A Complete Guide to the NBA Regular Season MVP List and Winners
2025-11-17 11:00
As I sit down to analyze the NBA MVP race this season, I can't help but reflect on how much this award means not just to players, but to basketball enthusiasts like myself. Having followed the league for over fifteen years, I've developed my own perspectives on what makes an MVP truly valuable - and it's not always about the flashiest stats or the most highlight-reels. The MVP conversation this year feels particularly intense, with several players making compelling cases throughout what has been one of the most unpredictable regular seasons in recent memory.
The journey to MVP consideration often involves moments that statistics alone cannot capture. I remember watching Nikola Jokić's incredible performance against the Warriors back in March - the way he controlled the game without forcing anything, finishing with 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists while making his teammates better in ways that don't appear on stat sheets. That's the kind of impact that separates good players from MVP candidates. Similarly, watching Joel Embiid dominate despite his injury concerns has been nothing short of remarkable. His 41-point performance against Boston in February, where he shot 14-of-25 from the field while clearly playing through pain, demonstrated the kind of resilience that voters often reward.
What many casual fans don't realize is how much team success factors into MVP voting. In my analysis of past winners, 89% of MVPs came from teams that finished in the top three of their conference. This creates an interesting dynamic where individual brilliance must translate to team success - a balance that's harder to achieve than it appears. Giannis Antetokounmpo's case this year perfectly illustrates this principle. The Bucks have maintained their position near the top of the Eastern Conference despite coaching changes and roster adjustments, largely because Giannis has elevated his playmaking while maintaining his scoring efficiency. His numbers - averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists through 67 games - only tell part of the story.
The historical context of MVP voting reveals patterns that influence current races. Looking back at last decade's winners, we see a clear preference for players who redefine their positions. Stephen Curry's unanimous MVP in 2016 wasn't just about his scoring; it was about how he transformed offensive strategies across the entire league. Similarly, this year's dark horse candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has revolutionized how we view guard efficiency, shooting 54.1% from the field while averaging 31.2 points per game - numbers we typically associate with dominant big men rather than perimeter players.
International players have completely changed the MVP landscape in recent years. As someone who remembers when international stars were exceptions rather than norms, I've been fascinated to watch six of the last eight MVP awards go to players born outside the United States. This globalization of talent has raised the level of competition while introducing diverse playing styles that enrich our game. Luka Dončić's case this season exemplifies this trend - his European background brings a different rhythm and court vision that contrasts beautifully with more traditional American playing styles.
Statistics obviously matter, but the advanced metrics have changed how we evaluate candidates. Player Efficiency Rating (PER), Value Over Replacement Player (VORP), and Box Plus/Minus have become essential tools in my MVP analysis. For instance, Jokić leads in most advanced categories this season with a PER of 32.1 and 12.3 VORP - numbers that historically correlate strongly with MVP success. Yet these metrics sometimes conflict with narrative-driven arguments, creating fascinating debates among analysts and fans alike.
The timing of exceptional performances significantly impacts voter perception. What I've noticed throughout my years covering the NBA is that March and April performances carry disproportionate weight in MVP conversations. A player who finishes strong, like Devin Booker's 62-point game in January or Anthony Edwards' 44-point outburst against Detroit in March, can reshape the entire narrative. This "recency bias," while sometimes frustrating, reflects how momentum can influence voting decisions.
Team context creates another layer of complexity in MVP evaluation. I've always believed that carrying a mediocre roster to unexpected success deserves special recognition. This year, Jalen Brunson's work with the Knicks stands out - taking a team that many projected as a play-in candidate to top-four in the East while averaging 28.7 points and 6.7 assists. His leadership qualities, particularly during crucial fourth-quarter moments, demonstrate the intangible elements that statistics struggle to capture but that voters inevitably consider.
The evolution of voter preferences continues to shape MVP outcomes. Having spoken with several voters over the years, I've noticed a gradual shift toward valuing efficiency and two-way impact over pure scoring totals. This explains why players like Kawhi Leonard remain in conversations despite lower counting stats - his combination of elite scoring efficiency and lockdown defense creates value that transcends traditional measurements. His 52% field goal percentage while typically guarding the opponent's best player represents the kind of two-way excellence that modern voters increasingly appreciate.
As we approach the end of the regular season, the MVP race appears tighter than any in recent memory. In my view, Jokić deserves the nod for his historic efficiency and transformative impact on Denver's offense, but I wouldn't be surprised if Gilgeous-Alexander's narrative carries the day. What's certain is that this year's debate has been particularly enriching, featuring multiple deserving candidates who've each redefined excellence in their own way. The ultimate winner will join a prestigious list that represents not just individual achievement, but the evolving story of basketball itself.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
