As the NBA regular season approaches its final stretch, the NBA MVP award will soon belong to Nikola Jokić. After more than 50 regular season games, it’s his award to lose.
Jokić is one of the most underrated and under appreciated players in the game, and this year the Joker will finally get some recognition.
The three-time all-star is having a career season, and his Denver Nuggets have propelled to fourth in the Western Conference. The Nuggets are the hottest team in the NBA, as they have won eight games in a row, and nine of their last ten. During that stretch, the Nuggets have had some signature wins. They beat the Clippers, and the 76ers, during that span. The biggest reason for the Nuggets success has been Nikola Jokić.
In the last ten games, Jokić has nearly averaged a triple-double. He’s averaged close to 23 points per game to go with 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. Shooting 56% from the field, and a whopping 50% from three-point range.
Jokić hasn’t missed a game all season, night-in and night-out he’s brought it. In today’s NBA that’s not something that is not said often.
In his 53 games, Jokić has averaged more than 26 points per game, almost 11 rebounds per game, along with almost 9 assists per game. He’s shot 57% from the field, and almost 43% from three.
So, who could stand in the way of Jokić winning the MVP award?
Before their injuries, LeBron James and Joel Embiid were in the conversation. But, both have battled injuries in the second-half of the season, which will likely take them out of the race. Both have really had great seasons, but durability should absolutely be a factor in the MVP conversation.
Damian Lillard has put together a nice season, but Jokić still has the edge over Lillard in a number of different categories.
Giannis Antetokounmpo should get some votes, but it’s truly rare to win the MVP award, in three-consecutive years. Only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird have won the award three-straight years. Antetokounmpo is having another great season, but he’s actually having a slightly worse season then last year. On top of that, the Bucks as a team have regressed, compared to last season.
A case could also be made for James Harden, but I just find it hard to believe that Harden would get the most votes. Harden has been a real difference-maker for the Nets, but playing on a team with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant (when healthy) should make it difficult for Harden to land a legitimate case.
However, you want to slice it, Nikola Jokić deserves the MVP award.
The 26 year year old Jokić has went through most of his career as an under the radar talent, but there’s no denying how special his game is.
The Joker is here, and will be crowned the league’s best player in the 2020-2021 season.