Nikola Jokic Is the Deserving MVP

Denver Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokic, who is on the cusp of a historic achievement. No one in NBA history has ever won three straight Most Valuable Player Awards, but this year Nikola Jokic is poised to do so by blowing away the competition.

Jokic’s performance this season has been all time good. He has not only led his team in scoring, rebounding, and assists with averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists but has also maintained remarkable shooting efficiencies—58.8% from the field and 35.9% from three-point range. His 65% true shooting percentage, one of the top ten in the NBA, shows his importance in driving the Nuggets to contend strongly in the Western Conference.

A third MVP would place Jokic alongside basketball immortals like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Michael Jordan, Lebron James, making him the ninth player in league history to win three MVP awards. Such a milestone would his individual greatness, positioning him as possibly a top 15 player in NBA history.

Jokic’s MVP credentials are strengthened by his advanced metrics. With a player efficiency rating of 31—leading the league—and a value over replacement player (VORP) of 10.59, he ranks among the best in NBA history. He also leads in several critical statistical categories, including win shares (17.05), offensive win shares (12.0), and both offensive and defensive box plus/minus (9.0 and 4.2, respectively).

While other MVP contenders such as Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have had fantastic seasons, Jokic’s influence has been generational. His incredible play is not limited to offense; his defensive effectiveness—evidenced by his ranking as number two in defensive win shares—clearly makes him the frontrunner for MVP.

The Nuggets are the most complete team in the NBA, and are clear favorites to win the NBA title. The reason that they are favored is strictly because of Nikola Jokic. The title runs through Denver, because Denver has the best player in the world, and his name is Nikola Jokic.

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