MVP to Shai? Melo: “If He Wins, He’ll Be on LeBron and Jordan’s Level”
Carmelo Anthony weighs in on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: if he wins MVP, the Canadian would enter a conversation reserved for LeBron James and Michael Jordan. A comparison that sparks debate
We’re in the final stretch of the regular season, and the MVP race has turned into a two-man battle – one that divides analysts and legends alike. Despite the global rise of Victor Wembanyama, who has led San Antonio to 57 wins, many believe the throne belongs to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
His Oklahoma City Thunder not only lead the West but hold the best record in the league at 60-16, putting SGA in a commanding position that even the Detroit Pistons, first in the East at 55-21, struggle to challenge.
I love Wemby. I love what he’s doing, I love what he’s bringing to the game, to his team, that energy. In the years to come, he’ll lead every statistical category. But right now, Shai has the award in his hands
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony has no doubts. The former New York Knicks star praised the Canadian, pointing to Wilt Chamberlain’s record for consecutive 20-point games and a shooting efficiency (55% from the field) that makes him lethal from anywhere on the floor.
135 games with 20 or more points – he broke Wilt’s record. He’s shooting 55% from the field. He’s having a better MVP season than last year, leading the league in clutch scoring and carrying the defending champions, maybe again to the best record in the NBA. If that’s not MVP, then I don’t know what is
Carmelo Anthony
However, Anthony went beyond statistical analysis, launching a bold take destined to spark debate: if Shai wins this year, he should be considered on the same level as LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Bill Russell.
If he wins this year, he’ll be on the level of LeBron, MJ, and Bill Russell
Carmelo Anthony
Here’s where the narrative clashes with reality. While SGA’s 31.6 points per game are undeniably impressive, the comparison feels, at the very least, premature. The names cited by Melo each boast four or five MVP awards; for Gilgeous-Alexander, this would be “only” his second career honor.
Talking about surpassing icons like Stephen Curry or Giannis Antetokounmpo is already a bold exercise – let alone placing him among basketball’s absolute Mount Rushmore. More than a declaration of dominance, this MVP could represent a generational shift: the recognition of the league’s new face, without rewriting its historic legacy – at least not yet.