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5 dark horse candidates to win the 2022-23 MVP award

By Holden Walter-Warner

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks. Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks. Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images /
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing for one of the most anonymous teams in the league, the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s inhibiting his MVP bid, but he’s having a season for the ages for a franchise on the rise.

Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as the team’s first young star since the departures of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook (Paul George and Chris Paul were never part of the long-term trajectory). His loyalty to the franchise has been unwavering, too, since his acquisition from the LA Clippers.

This season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points per game, more than 10 points above his career average (which, mind you, is higher than it was a year ago because of his scoring propensity). He is also averaging 5.7 assists per game and knocking down more than 90 percent of his free throws.

In addition to being one of the best scorers and free throw shooters in the league, Gilgeous-Alexander is also one of the best ball thieves. His 1.7 steals per game rank in the NBA’s top ten, the first time he may finish that high.

The Thunder don’t get national television coverage and aren’t a factor in the playoff race, so Gilgeous-Alexander’s amazing season isn’t being noticed enough. If the Thunder were third in the Western Conference instead of thirteenth, it might be a different story.

But with a young core coming up, including Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander may soon be the head of a new big three worthy of constant accolades.