Nikola Jokic may not possess any jaw-dropping athleticism, but is one of the most talented players in the game today. There aren’t many players in the league that can do what he does, let alone the centers.
A conversation about the MVP award is a conversation about dependency, about who carries the largest burden. And for the Nuggets, who sit at third in the Western Conference, Jokic is their star player.
The Nuggets center has averaged 26.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 8.5 assists this season. Despite the season-ending injury to Jamal Murray, Jokic has continued to carry the Nuggets on his back.
When the Nuggets drafted Jokic in the second round in 2014, little did they know that they were drafting a future MVP. Being the 41st pick, it was easy for everyone to sleep on Nikola Jokic, at least he was.
During Nikola Jokic’s interview with Rachel Nichols, he has stated that back then, he never imagined that he’d be in the NBA.
.@Rachel__Nichols: “Did you think you were drafted too low?”
Jokic: “To be honest, I was sleeping.”
Never change, Nikola 😂 pic.twitter.com/ZeA3pCNHbE
— ESPN (@espn) May 1, 2021
“To be honest, I was sleeping. My brother called me, and he was partying, opening champagne… he was in New York at the time. I was like “Come on bro, I’m sleeping.” In that moment I didn’t even think it’s a big thing. Cause I never imagined coming here.”
Nikola Jokic is the undisputed MVP
Nikola Jokic is frontrunner in the MVP race as he has not missed a single game this season.
Postponed games. Jammed schedules. It has been a tough season for everyone in the league. While Damian Lillard and Joel Embiid did provide competition, Portland have had their struggles lately and find themselves in the play-in spots while Embiid has missed a few weeks due to injury. Meanwhile, the Serb has played every game this season.
With various injuries to their roster throughout the season, Jokic has continued to keep the Nuggets on the level of other contenders in the Western Conference. They may not have enough firepower to go all the way but Jokic deserves all the praises.
In a season in which no one has been themselves, the Nuggets have remained the Nuggets, which is why Nikola Jokic is the MVP.
