Nikola Jokic just got robbed of the NBA MVP award, in my opinion. Though Gilgeous-Alexander outscored him by 3 points a game, Jokic averaged more rebounds, more assists, and more steals, and was the first player in NBA history to finish in the top three in those three major stats. He shot a higher percentage from the floor than Gilgeous-Alexander, and a higher percentage from the three-point line. He was also only the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for the entire season. I know people were tired of Jokic winning the award every year, but this was the best season of his career, and he deserved it.
If you win 67+ games in a season, you're almost guaranteed to have the MVP on your team. If someone from another team is going to win it, they'll have won 63+ games themselves.
The MVP should be given to the best all-around player who was also instrumental to his team’s success. Jokic was all of that, and he topped Gilgeous-Alexander in every important category except scoring.
Defense is a part of basketball also. SGA has Jokic beat in that category. They both deserve the award. I don't feel strongly one way or the other on who deserved it more.
Yes agree completely. Jokic had such a dominant season this year, more than LeBron ever had. Its right up there with some of Jordan's best seasons. SGA was for sure a top5 player this season. But we see guys at his level every year. The primary reason the Thunder won 68 games was because SGA teammates were also amazing with a roster that legit played 11 quality players. Jokic had to turn a washed up elderly Westbrook into their key 6th man which somehow he did. Switch Jokic and SGA this last season - the Thunder win more and the Nuggets win MUCH MUCH less.
Then shouldn't the MVP just be given to the OKC Thunder team? There were many games SGA sat out and the Thunder still steamrolled teams. I don't see how you are that valuable if your team is dominant without you. Just looked it up - Thunder won 80% of their games without SGA. Nuggets won 33% without Jokic.
Joker wasn't "robbed". He had a MVP worthy season but so did SGA. I would have voted for Joker but it would have been close for me. I think leading your team to the best record in the league as the league leading scorer who is IMO a better defender than Joker, kinda makes it competitive between SGA and Joker. So yeah, I thought Jokic deserved it by a hair but in no way is that a robbery.
Online polls I'm seeing have Jokic leading with fans by about 8 to 1. Some with over 9000 responses...
Jokic definitely got robbed. He made extraordinary ordinary. Oh 35 / 15 / 10 just another game. Should've been 5 straight MVPs for the Joker