The Denver Nugget’s Nikola Jokic continues to dominate headlines along with his historic efficiency in Friday’s 149-141 time beyond regulation win towards the Suns, with the NBA’s first ever 30-point, 20-rebound and 20-assist evening. It’s virtually unattainable to seek out phrases to proceed to explain Jokic’s elite play and effectivity this season, and Friday evening’s efficiency simply added to his legacy.
Jokic tallied 31 factors, 22 rebounds, and a career-high 22 assists. With that, Jokic is as much as 29 triple-doubles on the season and has recorded 149 all through his profession.
After this efficiency, Jokic is formally averaging a triple-double this season. Solely two different gamers in NBA historical past have ended the season with a triple-double common: Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson.
Jokic continues to dominate the headlines along with his unbelievable play nightly, which has turned heads within the present MVP debate. Extra impressively, Jokic tried solely three free throws in final evening’s showdown, which included time beyond regulation.
There have been a number of discussions amongst media scribes and followers involving this 12 months’s NBA MVP race. Final evening’s efficiency made the dialog far more fascinating.
As of final week, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a transparent favourite to say his first MVP title. The Thunder have among the best data within the NBA (52-11) and he has been the primary purpose behind this elite Thunder squad. Averaging 32.8 factors, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per recreation and sustaining first place within the Western Convention makes a powerful case for a MVP season.
However after analyzing Jokic’s statistics and his workforce’s present document and placement within the Western Convention standings (third place and a 41-22 document), it is exhausting to think about how Jokic is not going to win the MVP award this season.
Jokic’s Gaudy Numbers
1st in effectivity (32.5 ranking)
third in factors per recreation (28.9)
third in rebounds per recreation (12.9)
2nd in assists per recreation (10.6)
Tied for second in steals per recreation (1.8)
Tied for fifth in 3 level % (44%)
He’s placing collectively probably the most spectacular seasons in NBA historical past, and it will likely be exhausting to disregard his manufacturing in terms of eligible voters submitting an MVP vote this 12 months.
What makes the MVP race extra fascinating is the present NBA schedule. The Thunder and the Nuggets have two conferences back-to-back on March 9 and10, and it is exhausting to check how these two video games is not going to drastically sway the opinions of MVP voting.
This two-game collection will certainly be the deciding issue on who will turn out to be the 2024-2025 MVP winner, as all the media consideration and voters will intently take note of these video games.
NBA followers ought to understand how particular Jokic is on a nightly, foundation as we’re witnessing the play of among the best facilities to ever play the sport. Take pleasure in it whereas it lasts.
If he continues on his torrid tempo, we’ve got simply witnessed one of many best, if not the best, particular person season in NBA historical past.
