DEVASTATING NEWS: 3 Reasons Nikola Jokic won’t win MVP despite having the best season…

Nikola Jokic’s performance to begin the 2024-25 season with the Nuggets has been so impressive that it’s hard to imagine anyone other than him winning the MVP. His play has far outshone that of his peers, and he ranks among the top players in nearly every major statistical category, both traditional and advanced.

Jokic’s numbers are almost unbelievable. Even though he’s already claimed three of the past four MVP awards, he continues to set new personal records. Currently, he’s averaging an astounding 32.3 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game.

Additionally, Jokic is among the league leaders in steals per game, and he’s significantly increased both his three-point shooting volume and efficiency, currently hitting 50% on 4.4 attempts per game—an unsustainable pace. If he maintains this level of play (or even if his numbers dip slightly), he will likely be the clear frontrunner for MVP.

He is undoubtedly the best player in the world at the moment and is performing better than ever before. However, despite all of this, there are still several factors that need to fall into place for him to secure his fourth MVP award in five years. Here are three key reasons why his victory isn’t guaranteed.

1.) Team Performance

One factor that could hinder Jokic’s MVP bid is the performance of his team. Historically, the award has typically gone to a player on a top-tier team, but recently, the Nuggets have been trending toward being a .500 team.

They are trying together and ultimately, if the team can’t get a top 4 seed or win 45+ games, it’s going to be very hard for the voters to reward Jokic even if he’s clearly the best player in the league.

2.) Voter Fatigue

At some point, human nature influences voters, leading them to favor something new and different. We’ve seen this with players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. More recently, it occurred with stars like James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo as well.

Once a player has won the MVP, the expectations are higher. Whether it’s fair or not, Jokic will be held to a stricter standard because he has already won the award three times. He’s not just competing against other players; he’s also competing against his past performances. It wouldn’t be surprising if voters are drawn to a flashy new contender like Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or Jayson Tatum.

3.) Legacy Tax

Another key reason voters might lean toward a change is historical precedent. A fourth MVP for Jokic would place him in elite company, joining only five other players: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 6, Bill Russell and Michael Jordan with 5, and Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James with 4.

Voters are supposed to focus solely on the 2024-25 season when selecting the MVP, but as basketball historians, they understand the significance of the award. They will likely ask themselves whether Jokic deserves to be in the conversation with the top five players in league history.

Right or wrong, this is what’s at stake, and it’s certain to weigh on voters’ minds in the coming months. While it shouldn’t matter, and if Jokic deserves the award, he should receive it, that’s not always how it works. The reality is that Jokic will need to exceed expectations to win the MVP once again.