Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets' star, snagged his third Most Valuable Player trophy this Wednesday, adding another chapter to his legendary NBA career. This win marks his third MVP title in just four seasons, following last year's MVP, Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers. Jokic outpaced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, who took second and third spots in the voting.
"It's all about the teammates; without them, I'd be nothing," Jokic humbly mentioned on TNT after clinching the MVP title. "Coaches, players, organization, medical staff, strength coaches, development coaches... it's all interconnected. But I wouldn't be where I am without them."
Jokic's win wasn't even close. He snagged a whopping 79 first-place votes, tallying up to 926 points. Gilgeous-Alexander trailed with 15 first-place votes and 640 points, while Doncic grabbed four first-place nods with 566 points. Notably, Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks landed fourth, and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks secured the fifth spot.
"There's a bunch of players who deserve this," Jokic remarked on the fierce competition for the MVP. "It probably boils down to the details and the little things."
This marks Jokic's third MVP win in four seasons, a feat unseen in six decades since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's dominance from 1973-74 to 1976-77. He now joins the elite ranks of players like Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson as the ninth three-time MVP in NBA history.
Denver Nuggets' coach Michael Malone praised Jokic's growth over the years, highlighting his consistency in greatness. "He's been consistently great over multiple seasons now," Malone remarked. "We've had the best record in the Western Conference for the past six years, second only to Milwaukee in the NBA during that time."
In his ninth season, Jokic played a staggering 79 games, his highest since the 2018-19 season. He joins Chamberlain as the only players to finish top five in total points (fifth), rebounds (third), and assists (second) in multiple seasons. Moreover, Jokic becomes the second player ever to achieve 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 600 assists in a single season, alongside Oscar Robertson.
Jokic's stats speak volumes—he averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists, all ranking in the top 10. With 25 triple-doubles under his belt, he shot 58.3% from the field and 35.9% from beyond the arc.
The Nuggets, powered by Jokic's brilliance, finished the season strong, ranking fifth in offensive efficiency, eighth in defensive efficiency, and fourth in net rating. They were among the four teams to crack the top 10 in all three categories.
Despite boasting the league's best starting five, Denver's reliance on Jokic was evident. The team's net efficiency soared to plus-11.8 when he played but plummeted to minus-8.6 when he sat out. Jokic led the league with a plus-682 plus-minus, showcasing his immense impact on the court.
While Jokic values team success over individual accolades, he's eyeing another championship for the Nuggets. With a potential repeat on the horizon, he aims to emulate the likes of James, Johnson, Bird, and Russell—a feat achieved by only four other basketball legends.
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