Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective

Episode: 1st MVP Straw Poll – Historic Race Coming?
Date: December 19, 2025
Host(s): Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, Tim McMahon
Production: ESPN, Omaha Productions

Overview

In this special episode, Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN insiders Tim Bontemps and Tim McMahon to unveil and analyze the first MVP Straw Poll of the 2025 NBA season. The poll, conducted by Bontemps, is renowned for its predictive accuracy over the past six years. The episode dives into the methodology, the surprises and trends from the early results, and profiles the top contenders—ultimately framing a historic two-man race with potentially record-breaking implications.

Methodology & Significance of the Straw Poll

(00:25–04:05)

• The poll emulates the final MVP voter pool by surveying media representatives from all 28 NBA markets, plus national and international voices.
• Not just writers but also producers, radio, and TV analysts included.
• Its accuracy: For the past six years, it has correctly forecasted the MVP and closely mirrored voting ratios.
• Bontemps clarifies, “It’s not because of my charm or loquaciousness… it’s because the poll reflects the diversity of voters across the entire league.” (01:58, Bontemps)
• “I’m just the only person annoying enough to get 100 people to respond to me.” (02:24, Bontemps)

Bottom of the Ballots: Notable Mentions

(04:05–09:32)

• Players receiving a single 5th place vote:

  • Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
  • Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers – actually in 10th with one 4th place, three 5th place votes)
  • Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
  • Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets)

• Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves):

  • 11th place, only 5 points.
  • Windhorst and McMahon note his overall underrated status despite big commercial presence:
    • “I think he should be more popular than he is…he doesn’t have as much support as other guys with lesser resumes.” (07:09, Windhorst)

• Jaylen Brown (Celtics):

  • Ninth place, having his best year yet and carrying a large offensive load in Tatum’s absence.

Rising Stars & New Entrants

(11:53–18:56)

• Victor Wembanyama (Spurs):

  • 8th place; already missed 12 games but strong DPOY candidate.
  • “If [the Spurs] are a top four team in the West, it will be because he’s had a great season. That would be an incredible accomplishment for him.” (14:00, Windhorst)

• Tyrese Maxey (Sixers):

  • 7th place, first appearance. Described as a driving force for the Sixers, “surprising start.”

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks):

  • 6th place, only player in every straw poll since 2017, but in danger of falling out due to injury/eligibility concerns.

The Top Five MVP Candidates

(19:30–29:55)

5. Jalen Brunson (Knicks)

• 5 third-place votes, 13 fourth-place, 42 fifth-place, 106 points.
• Mike Brown has “repeatedly called for more MVP attention for Brunson.” (20:39, Windhorst)
• Lengthy, humorous riff about the Knicks’ decision not to hang the NBA Cup banner due to team owner James Dolan’s feud with the league.

4. Cade Cunningham (Pistons)

• 1 second place vote, 17 third, 53 fourth, 20 fifth; 271 points.
• Recognition for leading Detroit (21–5) to second best league record.
• “I think this is a deserved tip of the cap to the way the Pistons have played this season…an awesome story.” (25:39, Bontemps)

3. Luka Doncic (Lakers)

• 1 first place, 1 second, 74 third, 13 fourth, 6 fifth; 432 points.
• “Luka is averaging 35, 9, and 9. He’s leading the league in scoring, and the Lakers are a lot better than I thought they were going to be.” (30:28, Windhorst)
• Windhorst notes: “The top two guys…got a preponderance of the votes. Luka is the top of the second tier.” (31:46, Windhorst/Bontemps)

The Historic Top Two: SGA vs. Jokic

(34:04–46:43)

2. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

• 42 first place; 57 second; 1 fourth; 822 points.
• “Let me put in perspective his season. Right now he is averaging a career-high 29.8 points per game, career-high (league-leading) 10.8 assists, leading with 12.4 rebounds… shooting 61.3% from the floor.” (35:19, McMahon)

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)

