Will Nikola Jokic join Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Michael Jordan as the only players to win four NBA MVPs, or will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander win his first?

As the dust settles from the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the excitement begins to build for the league's most prestigious individual awards. The NBA recently revealed its top three finalists for each of the major honors, and the race for the MVP is particularly noteworthy, showcasing two star talents: Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokic, the reigning MVP, is looking to join a very exclusive club of players with four MVP titles, while Gilgeous-Alexander aims for his inaugural win. Jokic's standout season included averaging impressive stats of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, marking him as a formidable candidate for the award once again. On the other hand, Gilgeous-Alexander's exceptional season with a league-leading average of 32.7 points per game helped propel the Oklahoma City Thunder to a franchise-record 68 wins, a feat not matched since the Golden State Warriors' iconic 73-win season in 2016. Giannis Antetokounmpo also makes the MVP finalist list, further showcasing the competitive nature among the candidates. Historically, both Jokic and Antetokounmpo consistently perform at a stellar level, making the competition tighter yet intriguing. The league also announced finalists for other key awards, such as the Defensive Player of the Year, highlighting players like Draymond Green and Evan Mobley. The impact of up-and-coming talents like Dyson Daniels is notable as well. As awards anticipation builds, fans can expect announcements in the coming weeks. With each of these prestigious awards, there lies an element of unpredictability, including potential upsets as the voting trends and media coverage can sway perceptions leading up to the final results. Moreover, the voting system is based on a select group of media members, which can inject some degree of bias—or at least subjectivity—into the selections, as narratives throughout the season shape the voting preferences. In terms of commentary, while the MVP award often stands at the forefront, the increased focus on other awards such as the Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year highlights the growth of talent across the league. With players like Cade Cunningham and Victor Wembanyama generating buzz, the NBA landscape looks very promising for future seasons. This season's crop of finalists suggests that the NBA is shifting to embrace a new generation of stars, demonstrating the ongoing evolution of the game, which had been heavily dominated by veteran players in previous years. Overall, these awards symbolize not only individual excellence but also the competitive spirit that drives the league forward as a whole.