April 11, 2024 – As the NBA season winds down, the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić finds himself at the center of an intense MVP debate that transcends mere statistics. In pursuit of his third MVP award in four years, Jokić’s dominance on the court is undisputed, yet his historic bid is not without its detractors.
The conversation around Jokić’s candidacy took a notable turn recently when an anonymous NBA executive expressed doubts about the historical appropriateness of Jokić winning a third MVP in such a short span. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on the Hoop Collective podcast, the executive opined that awarding Jokić another MVP “is not going to age well,” challenging the precedent such a decision would set. MacMahon countered, highlighting Jokić’s unparalleled contributions to the game at just 28 years old, including a Finals MVP to his name, and confidently placed him among the all-time greats.
Jokić’s season has been nothing short of spectacular, with averages of 26.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.0 assists over 73 games. His shooting efficiency, marked by a 57.9% field goal percentage, alongside his 34.1% from beyond the arc, underscores his versatile impact.
The Serbian center’s journey to a potential third MVP hasn’t been without competition. Early in the season, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers was a frontrunner for the award before a meniscus injury sidelined him. Other notable contenders include Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, with the Nuggets tied for first in the Western Conference, Jokić remains the heavy favorite.
Critics of the executive’s viewpoint argue that greatness should be recognized irrespective of timelines, suggesting that Jokić’s performance merits the MVP honor on its own merits. Supporters point to his statistical dominance, leadership, and the transformative effect he has had on the Nuggets as irrefutable evidence of his worthiness.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Nikola Jokić’s impact on the NBA is indelible. Whether he secures his third MVP award or not, his legacy as one of the game’s greatest is already taking shape. With the regular season nearing its conclusion, all eyes will be on the final vote count, and on whether the league decides to honor a player who has consistently redefined the boundaries of basketball excellence.