Jay Williams: Cancel Culture Behind NBA’s American MVP Drought?

The NBA’s MVP award has gone international for the seventh straight year, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder claiming the 2025 title. This streak, unbroken since James Harden’s 2017-2018 win, has sparked a provocative question from ESPN analyst and former Duke star Jay Williams: Is cancel culture sidelining American players?

Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Williams didn’t mince words. "People won’t like this, but is cancel culture part of why we haven’t seen an American MVP?" he asked, pointing to a broader societal shift. He argued that heightened sensitivity among players and coaches’ fears of being misinterpreted are stifling tough, accountable coaching. "Coaches feel like they can’t push kids anymore without risking backlash," he said, urging a return to rigorous mentoring.

Williams highlighted the need for young athletes to face adversity, suggesting that over-sensitivity—players taking offense at constructive criticism—might be weakening their competitive edge. "A coach yelling at you means they care," he emphasized, lamenting the constraints on honest coaching.

The MVP race itself tells a story: the top three finalists were all international. Canada’s Gilgeous-Alexander took the crown, followed by Serbia’s Nikola Jokic and Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. The highest-ranking American, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, landed fourth.

Williams’ comments stir a deeper debate: Are cultural dynamics reshaping the NBA’s competitive landscape, or are international players simply outworking their American counterparts? The answer likely lies in a mix of both, but the question demands attention.