Nikola Jokic, undisputed MVP
May 10, 2021 | Sports,
By Joe Miller
Nikola Jokic’s MVP season has not been much of a debate as of late, but that has not stopped some people from making ridiculous arguments.
Nick Wright, host of First Things First on Fox Sports, recently commented on his show on the Jokic MVP case. Wright claimed, “Historically speaking, he [Jokic] would be the worst one, we’ve had in thirty-five years. Chris Paul wouldn’t be.”
What Nick Wright is doing here is two-fold. He is stating Nikola Jokic does not have the resume of other MVP winners. The conclusion he draws from this is that Chris Paul, who has a better career and resume, should win the award instead.
These standards for the Most Valuable Player award are laughable. The idea that MVP voters should compare Nikola Jokic’s historic season to Chris Paul’s Hall of Fame career is absurd.
This criteria is ridiculous, and there is a reason why Wright uses this logic. It’s because there’s no solid basketball argument to be made against Jokic winning the MVP.
Below is a table comparing Jokic and Paul’s respective numbers this season. Chris Paul averages .4 more assists per game and 1 less turnover per game than Nikola Jokic. Paul also has a higher free throw percentage shooting a jaw-dropping 93.1% from the charity stripe.
Every other statistic shows Nikola Jokic as a more impactful player this season. He has a 31 PER compared to Paul’s 21. Jokic scores more points and scores them more efficiently, while averaging over 10 rebounds a game.
|
Jokic |
Paul |
|
|
Points |
26.4 |
16.2 |
|
Rebounds |
10.8 |
4.5 |
|
Assists |
8.5 |
8.9 |
|
Turnovers |
3.2 |
2.2 |
|
FG% |
56.6% |
49.2% |
|
3PT% |
40.2% |
39.2% |
|
FT% |
86.3% |
93.1% |
|
EFG% |
60.3% |
55.0% |
|
TS% |
64.7% |
59.3% |
|
Win Shares |
14.7 |
8.6 |
Chris Paul has had an all-star caliber season this year leading the Phoenix Suns to the second best record in the NBA, but Jokic has done much more. He has put himself in the best player in the world conversation.
The only other players who have averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists per game in a season are Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. Jokic is the first center in NBA history to record these numbers and he’s doing it with unbelievable efficiency.
Comparing the Joker’s season to any of these seasons Westbrook or Robertson produced, Jokic has the highest FG%, FT%, and 3PT%.
No one in NBA history has produced a 25/10/8 season with 55% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from downtown.
Nikola Jokic’s MVP season is unmatched. He may not have the resume of the previous winners of the trophy. He was not even a first round pick. Jokic is a player we have never seen before, and will likely never see for a long time.
It may drive ratings to endlessly meander and debate who the MVP is, but there’s nothing to discuss. It’s the Joker.