• 57 first; 41 second; 1 third; 1 fourth; 865 points.
• Leading a potentially historic Thunder team (on pace for 70+ wins).
• “Shai is averaging 32.4 points in 33 minutes… shooting 56% from the floor as a guard, 44% from three, 88% from the line—the efficiency is insane.” (36:07–37:19, Windhorst & McMahon)
• “His numbers are 56, 44, 88 and he’s averaging 32 and change with that kind of efficiency and a significant playmaker… major contributor to a defense that is best in the league by a country mile.” (37:19, McMahon)

Notable Quotes:

• “If the Thunder are going to break the record for wins in a season with him having these kind of numbers, I’m going with the guy who's on the record-breaking team.” (36:42, McMahon)
• “Averaging a 30-point triple double shooting 61% from the field is second place.” (36:07, Windhorst)
• “If the Thunder win over 70 games, I see really no way that SGA doesn’t win MVP… but if the Thunder drop off a little, Jokic can win.” (38:32–39:07, Bontemps)

Efficiency, Free Throws, and Historical Context

(41:17–46:43)

• LeBron led the league in PER at his peak with 31.7. SGA currently at 32.9; Jokic at an unheard of 35.9.
• “Jokic is now the all-time leading PER guy in NBA history.” (43:22, Windhorst)
• Addressing the “free throw merchant” criticism–Windhorst:
  • “I don’t understand why that’s necessarily an insult. If you’re good enough to get fouled and draw the line, it means you’re doing well.” (45:43, Windhorst)
• Shea’s mid-range numbers:
  • “10 to 16 ft, he’s shooting 58.9%. 16+ feet, 51.1%. Those are crazy.” (44:26, McMahon)

State of the MVP Race & What’s to Come

(46:43–47:59)

• For now, Luka is the only one with a plausible route to catch up if Lakers exceed expectations dramatically.
• “The bar for Luka or Cade or anyone else to make this a three-horse race is ridiculously high.” (39:07 & 39:57, McMahon)
• Bontemps: “Barring injury, I don’t think there’s anybody else who has any sort of realistic shot to get into the mix.” (40:00, Bontemps)
• Next straw poll likely at All-Star Break/Trade Deadline.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “I recently gave a referee the too small gesture while I was seated at the scores table.” (15:37, McMahon)
• On Knicks and banners: “It's not like the rafters are full up there… it ain't like the Knicks are hanging…” (22:37, McMahon)
• “If the Spurs are a top four team in the West… that would be an incredible accomplishment for [Wemby].” (14:00, Windhorst)

Key Timestamps

• 00:25–04:05: Methodology & poll credibility
• 04:05–09:32: Bottom ballot, honorable mentions, Anthony Edwards discussion
• 11:53–18:56: Wembanyama, Maxey, Giannis, and fringe candidates
• 19:30–29:55: Top 5 rundown; Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic
• 34:04–46:43: Historic top-2 MVP race (SGA vs. Jokic), Efficiency metrics, Free throw discussion
• 46:43–47:59: Race outlook, closing notes

Tone and Energy

The panel exchanges stats and analysis with their signature humor and candid banter. Competitive respect pervades their MVP debate, yet they don’t shy away from passionate asides (e.g., league banners, efficiency merchants, and NYC food takes). The tone is insightful, energetic, collegial, and sometimes irreverent.

Summary by Section for Quick Reference:

• MVP Straw Poll Methodology: Inclusive, accurate, respected.
• Notable Lower-Ballot Names: Recognition but not contention.
• Top 8–6: Rising stars and returning greats face eligibility/injury hurdles.
• Top 5: Spotlight on breakout and leading candidates by team accomplishment.
• Top 3: Luka on the outside looking in at a two-man, historically significant race.
• SGA vs Jokic: Historic stats, team wins, and efficiency could decide one of the greatest MVP duels ever seen.

Next MVP Straw Poll & Final Thoughts:
Tune in around the trade deadline for the next update, where this historic race may yet turn anew.