“Nikola Jokic, by definition of MVP, is the most valuable player this season”: The Joker’s recent form and stats show how the 2021 MVP is the most impactful player in the NBA

Akash Murty | 13/12/2021
"Nikola Jokic, by definition of MVP, is the most valuable player this season": The Joker's recent form and stats show how the 2021 MVP is the most impactful player in the NBA

The 2021 MVP, Nikola Jokic, is still at number four in the MVP race this season, despite being the most impactful player by a big margin.

Stephen Curry might be en route to yet another unanimous MVP. There is no doubt he’s been incredible. Averaging over 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, he’s also approaching Ray Allen’s record of all-time threes made. He’ll be doing it in around 510 fewer games than the Hall of Fame sharpshooter.

The Warriors are also the team with the second-most wins in the NBA, even without Klay Thompson. Everything is going right for 2016’s Unanimous MVP.

But that is making things unfair for the 2021 MVP. Nikola Jokic is having an even better season for the Denver Nuggets, than the last one. And though the Nuggets are just the seventh-best team in the West with a 13-13 record, The Joker has been nothing short of amazing.

Also read: “The impending Stephen Curry record is hanging over us, but has no negative impact!”: Warriors’ Draymond Green clarifies the all-time 3-point record did not result in their loss against Joel Embiid and the Sixers

Nikola Jokic is a level above other MVPs on impact

The 6’11 Serbian has been sensational without his offensive supports Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Junior. Jokic is averaging 26.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game this season making and breaking several records every other game.

Joker’s impact on a game is much higher than the second-best player on the list, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

MVP award has been historically given to the players performing the best in the league and keeping their team in Playoffs contention, irrespective of position on the table.

And although Jokic is top-4 in the MVP race, he can easily make a case of being the best candidate by far. That said, it’s just been 26-games and there’s enough time for each candidate to make their case.

Also read: “Stephen Curry won’t break nothing on our court!”: 76ers’ Joel Embiid and Matisse Thybulle react as Warriors star’s is shockingly limited to 3 of 12 shooting from three

But it’s on the voters to keep an open mind for every player in the race, irrespective of the team they play for and where it stands on the table unless they are in Playoffs contention.

A quick reminder, Russell Westbrook was the MVP in 2017 with OKC finishing sixth in the West.

 

Post Edited By: Amulya Shekhar
Denver Nuggets NBA MVP Nikola Jokic Stephen Curry

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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