As the 2024-25 NBA regular season nears its conclusion, the debate over who deserves the prestigious MVP award is reaching its peak. Los Angeles Lakers icon Shaquille O’Neal has made his pick for the honor.

Shaquille O'Neal attends the 2019 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019.
© Rich Fury/Getty ImagesShaquille O’Neal attends the 2019 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019.

With just over two weeks remaining in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, several teams are still jockeying for Playoff positioning, or at least a spot in the Play-In tournament.

However, the focus for many has shifted to the ongoing MVP discussion. Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal has voiced his support for a clear frontrunner.

“Nobody plays like him. Love this guy,” Shaq said of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, explaining why the Oklahoma City Thunder guard should be awarded the league’s most valuable player title this season.

His comments were shared by reporter Clemente Almanza on his X account.

O’Neal went further, asserting that Gilgeous-Alexander should have claimed the MVP honor the previous season. “I thought he should’ve won it last year.

I said he should’ve won it last year,” he remarked, expressing his disagreement with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic’s MVP win.

On why he believes Gilgeous-Alexander has done enough to deserve the MVP award, the Lakers legend explained: “As a fan growing up, I always thought the MVP was the baddest (expletive), shut-your-mouth in the league.

He’s the baddest (expletive), shut-your-mouth in the league.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball up the court against the Washington Wizards.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball up the court against the Washington Wizards.

O’Neal stands by his MVP opinion

O’Neal has been consistent in his support for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In a May 2024 conversation with Nikola Jokic, Shaq was candid about his views. “I want you to hear it from me first: I thought that SGA should have been the MVP; that’s no disrespect to you,” he said.

However, the four-time NBA champion also praised Jokic, acknowledging the Serbian center’s exceptional talent. “You know I love you,” O’Neal told Nikola during the same chat. “You’re the best player in the league. I want to congratulate you.”

Another Lakers legend praises Shai

In addition to Shaquille O’Neal, another former Lakers player and three-time NBA champion, Byron Scott, has voiced his support for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“For me, SGA — from the start of this year up until this particular point — has been the most consistent player in the NBA. He has had this team on his back,” he said during an appearance on his Fast Break podcast. “He is the key to make this engine run when you look at OKC.”

On the subject of MVP competition, Scott also weighed in on Nikola Jokic’s chances. “Joker’s going to always be there — you know, Joker could have a better year this year than the year he won the MVP and maybe not get it,” he said.

“The dude is unbelievable… he is the best player on the planet. And I’m not going to say ‘by far,’ but that’s not a question — he is the best player on the planet.”

Despite the praise for Jokic, Scott believes that Gilgeous-Alexander holds the advantage in the MVP race. “SGA what he’s brought to the table this year with OKC, and the fact that OKC has the best record in the NBA, that for me gives him a little bit of a nudge,” Scott concluded.