Nikola Jokic Clinches Third NBA MVP Title in Four Seasons
Denver Nuggets' standout Nikola Jokic cements his status as one of basketball's premier talents, securing his third Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade in four seasons.
Jokic emerged victorious in a closely watched MVP race, edging out formidable contenders including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.
"It's got to start with the teammates; without them, I cannot do nothing." Reflecting on his achievement, Jokic credited his teammates, stating,"Coaches, players, organization, medical staff, strength coaches, development coaches. It is all one big circle. But I cannot be whatever I am without them."
The Serbian center's dominance was evident in the voting, claiming an impressive 79 first-place votes and accumulating a total of 926 points. Gilgeous-Alexander received 15 first-place votes and 640 points. Doncic claimed four first-place votes and 566 points.
Jokic's feat places him in esteemed company, marking him as the first center in six decades to clinch the MVP title three times in four seasons, a feat previously achieved only by the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Denver Nuggets' coach Michael Malone commended Jokic's consistency and leadership, underscoring his pivotal role in the team's success.
Throughout the season, Jokic showcased his versatility, ranking among the top five in points, rebounds, and assists, alongside basketball luminaries such as Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson.
Jokic's stellar performance was characterized by impressive averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game, accompanied by 25 triple-doubles. He is also the second player to record 2,000 points, 900 rebounds and 600 assists in a season, joining Oscar Robertson.
Guided by Jokic's on-court excellence, the Denver Nuggets achieved notable rankings in offensive and defensive efficiency. With Jokic in play, the team boasted an impressive net efficiency of plus-11.8. However, when Jokic was off the court, the Nuggets struggled, registering a concerning net efficiency of minus-8.6.
Should the Nuggets triumph, Jokic would join an exclusive cohort of NBA legends, including Russell, Bird, Johnson, and James, in achieving three regular-season MVPs and two NBA titles within a four-year span.
