What’s an NBA regular season finale without a few blockbuster matches preceding it? And last night was one for the history books. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets showdown didn’t just shake up the standings again. It reignited the MVP debate between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This time, it’s ’21 NBA champion Jeff Teague throwing his opinion into the mix. But before Teague even got involved, Dwyane Wade had already set the debate on fire with his take.
At this point, it feels like there’s nothing more Jokić can do to secure his fourth MVP. The decision to crown SGA as this year’s MVP seems locked in. But then, Jokić went and dropped an insane 61/10/10 triple-double. That had to change the odds, right? Well… not enough to make it a real contest. And Dwyane Wade made it clear why. Statistically, SGA still leads in total scoring, averaging 32.8 points and 6.4 assists per game, adding up to 2,361 points across 72 games. Meanwhile, Jokic is averaging 29.7 points and 10.2 assists, totaling 1,933 points over 65 games. The problem? MVP fatigue.
Wade, on his podcast, suggested that “MVP fatigue” could be a real factor, meaning voters might hesitate to give Jokic another one simply because he’s already won three, including last season. Isn’t that a little unfair? But he didn’t just hand SGA the award either. He made it clear: “SGA’s gotta cross that finish line.” Now, Jeff Teague is echoing that sentiment. On the latest Club 520 Podcast, he didn’t hold back: “Let’s have a real conversation here. Jokic is the MVP. I know Shai’s gonna win it, but Jokić is top five in every main stat.”
Mar 23, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) practices before the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Just like D-Wade, Teague seems to agree that SGA may win the MVP, but Jokic still owns the hearts of the debate. However, the latest ESPN straw poll tells a different story. Of 100 NBA insiders polled, 77 voted for SGA, while only 23 sided with Jokic. So, while the race may feel closer in fan debates, the numbers show SGA as the clear favorite. Though maybe not as overwhelmingly as the odds suggest.
Why Dwyane Wade, a three-time NBA champion, remains an MVP Mirage
Dwyane Wade has almost done it all. NBA champion, Finals MVP, 13-time All-Star, Hall of Famer, jersey retired—everything. But there’s one thing that always slipped through his fingers: a regular-season MVP award. And the closest he ever got? The 2008-09 season, when he went head-to-head with LeBron James.
The Flash led the league in scoring that year, but Bron wasn’t far behind, just 82 points short. Both finished with over 2,300 points for the season, making it one of the tightest MVP races ever. But when it came to the full stat sheet, the king had the edge. More importantly, he became just the fourth player in the post-merger era to lead his team in every major category: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
Despite being open about missing out on MVP, D-Wade understands why it went to LeBron. A few years ago, on the Club Shay Shay Podcast, he admitted: “Of course. But I also understand why LeBron won it. I think they won 67 games, and he averaged roughly the same. Like I understand it, but as an individual player, that was my MVP year.”
So, while Wade’s name is cemented in NBA history, the MVP trophy remains the one thing missing from his legendary resume. But with a career like his, does it really matter?
The post Echoing Dwyane Wade’s ‘Fatigue’ Take, Ex-NBA Champ Drops “MVP” Truth Bomb Amid Jokic’s Historic Surge appeared first on EssentiallySports.
