Sure, it is nonetheless early within the 2024-25 NBA season, however apparently not too early to begin discuss in regards to the MVP raceand with the start of this dialog it’s price noting that Denver Nuggets heart Nikola Jokic is on the sting of historical past. With an MVP win this season, Jokic would change into the sixth participant to win 4 or extra MVP awards, and solely the third to win 4 in 5 years, becoming a member of Invoice Russell and LeBron James in that illustrious class.
And from what we’re listening to, that is the course we’re heading.
In a latest episode of The Hoop collective podcastTim Bontemps stated Jokic led all gamers in ESPN’s first NBA MVP Straw of the 12 months ballot with 57 1st place votes. He appeared on all 100 ballots forged and was one of many prime two vote getters within the final seven MVP Straw polls.
It ought to come as no shock that the Nuggets’ star heart is taken into account the MVP favourite. At present, Jokic ranks 2nd in factors per recreation (31.0), third in rebounds (13.0), and 2nd in assists (9.8). The one participant in NBA historical past to complete within the prime 5 in factors, rebounds and assists per recreation in the identical season was Wilt Chamberlainwho did so for a number of consecutive years in 1967 and 1968.
The usual figures alone paint an image the place The Joker is clearly one of the notable gamers within the NBAhowever dig somewhat deeper and you will find that he actually is in rarefied air.
Jokic is capturing 56 p.c from the sector, 50 p.c from three-point vary and 80 p.c from the free throw line. If it holds, he can be the one participant By no means common not less than 15 factors per recreation on not less than 55-50-80 pictures. Jokic additionally leads the league in Vorps and Shmorps – because of GOAT Zach Lowe – and in PER with a 31.9, which is the fifth highest mark in league historical past.
However maybe extra importantly, the attention take a look at leaves little doubt that Nikola Jokic is one of the best basketball participant alive who controls the sport extra each night time than anybody else within the league.
Can Nikola Jokic maintain his personal towards the remainder of the sector within the race for MVP?
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Based on Bontemps, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed second within the preliminary Straw ballot after a 2023-24 season through which he completed 2nd in MVP voting behind Jokic. SGA’s numbers are precisely on par with final 12 months’s — 30 factors, 5 rebounds, 6 assists per recreation — and he is the staff’s go-to man with the 2nd-best file within the NBA, which is mostly adequate. to deliver you into the MVP dialog.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was third within the Straw ballot, most likely largely as a consequence of a Dominant run via NBA Cup. Giannis is averaging 32.7 factors per recreation, a career-high and greatest within the league for a Bucks staff enjoying its greatest basketball. immediately.
Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic spherical out the highest 5 lower than six months after dealing with one another within the 2024 NBA Finals.
In complete, fourteen gamers acquired the highest 5 votes: Jokic, SGA, Giannis, Tatum, Luka, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Cities, Kevin Durant, Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant .
