It’s one thing to be overlooked, another to simply be inconvenient.
Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ star, not being selected as an MVP finalist fits the latter. Some voters seemed perplexed; Doncic’s remarkable season didn’t align with their expectations. Perhaps to avoid dealing with the challenge, they opted to ignore him.
Was that the right choice? Well, opinions might vary. But, maybe there’s a solution somewhere that will ease discomfort on all sides.
Let’s first highlight the actual finalists: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic.
These players are all exceptional, situated at the top of the Western Conference. Each one is a key contributor to their teams, demonstrating elite skills on both offense and defense. They essentially check all the right boxes.
However, evaluating MVP shouldn’t just be about a simple checklist; there’s much more weight to it. It involves a sort of instinct or, perhaps, an emotional response when you witness one of the game’s finest performers. It’s like seeing a defense put everything they have against a player, only to realize it’s futile.
No one has evoked that feeling more this season than Doncic.
Let’s be clear: he led the league in scoring with an average of 33.5 points per game—over two points more than SGA. He also racked up 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds while claiming over 100 steals. Doncic didn’t just show up; he was undeniably dominant. Historically, no player has averaged more than 30 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds on a team that won 50-plus games and missed out on MVP—until now, with Doncic achieving this twice.
And remember, he had to carry the Lakers through a lot of struggles this season.
The Lakers didn’t start smoothly. LeBron James was sidelined for the first 14 games due to sciatica, yet Doncic managed to lead the team to a 10-4 record. As the season progressed, more injuries hit, including one to Austin Reaves, the second leading scorer. The Lakers seemed like they were constantly changing. Still, Doncic was the steady hand steering the ship.
When teammates reflected on Doncic not being an MVP finalist, their responses were immediate.
“You can tell he’s the MVP,” said Lakers forward Rui Hachimura. “He’s clearly the MVP of this league. He brings so much to every game.”
That’s not just analysis; it’s something they’ve experienced firsthand.
Inevitably, advanced stats come into play, leading to chatter and perhaps even some unfair critiques of Doncic.
Critics might note Doncic’s plus-4 net rating compared to Jokic’s plus-10.4, and SGA’s plus-14.8. Defensively, Doncic trails behind the other finalists, each of whom excel in this area. Wemby, notably, recently became the youngest and first unanimous winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Sure, these points are valid.
But since when has MVP consideration solely boiled down to how “perfect” individual players are, instead of recognizing a player’s overall value to their team?
It’s been a long time since the leading scorer took a top MVP spot; the last was Russell Westbrook in the 2014-15 season.
The scrutiny surrounding Doncic’s MVP candidacy raises eyebrows. He can dominate the ball, exhibit high emotions, and rack up technical fouls. Plus, his defense can be inconsistent. Yet, in March, he affirmed his dominance over the league. The Lakers boasted a 16-2 record in that stretch, and Doncic earned Player of the Month honors, breaking a franchise record held by Kobe Bryant and ranking just behind Michael Jordan in scoring.
“If we finish strong and he maintains this level, I think he should be crowned MVP,” said Lakers head coach JJ Reddick at that time.
Even Doncic himself commented on the MVP chatter, joking about how better play seems to sink his ratings.
Then April arrived.
In a crucial game against SGA and the Thunder, Doncic faced a pivotal moment for his MVP bid. Unfortunately, he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring injury, causing the Lakers to lose by 43 points. The timing couldn’t have been more detrimental. Doncic would miss the last five games—just as voters were finalizing their choices.
Compounding matters, MVP considerations can hinge on fleeting moments. That night against OKC may have cost him the award.
If he had stayed healthy and the Lakers had played well, likely, the conversation would be different. Doncic wouldn’t just be a finalist but potentially the frontrunner.
Was he ridiculed? Not exactly, but he was sidelined.
While voters didn’t completely overlook him, they gravitated towards players fitting the evolving expectations of an MVP: those who excel on both sides of the court and are focused on team success throughout the season.
Yet, this omission uncovers a broader issue. The league seems to need changes.
It’s evident that the minimum games threshold isn’t the only area for adjustment. Other potential moves could be beneficial, like introducing an NBA Offensive Player of the Year award. If that existed, there wouldn’t even be a doubt that Doncic would walk away with it.
