The MVP conversation in the NBA is based on two important ideas: the player must make a real difference on the court and improve their team’s performance. These unspoken rules make the MVP race a tough challenge, needing consistency, skill, and a strong impact.
As Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP in the past four seasons, pushes for a fourth award, his outstanding performances are changing how people view the race.
Nikola Jokic’s Push for MVP Success
Jokic, known as “The Joker,” is having his best season yet. As of November 25, his averages are an impressive 30.3 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game.
His shooting has been outstanding too, with a 56.8% field-goal percentage, 56.3% shooting from three-point range, and 83.5% at the free-throw line. These numbers show that Jokic is not just playing well but is going beyond his usual level.
While Jokic’s Denver Nuggets have a 9-6 record this season, other MVP candidates like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and Jayson Tatum have shown their value through their team’s success.
SGA’s Oklahoma City Thunder hold a 12-4 record, even though they have played without star center Chet Holmgren for six games. Tatum, on the other hand, has helped the Boston Celtics to a 14-3 record, the second-best in the league.
Jokic’s reliability, a key part of his career, should be acknowledged. He has missed more than 10 games in a season only once in his nine years in the NBA.
However, he recently missed a few games for personal reasons, a short break that critics might look too closely at. Still, his dominance on the court remains clear, and if the MVP vote were held now, Jokic would likely be in first place.
In just 10 games, Jokic has achieved six triple-doubles and nine double-doubles, including a streak of four triple-doubles in a row. He almost extended that streak, with a few games coming very close. This season, he has achieved a 30-point triple-double, a 20-rebound triple-double, and several performances with 16 assists.
Jokic is putting together an incredible season, one that could make him one of the greatest players of all time. If he keeps playing at this level, his Hall of Fame career will add another remarkable chapter.
