Final NBA MVP Power Rankings: Young superstar wins his first MVP

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last rank: 3

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had a fantastic season and has now led the second-youngest team in the NBA to a first seed in the Western Conference. With a 57-25 record, Gilgeous-Alexander has made his MVP case clear after Sunday's win over Dallas.

OKC will still have a lot to prove come playoff time, but as it currently stands, the Thunder are the hottest team in the league. Behind Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder finished the season on a six-game winning streak when many counted them out.

Despite finishing with the top record in the West, fans and the media have constantly disrespected this historic squad. Many fans have wanted their teams to draw OKC for either a first-round matchup or to avoid the defending champs.

Gilgeous-Alexander will need to showcase why he is a top-three MVP candidate in this season's playoffs, and fortunately for Thunder fans, they will face off against whoever wins the final Play-In game for the eighth spot in the West.

Being that the Thunder have the second-youngest squad in the NBA, many have already written off Gilgeous-Alexander and his team. Their lack of playoff experience and NBA experience, in general, has scared off some fans when hoping on their bandwagon.

The Thunder will have a week to prepare for their eventual playoff matchup. Whoever they end up drawing, they will need to prove to the media and fans that they belong in this position. Gilgeous-Alexander should be poised for a breakout playoff run.