Podcast Summary: The Best Player Of The Year – 2025 Baller d'Or Award Show

Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, ESPN/Omaha Productions
Released: January 2, 2026
Hosts: Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, Devon McMahon

Overview

In this annual "Baller d'Or" episode, Brian Windhorst is joined by NBA insiders Tim Bontemps and Devon McMahon to debate and select the best NBA player of the 2025 calendar year, inspired by the Ballon d’Or in international soccer. The episode is rich with year-in-review analysis, lively banter, and sharp debates about player achievements, team trajectories, NBA history, and the broader NBA landscape. The team ultimately awards their gold, silver, and bronze "Baller d'Or" medals after robust conversations, shoutouts, and a dose of sneakerhead culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Explaining the Baller d'Or Award

• The Baller d'Or, patterned after soccer’s Ballon d’Or, recognizes the single best player in world basketball by calendar year, rather than a traditional NBA season (00:54).
• Previous winners: Nikola Jokic (last two years).

2. Main Award Nominees and Debate

• Shea Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) as Front-runner

  • Multiple achievements: Finals MVP, scoring title, NBA MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP; led team to a 24–1 start (02:31).
  • “Head and shoulders above the competition from start to finish.” — Brian Windhorst (02:31)

• Nikola Jokic’s Continued Excellence

  • Noted as a perennial candidate: “Joker easily could have been MVP last year…MVP runner-up…statistically averaging just under 30 a game, leading the league in rebounds and assists.” — Devon McMahon (07:04)
  • Missed out on EuroBasket gold, which could have reopened the Baller d’Or race (07:22).

• Donovan Mitchell (Controversial Nominee)

  • Bontemps nominates Mitchell, noting first-team All-NBA honors and strong regular season, though Windhorst and McMahon push back strongly.
  • “I don’t even think he’s in the top four Eastern Conference people.” — Brian Windhorst (08:31)
  • Playful ribbing about mascot loyalty and “homer” nominations ensues (09:00–13:10).

• Alperen Şengün (EuroBasket Shoutout)

  • Bontemps lauds Şengün for Turkish League/EuroBasket dominance and a breakout NBA year (16:18).

• Jalen Brunson (NBA Cup and Finals heroics)

  • McMahon highlights Brunson’s recent Cup MVP, deep playoff run, and shaking up Knicks history (21:50).
  • “I always do enjoy watching Jalen Brunson’s success because… ended up being a phenomenal bargain for the New York franchise.” — Devon McMahon (23:06)

• Tyrese Haliburton (Iconic Playoff Run)

  • Windhorst extols Haliburton's legendary playoff comebacks, including demolition of the Cavs/Bucks, Game 7 Finals appearance, and overall clutch performance (29:15–30:02).
  • “Tyrese had an iconic run through the playoffs… might be the best clutch season we’ve ever seen.” — Devon McMahon (42:14)

3. Extended Playful Banter

Mascots and Signature Shoe Logos (05:00–13:00, 45:41–46:20)

• Riffing on iconic NBA logos—Jordan’s Jumpman, Kobe’s Mamba, Lebron’s crown, and others.
• Mascot debate about best — Moondog, Rocky, Franklin the Dog—with plenty of jokes.

Dallas Mavericks and NBA History Tangents (24:08–28:59)

• Details on Jalen Brunson’s jersey numbers, Dallas’ “Moody Madness,” Sam Perkins trade rumors, old Mavericks trivia.

4. The Trade Market & Team Directions

• Trade Climate 2026:

  • General consensus that trades are tougher due to cap/tax complexities (35:13).
  • Unlikely to see blockbuster moves unless major stars (Giannis, Anthony Davis, etc.) specifically request out (37:11–39:12).
  • “I think with how compacted the league is…it’s going to be very difficult for a lot of stuff to happen.” — Brian Windhorst (35:13)

• Reflections on Shock Trades:

  • Last year’s Luka Doncic/Anthony Davis blockbuster, fallout for Mavs/Lakers, and ongoing personnel drama (33:06–34:16).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• SGA’s Dominance:

  • “The guy who from start to finish has really stood over the year…headed for a Hall of Fame career.” — Brian Windhorst (02:31)

• Jokic’s Place in History:

  • “Joker easily could have been in the MVP last year…[he] was the main reason, obviously, that the Nuggets pushed the Thunder to seven games.” — Devon McMahon (07:04)

• Mascot Mania:

  • “The gentleman who has played Moondog has played Moondog for 23 straight years…he’s the best dog in the league.” — Tim Bontemps (09:59)

• Jalen Brunson’s Ascendance:

  • “He’s in national commercials now…he could be in the top five Knicks of all time, maybe already.” — Brian Windhorst (45:10)

• Halliburton’s Playoff Magic:

  • “Might be the best clutch season we’ve ever seen.” — Devon McMahon (42:14)
  • “That shot he hit at the Garden…I’ll never forget—went six miles straight up in the air.” — Brian Windhorst (43:00)

Baller d'Or Winners – The Final Podium (40:41)

Gold: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

• Consensus pick for consistent excellence across awards and playoffs.

Silver: Nikola Jokic

• Singular statistical brilliance, MVP-caliber season, kept Nuggets elite.

Bronze: Jalen Brunson

• Led Knicks to the Conference Finals, NBA Cup MVP, turned New York into a contender.

Honorable Mention:

• Tyrese Haliburton — for a historic postseason run, memorable performances in elimination games.
• Alperen Şengün — for EuroBasket heroics and Rockets transformation.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Award Premise: 00:34–02:18
• SGA’s Case: 02:31–03:26
• Jokic Debate: 04:13–08:03
• Donovan Mitchell & Mascots Tangent: 08:23–13:10
• Alperen Şengün Nomination: 16:18–19:13
• EuroLeague/EuroBasket Rivalries: 19:26–20:42
• Jalen Brunson Nomination & Mavs Trivia: 21:50–28:59
• Tyrese Haliburton’s Playoff Run: 29:15–30:42; 41:42–43:25
• Trade Market Discussion: 34:52–39:12
• Final Voting and Reasoning: 40:41–42:13
• Podium Reflection & Playoff Runs: 42:13–45:22
• Sneaker Logos Callback: 45:41–46:20
• Sign-off and Well Wishes: 47:02–47:27

Tone & Dynamics

• Energetic, witty, and deeply informed. The trio oscillates between sharp basketball analysis and playful jabs, especially over player nominations, team histories, and NBA culture.
• Frequent friendly ribbing—notably when Tim Bontemps brings up unexpected nominees or when mascots and sneakers enter the mix.

Bottom Line

If you missed this episode…

You missed a classic mix of serious basketball debate and Hoop Collective’s signature banter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as the undisputed NBA Baller d’Or, with Nikola Jokic and Jalen Brunson earning silver and bronze. Along the way, the crew paid homage to breakout stars, dissected playoff drama, revisited historic NBA and EuroLeague moments, and somehow fit in arguments about mascots, sneakers, and giant bobblehead hats.

“Congratulations to Shay, Jokic, and Brunson. Although I do think Haliburton with a very honorable. Not just honorable.”
— Tim Bontemps (47:02)