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MVP Showcase: Nikola "The Joker" Jokic

Delve into the career of “The Joker” who has become the 13th player in the history of the NBA to win MVP in back-to-back seasons.

By Rishabh Mehta
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MVP Showcase: Nikola "The Joker" Jokic

Who would have thought that a 41st Second Round pick drafted during a Taco Bell commercial would accomplish something as unprecedented as winning the MVP trophy twice in back-to-back seasons? Yes, Nikola Jokic has done it again! The Serbian has won his second MVP trophy consecutively after the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo took the trophy home in 2019 & 2020.

This accolade makes “The Joker” the 13th player in the history of the NBA to win this prestigious award in back-to-back seasons. Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the reigning champions -the Milwaukee busks were the other two finalists.

The 27-year-old Serbian averaged 27+ points, and almost 14 rebounds and 8 assists per game this season. Having said this, he led the Nuggets to the 6th Seed with 48 wins even when all gameplans revolved around stopping him & without the Nuggets' second and third best players out due to injury - Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets shooting a free throw against the Washington Wizards
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets shooting a free throw against the Washington Wizards
Season Points Per Game Rebounds per Game Assists per game Steals Per Game
2020-21 26.4 10.8 8.3 1.3
2021-22 27.1 13.8 7.9 1.5
Take a look at The Joker's MVP seasons' stats.

Despite the fact that other two finalists went on ahead to the semi finals of the playoffs, overall statistics & analytics were arguably always in favour of the joker. This accolade comes after The Serbian became first in the league to record a rare feat of 2000 points, 1000 rebounds and 500 assists in a single regular season. Jokic also led the league with 19 Triple Doubles this season. This brings his total to 76 which, among centers, is second highest only to the great Wilt Chamberlain with 78.

Nikola Jokic Moses Malone Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russell Kareem Abdul Jabbar
2 3 4 5 6
The Joker has now joined an elite list of legendary Big Men who have won the MVP trophy multiple times.
Stephen Curry Giannis Antetomuonmpo Lebron James (twice) Steve Nash Tim Duncan Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson Moses Malone Kareem Abdul Jabbar (twice) Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russel
The 4-time All-Star has also made it to a rare list of players who have won MVP twice.

The 6’11, 284-pound Center started his career in the Serbian league and played for two seasons. Where he averaged 18.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, and shot 56.6% from the field. He was drafted 41st in the second Round in the 2014 draft. Despite playing a year after getting drafted, he put up decent numbers. He averaged 10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 80 games in his rookie season in 2015-16.

Did you like the MVP selection this year? Or do you think one of Embiid or The Greek Freak were a better choice? Or maybe someone not on the list? What's your take? Don't forget to tell us in the comments section.

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Author: Rishabh Mehta
Tags: Nikola Jokic NBA MVP Showcase The Joker
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