James Harden’s reveals feelings of NBA players on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Nikola Jokic MVP race

Clippers star James Harden opened up on the NBA MVP award race involving stars like Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

James Harden’s reveals feelings of NBA players on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Nikola Jokic MVP race

James Harden picks the MVP

With the 2024-25 season coming to an end, all attention drifted towards the 2025 NBA MVP candidates. While stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum performed admirably for their sides, there’s no doubt that the Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and the OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are front-runners for the award.

Notably, NBA reporter Rachel Nichols recently opened up this matter and provided an interesting take on her podcast show. Nichols explained that she spoke with the Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden regarding Jokic and SGA battling it out for the MVP award. In the podcast, Nichols stated that Harden and all the other players want SGA to win the award.

YouTube video

But on the other hand, Harden also claimed that Jokic is the ‘best player’ in the NBA. Despite this, they want to see SGA winning the award due to the season he has had with the Thunder.

All the players, we want to see Shai win MVP because of the season he had and the winning… But of course Jokic is the best player.

James Harden told Rachel Nichols

Given that Jokic has won the award multiple times and SGA has done sufficient to merit it, Harden seems to be considering not only the team’s success edge over Jokic but also the fact that Gilgeous-Alexander deserves it.

The reason is mostly because Harden is well-versed in MVP contests. For most of his tenure with the Houston Rockets, he was a major topic of conversation. In 2018, he eventually took home the trophy after his Rockets finished with 65 victories and a 30-point season.

Although the other contenders for MVP and other honors are likely to be revealed on TNT on April 20th, the two overseas stars are still viewed as being in a two-horse race. Only time will tell who gets awarded the coveted award between Jokic and SGA.

NBA insider makes his case straight on the NBA MVP race

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic vying for the league’s top individual award, one of the most exciting NBA MVP races in recent memory is nearing the end. Notably, NBA insider Bill Simmons did not waste any time making a clear choice between the two stars. Simmons went with the consistent Nuggets star, Jokic, and explained his choice on his podcast.

I voted for Jokic. I thought it was the best offensive season I’ve seen since Jordan—what he did game after game, quarter after quarter. All the stuff he did for that team… To be top three in points, rebounds, and assists is bonkers. I just can’t believe it.

Bill Simmons said on his podcast
YouTube video

Simmons makes a valid point. Jokic’s numbers have been getting better every year, and he has continued to develop into a historically powerful player. It would be the first time in NBA history that a player with this kind of play does not win MVP if he does not win the title this year, despite averaging a triple-double.

Nikola Jokic opened up on the Clippers’ Ivica Zubac going into the NBA playoffs

The Denver Nuggets have an exciting challenge in the first round of the NBA playoffs: the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers boast huge names like James Harden and Kawhi Leonard going into this matchup. However, the Nuggets star, Nikola Jokic, has his eyes set on someone else: Ivica Zubac, one of the league’s underrated big men.

I’ve played against him a lot for a long period of time. I think he’s really improving… He’s really evolving his game. I think that’s big for him. He’s getting better and he’s gonna get move involved. He’s a really good defender, of course. He’s a big body who can block a lot of shots… It’s gonna be a fun matchup I think.

Nikola Jokic said in a recent press conference

The two big men of their respective sides will go head-to-head against each other once again this season. Zubac has fared well in the 4 times he played against the Nuggets this season, splitting the results equally. Throughout the four games, he averaged 13.3 points and 11.0 rebounds. However, the Clippers star will be looking to take his game a step ahead going into the playoffs.