Denver Nuggets: Three reasons why Nikola Jokic isn’t the MVP

Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic likely won’t make a deep playoff push

Giannis Antetokounmpo won back-to-back MVP trophies can you could almost hear the disappointment in the national media’s voice when he didn’t deliver.

The first time, Kawhi Leonard completely dominated the Greek Freak in a seven-game series while the next time, the Bucks were embarrassed by the Miami Heat in the 2020 bubble.

It pretty much ruled out Giannis from winning it the following season, regardless of what he did. He went on to win an NBA championship in 2021 but there was almost no way he was going to win the MVP trophy before that.

Yes, I understand it’s a regular season award but the voters always treat the previous season’s playoffs as an entree before the regular season voting.

Jokic carried an undermanned Nuggets squad past the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2021 playoffs but was severely outclassed in the second round against the eventual Western Conference Champion Suns.

Without Jamal Murray and potentially even Michael Porter Jr., will the Denver Nuggets face a similar playoff fate? Jokic is incredible and will likely power the Nuggets past their first-round opponent but unless the bracket breaks perfectly, they’re going to face a very good team in the second round and it might be too much.

But hold on, I’m trying to list reasons why Nikola Jokic shouldn’t be the MVP and I’ve come up with playoffs, which doesn’t count towards voting, statistical fatigue, which might be made up, and narrative which has been an issue ina ward voting for a long time.

Maybe Nikola is the MVP after all.