Assessing chances Denver's Nikola Jokic wins third straight MVP
Only three players in the history of the NBA have won three consecutive MVPs, the most recent being Larry Bird from 1984-86.
NBA.com's Kia MVP Ladder has two-time defending MVP Nikola Jokić of the Nuggets as the current leader. Does he stand a chance to capture the historic three-peat?
Considering the usual NBA Awards voter fatigue, "The Joker" could be at a disadvantage.
Many felt Jokić didn't deserve the award last season, despite posting a 32.85 efficiency rating, the most efficient season of all time. Denver's finish as the No. 6 seed in the West left some voters hesitant to hand Jokić his second straight MVP award, but he won anyway.
Nuggets HC Mike Malone said it would be "lazy" of voters not to choose Jokić for MVP simply because it would be his third straight, and his argument is valid.
There's no longer a lack of team success to discredit Jokić's performance. The Nuggets (25-13), who sit in first in the Western Conference standings, are finally thriving as a unit.
Denver boasts a 116.7 offensive rating, not far off from the highest team offensive rating in NBA history (118.3).
While Jokić is the lead man of a top squad and has similar averages to his two MVP seasons, he's still flying under the radar for some. His Player Efficiency Rating has dipped to 31.87, only good for fourth best all time.
Jokić, widely considered the best passing big ever, might be among the greatest passers of all time. The crafty giant averages a career-high 9.5 assists third best in the Association this season.
Although his scoring (25.2 ppg) is down from last season, Jokić’s 68.6 true shooting percentage is the highest season mark for a 20+ ppg player ever. Somehow, the most efficient player ever continues to become more efficient.
Other candidates' big recent performances have catapulted them up the MVP ladder, but Jokić was on fire last month, averaging 29.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10.1 assists.
His dominant December featured four 40-point games, including an unbelievable 40-27-10 night against Charlotte and a 41-15-15 Christmas Day outing. The ridiculous stat lines weren't enough to garner Player of the Month honors, however.
The biggest threat to dethrone Jokić for MVP is Dallas' Luka Dončić, whose narrative this season is similar to Jokic's last season. Dončić is carrying an underwhelming roster to a respectable spot in the standings, and his 31.78 PER is impressive.
Since he doesn't have any NBA MVP awards to his name, Dončić won't have to worry about voter fatigue. But it is a bit hypocritical considering the scrutiny Jokić's campaign endured last season.
If Denver remains in control of the top seed, it'll be hard to refute Jokić's claim for another MVP award.
OddsChecker gives Jokić the fourth-best odds for MVP, trailing Dončić, who's No. 1, followed by Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston's Jayson Tatum.
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