Early NBA season MVP rankings put Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets in Top 3.
He posted yet another astronomical numbers in win against the Dallas Mavericks so where should he be placing in the next ranking? His coach Mike Malone thinks he will fall to fifth spot.
The 53-year-old coach is just being shady about the way the league and the media is treating Jokic who already won three MVP awards. He does not think third spot is where he should be with the way he has been playing and producing great individual stats since the first day of the season.
“I would assume that after tonight’s performance, he’ll probably be like fifth in the MVP voting early in the season. So you just got to do more for us, because what he’s doing hasn’t been noticed by everybody outside of this Rocky Mountain Empire.”
Turning serious, Malone said even him is at a loss for words in describing the way Jokic is going nuclear this season.
“On a serious note, just incredible. We’re all running out of words, adjectives and ways to describe his greatness and his impact. The simple way to say it is he’s the best player in the world.”
Jokic recorded 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists in win over the Mavs. He also added three steals in the game. These numbers put him now in the Top 4 of rebounds (1st), points (4th), assists (2nd).
Nikola Jokic MVP case versus voter fatigue
The Joker got the individual stats and now there is just two problems he has to take care of to assure himself of a fourth season MVP win.
First is the team wins. Voters and media has arrived at the idea that the MVP should come from the best team in the league. The last time it went to someone whose team is below the Top 4 of their conference was in 2016-2017 season when Russell Westbrook won it with the Oklahoma City Thunder only finishing in Top 6.
Another is voter fatigue. It is amazing that Jokic won it for a third time last season but gunning for a fourth one might be hard as many still go back to the last season to judge a current award.
Unlike Michael Jordan who won four, Jokic is not winning back to back titles.
Currently, ahead of Jokic in the MVP rankings are Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.
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