Best Podcasts on NBA MVP Race
Updated: Mar 25, 2026 – 11 episodes
The NBA MVP race is intensifying as several players deliver exceptional performances, impacting their teams' standings. Key players are emerging as frontrunners, making the competition more exciting for fans and analysts. This development is crucial as it influences team strategies and playoff prospects.
For a deep dive into the NBA MVP race, start with The Bill Simmons Podcast. Bill's take on the intense competition between Luka, Jokic, Wemby, and Shea is a must-listen, especially when he compares it to historic MVP races. If you're curious about how team standings affect MVP chances, Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective offers insightful analysis, particularly on Shea and Victor's prospects. The Dan Patrick Show brings a fresh perspective on voter fatigue and the potential for new faces like Victor Wembanyama to shake things up. For a bullish take on Luka's impact, The Zach Lowe Show highlights his synergy with teammates and defensive prowess, making it a compelling listen.
Listen to the Playlist
Ridealong has curated the best podcasts and clips about NBA MVP contenders emerge amid standout team performances. Listen now.
Podcast Episodes Covering This Story
“"If you have the most wins, I still think that SGA is going to be your MVP. But the fact that you had J.J. Redick, the Lakers head coach, Donchick was suspended for his 16th technical, so he didn't play... Luka, to me, is still the best player in the game. He's not going to win. And, you know, it can come down to subtle things like if Denver had the best record in the West, then Joker would win the MVP."”
Ridealong summary
The MVP race is heavily influenced by team performance and individual achievements, but the criteria for MVP selection remain subjective and contentious.
“"I think a lot of these people that actually vote for the MVP, they could have fatigue, SGA fatigue, Joker fatigue, and just want to spice things up and go with Wemby. Let me preface this. I am 100% in Victor's camp. What he has done, he is a breath of fresh air. Thank you for saving the All-Star game and making guys play hard."”
Ridealong summary
The MVP race is influenced by voter fatigue towards established stars like Jokic and SGA, potentially opening the door for fresh faces like Victor Wembanyama.
“"I agree with him with the defense. There's 50% of the game. And obviously, nobody can match what he does defensively... You just can't discredit what Jokic's numbers is, bro. You can't discredit what – did you see Jokic last night? Man, come on. Did I see it? 23, 21, and 19. Like, I – 19. 19. 19. He had 19 assists. 21 rebounds, 23 points."”
Ridealong summary
While Wimby is a defensive powerhouse and a future MVP contender, Jokic's current performance with staggering stats makes him the frontrunner this year.
“"I think if Shea stays above 65 games, I do think the race is pretty close to over with the one caveat that if the Spurs can get ahead of the Thunder, then I think there's a real chance that Victor can make it a real two-horse race because he'll have the narrative behind him."”
Ridealong summary
The MVP race is largely between Shea and Victor, with team standings playing a crucial role in determining the frontrunner.
“This is even better than the Westbrook Harden, LeBron MVP race from 2017, Kawhi, whatever. This is crazy stuff that these four guys are doing. Off the top of my head, I was going to say 87, which Magic won. MJ, I think, finished second. Bird was third. And I forget who was fourth, but maybe it was Hakeem. It's got to be a year like that.”
Ridealong summary
The current NBA MVP race is one of the most competitive in recent history, with Luka, Jokic, Wemby, and Shea delivering standout performances that elevate the league's excitement and quality.
“The overarching question to me, though, is how does LeBron James feel when J.J. Redick promotes Luka Doncic to be the MVP of the league? Does it make LeBron James want to stay another year with the Lakers one last year, or does it make him want to go somewhere else and feel unappreciated by the coach that he helped get the job? And LeBron is responsible for J.J. Reddick getting that job.”
Ridealong summary
The NBA MVP race is subjective and influenced by personal biases, with strong cases for multiple players like Jalen Brown, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic, each contributing uniquely to their teams.
“Luka looks like peak Dallas Luka again. Yeah. I think part of it is he seems to have found also a new comfort level with Aiton... And he just looks unbelievable defensively... these last three weeks now, maybe a month, he's been solid, rock solid, one-on-one getting steals, getting his hands in passing lanes. And it's like, you can do that.”
Ridealong summary
Luka Doncic's recent performances have elevated the Lakers to the third best team in the Western Conference, showcasing his defensive prowess and synergy with teammates like Aiton.
“I do think Wemby has a real case. Like, I think he's made it to second on my ballot over Jokic, who continues to have these games where it's like, what are these turnovers that you're having? It's crazy. And but again, this is all like these are four players that are having historically great seasons. Someone's going to have to finish third. Someone's going to have to finish fourth. The Spurs are lapping the field.”
Ridealong summary
Wembenyama is poised to be considered the best player in the league by next season, with his all-encompassing impact and ability to handle physical play.
“Luka, as you mentioned, just been unbelievable. Like, all those things are real. They're also real because the Nuggets have been kind of like, eh, like trying to get their feet under them. It's hard to know who's going to be healthy for them and when. They're still finding their way. The Rockets have fallen off a cliff. The Timberwolves are out in the wilderness.”
Ridealong summary
The NBA MVP race is wide open with standout performances from players like Luka, but team inconsistencies make predictions difficult.
“Yoke is going to get somewhere between 30 and 40. He's going to get somewhere between 12 and 17 rebounds, and he's going to get somewhere between 8 and 12 assists. We just can't let him get 40, 20, 20. That's what we got to stop. So we're not going to stop him from getting those, you know, 28, 29, 30 points. He's going to get that. He's going to get the rebounds. We've just got to control him getting those 15, 18, 20 assists because he's getting his points and he's getting other people involved.”
Ridealong summary
Nikola Jokic's consistent high-level performance makes him a key player, but his team needs a reliable third option to truly excel.
“"But tell me why he won't win the MVP. Because the guy who probably will win it, SGA, will probably end up having the best record once again in the NBA, second in scoring. And he is, as though he's not as impactful defensively as Wimby, SGA does play defense. He is a two-way player."”
Ridealong summary
Victor Wembanyama is redefining the game but won't win MVP because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's team will likely have the best record.