Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic wins the 2024 MVP in blistering fashion, beating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks to claim the award.
Denver Nuggets Superstar Wins 2024 MVP
Jokic has now won three MVPs in four years, joining the pantheon of all-time NBA greats. By winning three MVPs, the nine-year Serbian veteran becomes the ninth player to achieve this feat, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan (five), Bill Russell (five), Wilt Chamberlain (four), LeBron James (four), Larry Bird (three), Magic Johnson (three), and Moses Malone (three).
He averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists on an effective field goal percentage of 61% for the season. The last player in NBA history to average over 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists in a season was Oscar Robertson, all the way back in 1962. He’s doing things the league has not seen in over half a century.
Beyond the basic box score numbers, his impact was seen in most advanced metrics. He led the league in player impact estimate, player efficiency rating, win shares, offensive win shares, box plus/minus, offensive box plus/minus, defensive box plus/minus, and value over replacement player. He achieved all of this despite having a usage percentage of 29.3, ranking just 20th in the NBA.
Jokic finished third in the NBA in offensive rating, fourth in assist percentage, and fifth in net rating. The net rating stat is noteworthy because he is not known as an elite defender, but he made massive strides on that end this year. He also recorded 25 triple-doubles and 68 double-doubles this year.
He led the Nuggets to a franchise-tying 57 wins, showcasing his consistency and underrated leadership skills.
Blowing Away the Competition
Jokic dominated the competition, receiving 79 first-place votes. This is as one-sided as an MVP voting process can be, barring a unanimous MVP. Gilgeous-Alexander finished second with 15 first-place votes (640 points), while Doncic finished third with just four first-place votes (566 points), totaling 926 points.
There are some coming-of-age stories from the voting process, like Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks finishing fifth. Jayson Tatum may feel hard done by finishing sixth. Ultimately, his team’s sheer star power might have worked against him in the voting process.
Anthony Edwards finished seventh with a second-place, a third-place, a fourth-place, and three fifth-place votes. These are the first-ever MVP votes for the 22-year-old and are a testament to the season he had this year. The first of many more we will see.
Surprisingly, Kevin Durant received a fifth-place vote, which was his only MVP vote. It’s a poignant moment for the league, as he is the only player above 30 to receive a vote. The MVP voting perfectly encapsulates that this was a crossroads year for the NBA, with the old guard giving way to the new.
The Last Word
In the coming months, fans of the Thunder and Mavericks may feel like their superstar was slighted. There will be debates and outlandish claims. It’s the name of the game; only one person can win the MVP. Jokic winning the 2024 MVP should not be considered a steal by any stretch.
The league is so deep with fantastic talent. Being in the MVP conversation and receiving votes is an extraordinary achievement in its own right. Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic are both just 25. They are technically not yet in their prime. Don’t be surprised if they are in future MVP conversations and win the award.
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