Nikola Jokic from the Denver Nuggets has been announced as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the third time in the past four seasons. He averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game, making him the only player to rank in the top 10 in all three categories. Jokic received 79 out of 99 first-place votes from the panel of reporters and broadcasters who voted. In his acceptance speech, he credited his teammates, coaches, and the organization for his success.
The top three in the MVP voting this season included Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Oklahoma City in second place, and Luka Doncic from Dallas in third place. This marks the third consecutive season that three players born outside the U.S. finished in the top three of the MVP voting. Moreover, Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee, who is from Greece, came in fourth, resulting in the first time in the award’s history that international players went 1-2-3-4 in the voting.
Among the top contenders, Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander appeared on all ballots, with Doncic missing from just one ballot. Jokic emphasized the importance of being the most valuable player to his team rather than just being the best player on the best team. With this win, Jokic joins the ranks of players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and LeBron James, who have won the MVP award at least three times in their careers.
Nikola Jokic’s journey to becoming a three-time MVP has been remarkable, considering he was the 41st overall pick in the 2014 draft and had doubts about playing in the NBA at the start of his career. His rise to superstardom has been well-documented, and now, at 29, he has a Hall of Fame resume. Jokic’s consecutive appearances in the top two of the MVP voting for four years also place him in the company of legends like Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, and Tim Duncan.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a standout season, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference by averaging 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Luka Doncic made a compelling case for the MVP by posting historic numbers, becoming the first player in NBA history to average 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists per game. However, in the end, it was Jokic who stood out above all others in the MVP race.
Jokic’s teammates, coaches, and peers have all praised his leadership, skills, and ability to elevate the team’s performance. His consistent excellence on the court and his impact on the Nuggets’ success have solidified his status as one of the league’s premier players. With his third MVP win, Jokic has cemented his place among the all-time greats in NBA history.
