Recently, ESPN released their predictions survey of "how the 2025-26 campaign will unfold," and, unsurprisingly, the OKC Thunder were well represented.
Whether it was them ranking atop the list regarding who is being viewed as the favorite to be crowned Western Conference Champions (received 18 points, 16 higher than the second-place Nuggets) or to win the 2026 Finals (same point differential with the same two clubs), it's more than apparent that the participating league insiders see Oklahoma City as the clear powerhouse of the NBA.
However, despite the fact that the Thunder reigned supreme when it came to the survey's full-team accomplishments, as far as individual accolades are concerned, their inclusion was rather nonexistent, and easily the most significant sign of disrespect regarding this was the omission of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the final turnout for the question "Who is the best player right now?"
Thunder star not considered 'best player' in the NBA, according to ESPN
To the insiders involved in the activity, "there was little debate about who the single best NBA player is at the moment."
That individual was tabbed as Nikola Jokic, who earned 19 of an allotted total of 20 points.
Now, while this may not come as all that great of a surprise to some, especially considering the battle for MVP has been between him and Gilgeous-Alexander for the better part of the past two seasons, the biggest shock in this part of the survey is the fact that the Thunder star wasn't even the one who finished directly behind Denver's cornerstone.
Instead, second place went to Lakers guard, Luka Doncic.
The three-time All-Star "didn't receive any votes," according to writer Tim Bontemps, which, considering his resume and the fact that he's literally the league's reigning Most Valuable Player, is truly astonishing.
Even Giannis Antetokounmpo, who ranked first in this very discussion for two of the last five years, inadvertently suggested that this omission is quite ridiculous, as he was recently quoted as saying that the player who helps their team win their respective conference and, ultimately, take home the Larry O'Brien Trophy, should "automatically" be seen as "the best player in the world."
Not only did SGA just guide the Thunder to their first title of the Sooner State era, but he did so while becoming just the fourth player in league history to win the scoring title, regular season MVP, and NBA Finals MVP all in the same season.
According guys like Shaquille O'Neal and, now, Giannis, this is enough to warrant Gilgeous-Alexander the moniker of best player in the game.
Yet, to the insiders that participated in ESPN's survey, he's not even worthy of a single vote?
Without question, this is disrespect of the highest degree.