With two games left to go in the regular season, NBA.com has released their final NBA MVP ladder.
Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets remains in first place, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks.
Jokić led the Nuggets to their first NBA championship last season and claimed the title of the best player in the world. However, there has been significant pushback on the idea of him winning another MVP.
The NBA MVP winner is typically revealed in early May, although there is no strict deadline for the announcement.
Jokić in 2023-24
Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander have been the frontrunners for much of the season, but it appears that Denver’s big man holds the advantage heading into the playoffs.
The Nuggets have been on a tear recently, having won the most games since the All-Star break, with a record of 20-5. Thanks to Wednesday night’s 116-107 victory over the Timberwolves, Denver is now in sole possession of the first seed in the Western Conference.
They control their own destiny, with two matchups on the road against the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies.
Jokić has undoubtedly been the catalyst for Denver’s dominance, averaging 26.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists on the year. If the 29 year-old were to win MVP again this year, it would be mark his third time receiving the prestigious award in four years.
Such an achievement would place him in elite company. Only Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar have managed to win three Most Valuable Player awards in four years.
Pushback on Third Jokić NBA MVP
Some, however, have grown tired of Jokić’s dominance, and have voiced their frustrations should the Serbian superstar claim the coveted award again this year.
Gilbert Arenas played 11 seasons in the NBA, including three All-Star selections during his time with the Washington Wizards. Now a media personality and the host of the “No Chill with Gilbert Arenas” podcast, Arenas went as far to call Jokić “the worst MVP winner of the last 40 years”.
“He is the worst MVP winner in the last 40 years.”
– Gilbert Arenas on Nikola Jokic
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 4, 2024
Globally renowned comedian Kevin Hart also gave his take on the NBA MVP race, during a segment of his “NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart” alternate broadcast of the Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat game.
Kevin Hart: “They cannot give [Nikola Jokic] any more MVPs… It’s not good for the NBA.”
Cedric the Entertainer: “[Joker] is having a great year, but it doesn’t feel like that dominant year the way I would say [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] is.”pic.twitter.com/Jmc5aXblqN
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 11, 2024
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon also appeared on the “Brian Windhorst & the Hoop Collective” podcast to report on the comments of an anonymous NBA executive.
“I had somebody with another team who was saying you can’t, in historical context, you cannot give this guy three MVPs in four years. Basically his take was like, ‘That’s not going to age well.’ And I’m like, ‘First of all, why can’t you?’ and second of all, I’m very comfortable with how that’ll age. The guy is 28 years old, already has a Finals MVP, is as dominant as any player that we’ve seen in a long, long time. He’s going to be a top-10 player all time. I’m more than comfortable with how that will age.”
NBA MVP Not a Concern for Jokić
The Nuggets franchise player has made it clear that he is not concerned with the award throughout the years, and he reiterated his sentiments following the win against Minnesota on Wednesday.
Nikola Jokic on the MVP award: “I think the whole MVP conversation is getting out of control.”
“I think I’m playing good basketball…I think a couple guys deserve to have the award.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) April 11, 2024
Voter fatigue has often plagued the MVP cases for some of the all-time greats, but despite the reluctancy of some, it appears that Jokić is destined to win his third MVP.
