Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has been declared the 2023-24 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), according to the league’s announcement on Wednesday.
This accolade marks his third MVP title, making him the ninth player in NBA history to achieve at least three regular-season MVP awards, joining the ranks of basketball legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, and Moses Malone.
In securing the MVP title, Jokic outperformed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. Notably, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, last year’s MVP, was ineligible for this year’s award due to not meeting the required 65 regular-season appearances.
“It’s got to start with the teammates; without them, I cannot do nothing,” Jokic expressed to TNT. “Coaches, players, organization, medical staff, strength coaches, development coaches. It is all one big circle. But I cannot be whatever I am without them.”
Over the season, Jokic posted impressive averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and nine assists per game, steering the Nuggets to a commendable 57-25 record.
This performance secured them second place in the Western Conference. His teammate, Jamal Murray, also made significant contributions with averages of 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.
“Nikola has matured his ability to continue to make everyone around him better,” commented Nuggets’ head coach Michael Malone. “And when you win a championship, and we’re going to run it back, but in place of Bruce [Brown] and Jeff [Green], we’re going to try to put young players in and the fact that we have a better record than we did last year.”
Jokic’s excellence in enhancing team performance is a hallmark of his play, emphasized by coach Malone. His strategic play was instrumental in the Nuggets’ first-round playoff victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, achieved in a 4-1 series dubbed a gentleman’s sweep.
However, advancing further and defending their title will require Jokic to intensify his aggression and attack prowess. The Nuggets have stumbled in the Western semifinals, losing their first two home games against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
