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Is Nikola Jokic the greatest back-to-back MVP ever?

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

DENVER, CO - APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena on April 5, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena on April 5, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green
Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Elite All-Around Stats

Obviously, any player who’s won the NBA MVP has had a historic season on some level. Although, Nikola Jokic is coming off perhaps the best all-around season statistically the league has ever seen.

By the end of the regular season, Jokic finished in the top ten in points per game (27.1), assists per game (7.9), and second in rebounds per game (13.8).  He also averaged more steals than any other big man in the league and was the only player to shoot over 58.3 percent from the field, 33 percent from deep, and 81 percent from the free-throw line.

Although, we have to take a closer look at his advanced metrics to get a better idea of his impact on the court.

First off, Jokic had the highest PIE rating in the NBA at 37.6 and was among the league leaders in every major statistical category beyond that. Most notably, he finished fifth in assist percentage (38.8), second in rebound percentage (20.9) and eighth in offensive rating (117.3) among players averaging 20 minutes per game or more.

All while carrying one of the higher usage ratings in the league at 30.9. Which contributed to Nikola Jokic walking away with the best PER in league history of 32.8.

Simply put, Jokic had arguably the most efficient individual season in NBA history.

Wilt, Kareem, MJ, LeBron… Basically, everybody who’s won back-to-back league MVPs has put up incredible numbers. However, you could argue that none of these superstars put up as great of an all-around statistical performance as Jokic. At least from an efficiency standpoint.

It’s easy to get hung up on his highlight reel passes and heroic showings night in and night out, but these only tell part of the story. The truth is that Jokic’s individual statistics this season rival any NBA great of years past, and tell the bigger picture of why he’s arguably the greatest back-to-back MVP ever.

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