Mussatto's Minutes: OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's NBA MVP outlook looks good
The NBA is still reeling from the aftershocks of Joel Embiid’s meniscus injury in his left knee.
Embiid’s injury, which the Sixers superstar suffered last Tuesday, not only changes the landscape in the East leading up to Thursday's trade deadline, but it also shifts the MVP race, leading to much scrutiny about the 65 games played rule.
Embiid, averaging a league-best 35.3 points per game, is going to fall well short of the 65 games players are required to play to qualify for postseason awards.
While that’s an afterthought in Philadelphia — they just want their big man back sometime this season — Embiid’s devastating injury strengthens Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s already robust MVP campaign.
With Embiid out, Gilgeous-Alexander now has the second-best MVP odds, only behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic.
Here are the odds as of Sunday afternoon, courtesy of FanDuel.
More: How OKC Thunder rookie Cason Wallace was built by Hamilton Park, Texas. 'That’s who I am'
1. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets (-150)
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (+230)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (+650)
4. Luka Doncic, Mavericks (+1100)
5. Jalen Brunson, Knicks (+5500)
6. Jayson Tatum, Celtics (+7500)
7. Kevin Durant, Suns (+18000)
8. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers (+18000)
9. Devin Booker, Suns (+25000)
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, the Lakers’ LeBron James and Sacramento’s DeAaron Fox are all +50000.
If the Thunder finishes with the best record in the West, I think SGA will be crowned MVP. His ascent to this point has been nothing short of stunning.
More: What was OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander like at Kentucky? Two Hornets explain
Big 12 basketball games of the week
Men’s: Baylor at Kansas, 5 p.m. Saturday, ESPN: Baylor has an awfully tough week. The Bears (16-5, 5-3 Big 12) host Texas Tech on Tuesday before their clash with Kansas (18-4, 6-3 Big 12) on Saturday. Whichever team wins in Lawrence could find themselves atop the conference standings entering next week.
Women’s: Oklahoma at Iowa State, 6 p.m. Saturday, ESPN+: Assuming OU (15-6, 9-1 Big 12) beats lowly TCU at home on Tuesday, the Sooners will travel to Ames riding a seven-game winning streak. The Cyclones (13-8, 7-4 Big 12), which don’t have a midweek game, are 5-0 in Big 12 home games.
More: OU women's basketball upsets Kansas State for first win vs. top-2 ranked team since 2004
Men’s basketball awards at Big 12 midpoint
We’re halfway through the Big 12 slate, and 12 of the league’s 14 teams are within two games of each other. Every team outside of West Virginia and Oklahoma State has between four and six conference wins.
The league is just as brutal as expected.
So that’s how things look from a team perspective, but what about the players?
Time to hand out my individual awards for the Big 12’s first half.
Player of the Year: C Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
In conference play, Dickinson is second in scoring at 19.1 points per game, first in rebounding at 9.0 and fifth in blocks at 1.3. His teammate, Kevin McCullar Jr., would be second on my Player of the Year list.
Defensive Player of the Year: G Jamal Shead, Houston
From American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year to Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Shead is averaging a career-high 2.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. He’s captaining the best defensive team in college basketball.
Newcomer of the Year: G Max Abmas, Texas
Rather than doubling up on Dickinson, who transferred from Michigan, I want to show some love to Abmas, the transfer from Oral Roberts. We no longer have to wonder how Abmas’ game would transfer to better competition. He’s showing us, scoring 18.9 points per game in conference play. His 31 3-pointers lead the league, and he’s making them at a 42% rate.
Freshman of the Year: G Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor
Walter leads the Bears in scoring at 14.5 points per game. He’s shooting a not-so-great 40% from the field, but he’s averaging 4.6 free throw attempts per game and is an 85% foul shooter. Walter is a projected lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Sixth Man of the Year: G Langston Love, Baylor
Love is averaging 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 25 minutes per game off Baylor’s bench. He’s shooting 49% from 3-point range on 3.4 attempts per game.
Most Improved Player: G Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas
It might be strange to give the award to a fifth-year player, but McCullar has made the leap from good to great this season. The former Red Raider, in his second season with the Jayhawks, is averaging 19.7 points per game, up from 10.7 last season. He’s also been more efficient, shooting 48% overall and 36% from deep. McCullar’s 4.6 assists per game are also a career high.
Coach of the Year: Johnny Dawkins, UCF
The Knights, in their inaugural Big 12 season, were picked to finish last in the conference. But instead of being overmatched, Dawkins’ squad has been feisty. The Knights are 4-5 in the Big 12, just as close to first place as they are to last. UCF upset Kansas at home, won at Texas and just upset the Sooners in Orlando. Huge credit to Dawkins for the job he’s done.
More: Oklahoma basketball falls at UCF as Knights coach Jonny Dawkins gets 300th win
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's NBA MVP outlook looks good
