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

Nobody Thought He’d Be Here

Of perhaps any player who’s won back-to-back league MVPs, Nikola Jokic’s story is the most awe-inspiring. As nobody could’ve predicted he would make it this far when he first got drafted to the Denver Nuggets 41st overall back in 2014.

The only other player that you could argue would be Giannis. Who also came from humble beginnings and was heavily under-recruited given how big of a star he is today. Although, even still, he was at least drafted in the first round, whereas Nikola Jokic had to wait late into round two before hearing his name get called.

Wilt, Kareem, Moses, Magic, MJ, Duncan and LeBron were all superstars before they were even old enough to drive. So, we had a pretty good idea they’d all carve out futures in professional basketball at some point.

While Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Steve Nash and Steph Curry all had standout careers in college before turning pro. Each of whom holds records to this day for their respective programs.

Nikola Jokic, on the other hand, took a far different path to get to the NBA. He went from being an overweight Serbian horse racer who drank three litres of Coca-Cola per day to becoming the best basketball player in the world.

He went from averaging less than 2 points, 2 rebounds and 10 minutes per game in Serbia at 17-years-old. To setting NBA records and ranking in the top ten all-time in career triple-doubles before the age of 27.

From his humble beginnings in Sombor, Serbia, to becoming the best basketball player on the planet. Part of what makes him the greatest back-to-back MVP in league history is that nobody expected him to be here.

Even if you don’t want to admit that Nikola Jokic is the greatest back-to-back MVP in NBA history. He’s at the very least the most impressive given his surrounding circumstances, elite individual statistics and humble beginnings.