Unbiased opinion: Nikola Jokic is the Front Runner for MVP
Every morning I wake up after watching Nikola Jokic play basketball, I think to myself, “I will never see a man that large do the same things this man can do, ever again.” I can’t believe the things that Nikola does on a nightly basis. How is he not the clear cut front runner in the race for MVP?
For starters, it is a Denver Nugget. The Nuggets are currently in 7th place in the West with a record of 20–15. The two players who are also in the race, simply play in larger markets. The definition of the Most Valuable Player has been a revolving door to fit a narrative. In my opinion, the MVP award needs to go to the player who effects the game and team the most. I think hypothetically, like where each team would be without each of the candidates.
Where would the Lakers be without LeBron? Where would the Sixers be without Joel? And where would the Nuggets be without Nikola?
Listen… There are 3 very worthy candidates this year which is an absolute anomaly when it comes to the MVP discussion. Normally there is the deserved candidate and a dark horse. This year, I could see it going any which way and there is still so much season left that it is honestly outrageous that I am typing out who is leading the MVP race at the moment.
3 — LeBron Raymone James
So I am not the biggest stat guy, I like to watch the games and then factor in stats. So I will not be expanding into stats other than the one’s listed above.
LeBron has to be in the conversation because the award should just be named after him. He has changed the rules on how players can achieve MVP. Last year he wanted the MVP based on narrative, he did not get it. Though he loses to people in the MVP race who have won it off of narrative. So it really is just how can we not give the award to LeBron…
If the Lakers didn’t have LeBron, where would they be? Well without LeBron & AD… Boy… I don’t know how far this team would fall in the standings, but the 9th place Grizzlies are only 5.5 games back of the Lakers in third… Without both, this team would be battling to get into the playoffs. It is hard to get into hypotheticals but the Lakers without LeBron would be a completely different team. That is why the MVP award needs to become the LeBron James award.
He is absolutely deserved this year as AD has been sidelined recently, but the stats are very interesting. He averages 25.8 pts, but is shooting 69.2% from the stripe. How much would that increase his PPG if he shoots 75% (above his career avg. at 73.4%)? His field goal % & 3 point % is about on par for his career. 5 win shares is the lowest of the three, which to me is a fairly large factor when looking at MVP. To sum up: LeBron is still LeBron, but there just happen to be two better candidates this year.
2 — Joel Embiid
First of all, Hans as a middle name is fire. I may name my first born Hans.
Joel has been an absolute beast this year. The stats are incredible. I firmly believe his win shares would be higher if he had more games under his belt, so that will not be as much of a factor in terms of Jokic vs. Embiid. The two impact the game in completely different ways. Joel DOMINATES the paint and defensively. He is an absolute weapon that truly can only hope to be contained on both sides of the floor.
Shooting 41.7% from 3 is outrageous. Averaging 30 pts (I mean he is), 11.3 rebounds and 3 assists are numbers centers dream about. Where would the Sixers be without Embiid? I know where they wouldn’t be… And that is at the helm in the Eastern Conference ship. I see this team as a playoff team without Joel, but the three candidates this year affect their teams every second they are in the game. It is impossible to know if Ben Simmons can lead a Joel-less Sixers team, but I can’t imagine it looks pretty.
Joel has been dominate, but who effects the team and is most valuable to their team?
1 — Nikola Jokic
Enter Big Honey. The man with no middle name. This man has been a freak all year. 8.3 win shares… 8.6 apples as a big man. 41.7% from 3. These stats are nearly a regurgitation of Joel, minus the assists. So lets think about this: How many points does Nikola average if he isn’t dishing the rock to his teammates creating open buckets? I know it is more than the 30 Joel averages. The shooting percentages would take a dip and the assists would go down to 4.3 (half). The numbers absolutely favor Jokic. He touches the ball the most in the league and is arguably the best passer in the league currently.
Where would the Nuggets be without the Joker? I genuinely think this team would be in the same boat as the Thunder & Kings in the Western Conference gauntlet. The creativity that Jokic brings every night, has every player on the court engaged because he gets everyone involved and the fact that literally no one except Joel can guard him makes him #valuable.
I know, I know. I can hear it now… “HOMERRRRRRRRRR”. Save it. This is a full on #MVPJoker movement to create awareness for the Serbian Slayer. If no one else is hopping on the train, fine. I will absolutely die on this hill BY MYSELF. All I know is that I watch Jokic play basketball, and I can firmly say that I have never seen anything so awkwardly majestic in my entire life and I just want people to appreciate the player that is Nikola Jokic. He will not win MVP, but the narrative is there. No Nugget has ever won MVP. Why not this year?
