2025-11-12 13:00
As I sit here watching the Lakers-Clippers matchup from last night for the third time, I can't help but marvel at what we're witnessing in this unprecedented NBA season. The MVP race has become absolutely fascinating, and if I'm being completely honest, I've never seen a three-way battle this intense in my fifteen years covering the league. The three powerhouses are assured of the top three spots and the homecourt advantage in the North playoffs, but what's truly remarkable is how each of their superstars has elevated their game to historic levels. Let me break down what I'm seeing from my perspective as someone who's analyzed every twist and turn of this incredible race.
When we talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo, we're discussing a player who's putting up numbers we haven't seen since Wilt Chamberlain. The guy is averaging 31.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while leading the Bucks to what should be the league's best record. I've had the privilege of watching him develop from a raw prospect into this absolute force of nature, and what strikes me most is his relentless improvement. Remember when people said he couldn't shoot? He's now hitting 35% from three-point range while taking nearly five attempts per game. The defensive impact is where he really separates himself though - I've charted his games and the way he erases entire offensive schemes is something you have to see repeatedly to fully appreciate. My concern, and this is purely from observation, is whether voter fatigue will work against him. Winning back-to-back MVPs is incredibly difficult, and while he's certainly deserving, I wonder if the narrative might shift toward someone new.
Then there's LeBron James, who at 35 years old is putting together one of the most impressive seasons of his legendary career. I've been covering LeBron since his Miami days, and what he's doing this season genuinely surprises even me. The Lakers have the Western Conference locked up, and he's averaging 25.7 points, 10.6 assists, and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 49% from the field. The assist numbers particularly stand out - he's leading the league while playing primarily as a point forward, something we haven't seen from him before. What really blows my mind is his basketball IQ at this stage of his career. I was talking to a scout friend recently who pointed out that LeBron is essentially coaching on the floor while simultaneously being the best player. The narrative around his age and carrying the Lakers back to relevance is powerful, and from where I sit, this might be his strongest MVP case since his Miami tenure.
James Harden represents the wild card in this race, and I'll admit I've gone back and forth on him all season. The scoring numbers are absolutely ridiculous - 34.4 points per game while taking nearly 13 three-pointers per contest. I've never seen offensive creation like what he's providing this season, and having watched his evolution from sixth man to MVP, the transformation has been remarkable. The Rockets' small-ball experiment has unleashed him in ways I didn't think possible, and his usage rate of 38.5% is historically high. My reservation, and this is purely personal observation, is whether voters will hold the team's overall record against him. While Milwaukee and LA have dominated their conferences, Houston has been fighting for positioning, and that might ultimately cost him crucial votes.
What makes this race particularly fascinating from my perspective is how each candidate represents a different basketball philosophy. Giannis is the two-way force, LeBron the ageless wonder, and Harden the offensive system unto himself. I've spoken with several voters in recent weeks, and the split seems genuinely divided. The advanced metrics tell different stories depending on which ones you prioritize - Giannis leads in PER at 31.7, LeBron in win shares at 12.8, and Harden in offensive box plus-minus at 8.5. Having covered previous MVP races, I can tell you that team success typically weighs heavily, which gives Giannis and LeBron an edge. But Harden's individual brilliance cannot be ignored, and I suspect there will be voters who simply can't look past those scoring numbers.
If you're asking for my personal take, and remember I've been watching these guys night in and night out, I'd lean toward LeBron getting the nod. The narrative of his carrying the Lakers back to the top of the West after their disappointing previous season, combined with his doing it at age 35, creates a story that's hard to resist. That said, I wouldn't be surprised by any of the three winning, and I think the final voting will be closer than many expect. What's clear is that we're witnessing something special, and regardless of who takes home the hardware, all three have provided us with seasons worthy of celebration. The real winners here are basketball fans who get to watch these incredible athletes push each other to new heights every single night.
