標籤: endorsement

As the NBA season approaches, there is intense discussion about who will take home the 2025-2026 MVP trophy. Lakers star Luka Doncic has emerged as a leading contender as the Lakers begin a nine-game winning streak. Jaylen Brown has also received praise for how he has led the Celtics’ success prior to Jayson Tatum’s return from an Achilles injury.

Carmelo Anthony says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ‘clear cut’ MVP 👀

“The players know who the real MVP is… To me, it’s obvious. I think it’s Shai… When you see the MVP, you know.”

Idea? 🤔

(via @7PMinBrooklyn) pic.twitter.com/2MdEI7OCYK

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 23 March 2026

But Hall of Famer and NBC Sports analyst Carmelo Anthony believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the “clear-cut” favorite for MVP this season.

“The players know who the real MVP is… To me, it’s obvious. I think it’s Shai… This is the best team in the NBA, best player on the team. It’s hard to argue. The guy is averaging 30 and 9. You know what I mean? When you see an MVP, you know.”

gilgeous-alexander the engine is For the Thunder as they have faced some injury challenges this year. He averaged 31.6 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game and 6.6 assists per game on 55.3% shooting. He is also displaying exceptional defense, averaging 1.4 steals per game. Oklahoma City is still on top of the Western Conference and NBA landscape at 56–15. Alexander too

But winning the MVP trophy is all about moments, and for top MVP contenders Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they can create a moment by playing against each other in April. The Thunder and Lakers will play on April 2 and April 7, which could make for an interesting look at who will ultimately take home one of the NBA’s greatest accolades.

The New York Knicks found themselves in an unexpected spotlight as Andre Iguodala called out Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges over their lack of NBPA participation. This moment raised deep questions about a player’s responsibility beyond the court.

Speaking on The Roommates Podcast, Iguodala didn’t hold back. Instead, he highlighted the difference between leadership and participation, engaging Nix directly in that conversation. As a result, the message was clear. Work outside the court also matters.

“I want to talk about C.J. McCollum,” Iguodala said. “They’re getting a lot of criticism for the second apron and I always ask people, what do you wish CJ did differently? Because we know what a lockout is like, and we don’t want people’s money to be wasted. We reach out to people all the time, and what do people say? I’m busy, I don’t want any extra work.”

This disappointment arose when Iguodala turned to younger voices. “When I talk to other people, like we need you in these meetings. ‘I want to play Call of Duty, I want to go out.’ Mikal…that’s my young boy. I say, ‘Mickle Dawg, if you’re one of the smart players in the league, so is he (Josh Hart), we need y’all.’

Knicks highlight a lack of leadership the league can’t ignore

The tone was not personal. Instead, it felt urgent. Andre Iguodala, now the executive director of the NBPA, called it a structural issue. Players profit from deals and criticism results. However, the fewer steps in the process. As a result, tensions arise and risks arise, with the Knicks now becoming part of that broader conversation.

Meanwhile, the respect for Hart and Mickle Bridge remains. Intelligent. Winning player. Proved under pressure. Yet, leadership at the grassroots demands more. meetings. For a long time. No headlines.

The crowd sees the final product. Contract. Rule. Wealth. What they don’t see is the work behind it.

So now the question remains. If the next generation doesn’t step up, who will carry the burden when it matters most for this Knicks group?