Never Better, Never More Underestimated: Why Nikola Jokic Isn't the Favorite in the MVP Race?
Denver's center Nikola Jokic is having a career season, yet he seems further than ever from winning the MVP title.
TL;DR
- Nikola Jokic is averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive season (27.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.9 assists).
- Jokic achieved his 34th triple-double of the season, totaling 198 in his career, despite missing a month due to injury.
- The Denver Nuggets have won 10 consecutive games, their first such streak since 2013.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the leading MVP candidate, with his team holding the top spot in the Western Conference.
- Other MVP contenders mentioned include Victor Wembanyama and Luka Dončić, though Dončić is ineligible due to games played.
- There are differing opinions on MVP candidates, with some analysts favoring Gilgeous-Alexander and others, like former Nuggets coach Michael Malone, supporting Jokic.
- ESPN's Stephen A. Smith notably excluded Jokic from his MVP candidate list.
- Arguments for Jokic include his historic triple-double averages and efficiency, while arguments against him sometimes cite defense or his team's lower seeding compared to Gilgeous-Alexander's team.
- The article suggests that Jokic's consistent excellence might be taken for granted.