How Nikola Jokic compares to the MVP candidates

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has had a great start start to the year.

With that being said, how does the Denver Nuggets’ big man, Nikola Jokic, match up with the MVP candidates so far?

He may have fallen out of the race for the moment after his down week which included a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies where he only took 1 from the field, but he was looking like a legitimate candidate at the very start to the year.

For the record, we will not be saying if he should win the award or if anyone else should for this piece. We are just comparing and discussing how Jokic’s numbers stack up against the candidates.

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Here are the Joker’s numbers so far: 17.6 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game, 7 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game and 1 block per game. As far as advanced analytics go, he is averaging a box plus/minus (BPM) of 7.1 to go along with a career high defensive box plus/minus (DPM) of 5.4. He is also averaging a true shooting percentage of 64.7% and a defensive rating of 99 followed by an offensive rating of 123 which showcases his improvements on the defensive side of the floor.

Now, let’s take a look at the MVP candidates. First, we have Anthony Davis. Davis is averaging 24.6 points per game, 12.1 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game and 3.1 blocks per game. His advanced stats currently sit at 6.6 BPM, 4.3 DBPM, 55.2% true shooting percentage and an offensive rating of 116 followed by a defensive rating of 106.

Now for Giannis Antetokounmpo . The Greek Freak is averaging 25.7 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per game, 5.5 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game and 1.4 blocks per game. His advanced stats are currently a BPM of 7.8, 5.6 DBPM, a 58.4% true shooting percentage, 109 offensive rating and an insane 97 defensive rating.

Last, but certainly not least, we have Stephen Curry. Curry is getting back to his MVP ways this season averaging 29.5 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 6.1 assists per game, 1 steal per game and 0.8 blocks per game. His advanced analytics currently sit at a 7.8 BPM, -2.1 DBPM, 68.1% true shooting percentage, 111 defensive rating and an offensive rating of 126.

There are other candidates obviously, but these seem to be most popular candidates as of right now.

As one can see by comparing these key statistics, Nikola Jokic is not as far behind in the MVP race as many seem to believe.