Nikola Jokic is overlooked for MVP, but should be in the running
When MVP comes to mind in the National Basketball Association, a few names pop to mind first. Giannis. Durant. Steph. Lebron. Harden. Davis. Russ. However, few players in the league actually are overlooked for the incredible achievement, one who should be in all MVP discussions, Nikola Jokic.
Jokic is one player who could be described as a do-it-all player. He has the vision of a guard, the shot of a wing, and the rebounding and post game of a center.
Jokic is currently rolling with a 18-11-6 stat line, which is a line that only legends such as Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, and Russell Westbrook have maintained. To go along with this, Nikola has contributed an extra 5.5 wins to his team, or the tenth most win shares in the league.
Yes, players like Harden, who is averaging 33-6-8 and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with 26-12-6 obviously are showing a better stat line, but we need to take into account that Jokic is only averaging 31 minutes a game.
When putting everyone’s stats per 36 minutes, or where every plays the same amount of minutes, Jokic is averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, or a near triple-double, that has only been done by Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson, according to Basketball Reference.
Despite being lower in points compared to those above him in the running, we need to take into account the Field Goal attempts per game, where Jokic is shooting the ball 5 less times per game than the likes of Harden and Antetokounmpo.
When giving Jokic the equivalent amount of shots as Harden, assuming he shoots at his average of 50%, Jokic would be averaging 25.8 points per game, or 11th best average in the league, via Basketball Reference.
To go along with these numbers, Jokic currently ranks 4th in double-doubles with 23, and 4th in triple-doubles with 3, and is also the only center with more than one on the year.
Jokic may have a lower volume than the likes of Harden, KD and Giannis, which exploits their numbers to look much more complete than Jokic, but by digging deep into the numbers, Jokic is shooting significantly lower shots, playing about 7 less minutes, and is still performing as a better passer than the top 10 in the MVP race, as well as out rebounding everyone but Anthony Davis.
Do I think he will win it? No, but I think he should be in the running. To go along with his numbers, we need to factor in the team record. The Nuggets are currently atop the Western Conference with a 26-11 record, and sit third overall in the NBA, behind the Raptors and Bucks. Both those teams are centered around a star, Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, respectively. Each of those teams however have another potential all star along with them, as well as two of the top 5 benches in the NBA, per Basketball Reference.
The Raptors have Jonas Valanciunas, who ranks 12th in PER, and Kyle Lowry, who despite injury made an early case for MVP already this year. The Bucks have Khris Middleton who ranks 35th in PER. Besides Jokic, the next best player is Paul Millsap, who ranks 44th in PER. Not only that, but the next best after Millsap is Mason Plumlee at 84th.
The numbers may not show it, but Jokic is just as talented as the other candidates, and his name should be put into MVP discussions, regardless of how low his numbers seem to be. The talent surrounding Jokic is also minimal, which should mean he should be taking much more shots, but he is so gifted in various areas of the floor he is not required to.
I do not think Nikola Jokic will ultimately win the MVP race, but with his skillset and numbers, he has a strong case to be in the running for a top three finish.
