Nikola Jokic’s Case For A Third Straight NBA MVP At The Halfway Point Of The Denver Nuggets’ Season

By Jordan Long

The Denver Nuggets stand at 28-13, tied for the best record in the Western Conference.  The Nuggets have also defended the home court well, winning 12 straight at Ball Arena.  Center Nikola Jokic should be the favorite to win his 3^rd straight MVP.

            Going into this year, Jokic knew he wouldn’t have to be the main scorer on offense, unlike last year.  Last season, the offense went through him since Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. were out with injuries.  Jokic put up a career-high 27.1 points and 13.8 rebounds per game.  He also added 7.9 assists per game.  The Nuggets finished 48-34 earning a playoff spot as the 6^th seed in the Western Conference.  They were beaten by the Golden State Warriors in the first round in 5 games.

            This year, with a healthy Nuggets squad, Jokic could do what he does best, score and find his teammates.  This season, his points per game are down averaging 24.9 points per game, 16^th in the NBA, not all that impressive.  Luka Doncic leads the league with 34.2 points per game.  If the NBA MVP were awarded only on points, Doncic should be the MVP at this point.

Of course, the NBA looks at more than just points.  Jokic is 5^th in rebounds collecting 11 rebounds per game. Assists wise he is third with 9.7 assists per game.  Those are almost a triple-double per night.

            Jokic is 2^nd to only Domantas Sabonis in double-doubles.  Sabonis totaled 31 double-doubles while Jokic is at 29.  The reason why he should be the MVP is his triple-doubles.  It is very difficult to even have one or two triple-doubles in a season.  Jokic is a triple-double threat every single night.  He knows how to score points, rebound, and find his teammates for assists.  Jokic has 11 triple-doubles, which leads the league.

            The Nuggets may not be a top 3 seed without the play of Jokic.  The case is pretty clear that he should be the favorite to win the MVP of the regular season.  The NBA though hasn’t given a third straight MVP award since Larry Bird.  Bird was voted MVP from 1984 to 1986.  The way Jokic is playing is going to make it hard for him not to win the MVP.  There is still more basketball to be played for him to improve his numbers even more.  It would be great for him to win another MVP but that is not his goal.  He would like nothing more than to win an NBA Championship with the Nuggets this season.