Arguments for 5 players to win Kia MVP and ROY

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We have a five-part series called “What we saw“, which examines the top contenders on the Kia Rookie Ladder and the Kia MVP Ladder.

Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren were the league's best rookies, while Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were the league's most valuable players according to the rankings.

As each player completes their case for the hardware, it's time to revisit their most impressive moments, best stats and what made them famous in the film room this season.

Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic is a special offensive talent, not just in today's NBA, but in the history of the game. He's a 6-foot-1, 220-pound point guard with incredible skills, able to get to the basket, shoot from distance and complete any pass on the floor. There is no right way to defend him because he always takes whatever the defense wants to give him. Sometimes he takes what they want not would like to give. He's only 25 years old and will definitely be an MVP candidate for many years to come. Go deeper.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a great offensive player who controls the game at his own pace and can make the best defenders in the league look silly. He is also an incredibly disruptive and often strong defender. He is the leader of one of the two teams ranked in the top five on both ends of the floor. And as the Oklahoma City Thunder went from sub-.500 to one of the league's top four teams last season, Gilgeous-Alexander has gone from All-Star to MVP candidate. Go deeper.

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

They had to wait a year, but the Oklahoma City Thunder clearly have a franchise cornerstone in Kia Rookie of the Year candidate Chet Holmgren. The Thunder were the league's most improved team in winning percentage and the second most improved team in point differential per 100 possessions as they saw significant improvement in efficiency on both offense and defense. And Holmgren is one of the main reasons why. Go deeper.

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic's candidacy for Kia MVP has had many elements in recent seasons, and they're all back this season. If box score numbers are your thing, Jokic puts up some we haven't seen in more than 60 years. He is once again one of the most efficient scorers in the league. His value is evident in how much better the Denver Nuggets are when he is on the floor. And when you watch the defending champions, you quickly realize that he is at the heart of everything they do. Go deeper.

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama was the most anticipated draft prospect in 20 years and he absolutely lived up to the hype. The 20-year-old from outside Paris is a nightly highlight, but also a newcomer who is making a big impact on a team that was lucky enough to win the lottery ten months ago. He is already one of the best defenders in the league and is showing on the other side that he is unstoppable. Go deeper.

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John Schuhmann is a senior statistical analyst for NBA.com. You can email him here, his archive can be found here and Follow him on X.

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