It wasn’t an epiphany, but the Thunder's NBA playoff loss to the Mavericks last May tightened Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s logic.

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden recently revealed that NBA players are backing Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. The comments were shared by Rachel Nichols on a Sports Illustrated podcast ahead of the Clippers’ first-round matchup against the Denver Nuggets.

For the sixth time, the NBA league office has given me an official ballot for year-end awards. Here’s how I decided to use it. One quick note: I’m writing this before voters receive ballots; as such,