The 2024-25 NBA season that Nikola Jokic is having is an individual campaign for the history books. Despite that, the MVP voters are failing to recognize that excellence in the way it deserves to be.
The three-time NBA MVP has as strong of a claim as ever to once again adding that achievement to his growing trophy cabinet. However, voter fatigue continues to plague him like many of the all-time greats that came before him.
Jokic is averaging a ridiculous 29.1 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, with shooting splits of 58-41-81. It's the first time in NBA history that someone has an opportunity to finish top in the per game averages of points, rebounds, and assists. The Denver Nuggets superstar is also tied for second in the steals category.
On top of that, Jokic has the Nuggets in a position that is well above the strength of this roster. Denver will enter the 2025 NBA Playoffs as a genuine contender. A label that would far exceed their capabilities without the Serbian big man.
All of this has not been enough. Jokic was once again leapfrogged in the latest KIA NBA MVP ladder.
After elevating himself to the top spot, the Joker is back in the position of playing second fiddle to that of the Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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The MVP ladder takes a pulse of where the voters are leaning when it comes to the trophy at a given time in the NBA season. It is growing exceedingly difficult to understand what, apart from the aforementioned voter fatigue, is truly elevating Gilgeous-Alexander to that spot.
This is no knock on the Thunder superstar, who is having a phenomenal season in his own right. However, apart from the classic case of 'best player on the best team,' there feels little reason to hand him this trophy over Jokic. The discussion on how the MVP is evaluated will certainly be under a microscope this season.
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This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 6:54 AM.