilgeous-Alexander highlights the player's impact on both ends of the court, stating, “When you see an MVP, you know it.” This sentiment reflects the consensus among many analysts and fans regarding Gilgeous-Alexander's contributions to the Thunder's success.

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While Gilgeous-Alexander is a leading candidate, concerns about his potential ineligibility for the MVP award due to the NBA's 65-game minimum requirement have been raised. He can afford to miss a few more games before facing disqualification, which could affect his chances if he does not maintain his health through the season's final stretch.

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The Thunder's upcoming match against the Philadelphia 76ers will be crucial as they look to solidify their position heading into the playoffs. With only 11 games remaining, the race for the MVP award and playoff seeding is expected to remain competitive, particularly between the Thunder and the Spurs.

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• “The players know who the real MVP is. That’s all that matters… To me I think it’s clear cut. I think it’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s the best team in the NBA. Best player on the team. That’s hard to argue.” — Carmelo Anthony, Former NBA Player

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• “It’s the best team in the NBA. Best player on the team. That’s hard to argue.” — Carmelo Anthony, Former NBA Player

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• “When you see an MVP, you know it.” — Carmelo Anthony, Former NBA Player

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This season's MVP race, particularly the spotlight on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, illustrates the dynamic nature of the NBA as teams prepare for the playoffs while individual accolades are contested.

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