Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton strongly believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should win the MVP this season.
After the Indiana Pacers' 111-132 loss to the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton weighed in on the MVP race.
Haliburton believes that Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves the award for his leadership and impact on the league’s top team.
"I grew up in an era where the best player on the best team wins MVP every time," Haliburton said after the game. "I think our era is kind of getting away from that a little bit, which is fine because guys like [Nikola] Jokic are deserving when they win."
It's a debate that comes up every season—should the MVP go to the best overall player or the best player on the best team? Haliburton, however, thinks this year’s choice should be pretty clear.
"But even if you took away the fact that they have the best record, he [Gilgeous-Alexander] would still be the MVP. And then, when you add in the fact that they have the best record, it kind of makes it an easy decision."
Haliburton may not have an official vote, but he’s confident that Gilgeous-Alexander has the respect of his peers.
"I don't have a vote, but if you took a player poll, I bet he would win," Haliburton stated.
The numbers certainly back up his case. SGA has been phenomenal this season, averaging 32.9 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds across 71 games while leading Oklahoma City to a league-best 62-12 record.
