ESPN’s first Most Valuable Player straw poll of the season, conducted by reporter Tim Bontemps, points to a two-horse battle between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
The survey questioned 100 media members and awarded Gilgeous-Alexander 57 first-place votes and 865 total points. Jokic collected 42 first-place votes and 822 points, leaving the race separated by just 43 points. Luka Doncic finished a distant third in the balloting.
Why Gilgeous-Alexander Leads
Oklahoma City owns the NBA’s best record at 25-2, and the fourth-year guard is averaging 32.4 points while shooting nearly 56% from the field and better than 43% from three-point range. He is also logging fewer minutes than he has in any season since his rookie year.
Jokic Staying Close
Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double at 29.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 10.9 assists, with a field-goal percentage above 61%. His production has Denver sitting second in the Western Conference standings.
With little separation between the two stars after the opening poll, voters appear headed for an MVP discussion that could stretch deep into the spring.
Source: Hoops Wire
