If media members vote how Anthony Edwards thinks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will win NBA MVP this season.
Speaking after the Minnesota Timberwolves lost, 113-105, to the Oklahoma City Thunder and last year’s MVP runner-up dropped 40 points on 15-of-23 shooting, Edwards was effusive in his praise of Gilgeous-Alexander.
“To me, he’s unguardable,” Edwards said. “As far as any 1-on-1 matchup, yeah, you can go on and give it up. Just give him two points most of the time. So, I think you got to trap him. Maybe that don’t work, but you got to try it. For sure, you got to send a second body, especially if he got a favorable matchup. Anytime he got somebody that he knows can’t guard him, ah, he going to score every time.”
Gilgeous-Alexander In A Zone
The Canadian is particularly unstoppable right now with three 40-point games in his last five outings. Since Dec. 19, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 34.7 points while shooting 58.7 percent from the field in seven games.
Against the Wolves, his 40-piece included a 19-point outburst in the third quarter that helped the Thunder win the quarter, 43-23, and seize complete control of the game.
“I feel like I’m flowing, like the game’s just coming,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m not pressing, not thinking, just out there hooping. The hard work’s paying off.”
For the season, the 26-year-old is now averaging 31.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks.
Heavy Competition
While Edwards acknowledged that reigning MVP Nikola Jokic is having another monster season with 31.0 points, 12.9 rebounds and 9.5 assists, he did also express that it would be tough to give the Serbian a fourth MVP ahead of what would be a first win for Gilgeous-Alexander.
“I don’t know if they could give it to [Jokic] again,” said Edwards, who had 20 points in the loss. “Yeah, I would say Shai. Yeah, he’s looking like the MVP, man. He was incredible once again tonight.
“He’s consistent every night. His team gonna give him the ball and just let him rock out every night. It’s nothing to think about. ‘Hey, get Shai the ball and he going to get busy, and then we’re going to figure it out after that.’ I love watching that. It’s incredible, man. If he is keeping him like that, I hope they give [MVP] to him this year for sure. I feel like he should have won it last year, but he’s playing out his mind right now.”
If Gilgeous-Alexander were to win the award, it would be the seventh consecutive year a non-American won the award and the first Canadian since Steve Nash won back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006.
Gilgeous-Alexander Appreciates Praise
Upon hearing of Edwards’ praise, Gilgeous-Alexander was quick to express his gratitude for recognition from a peer.
“No offense to you guys in the media, but the best satisfaction is when your peers and the guys that do the same thing for a living at a very high level that you do recognize and respect your craft and your talent,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s a really good feeling. Obviously, the caliber player he is, the sky’s the limit. Hard-fought battle tonight.”
