Nikola Jokic has had an incredible run. He's won three MVP awards in the last five years, and he's been the MVP for the last five years in a row if you ask George Karl and Nuggets fans alike. But this season, the Nuggets aren't at the top of the standings, and it's affected his place in the MVP race, prompting some high-profile MVP voters and another prominent NBA voice to rank the Joker lower than he's finished in the MVP race in five years.
MVP was the topic of discussion for the roundtable on "Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective," and the trio of Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and Tim MacMahon were discussing the recent run from Victor Wembanyama, when MacMahon gave his stunning Jokic ranking and confirmed that at least Windy, an MVP award voter last season, has Jokic currently in third.
"I would have Luca third, Windy, you had Joker third, but whatever," MacMahon said.
Windhorst and Bontemps were both surprised by the fourth-place admission for Jokic, who's been on a historic run of games. But the sting of Windhorst's confirmation of Jokic's place means more, because, he actually gets a vote for MVP, and he voted for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Jokic last season.
Nuggets record large reason why Jokic is ranked lower
Nikola Jokic has been on a historic run over the past five years, and he could be having his best statistical season yet, leading the league in both rebounds and assists. The 12.8 rebounds per game is the second-highest of his career, and his 10.8 assists eclipse last season's 10.2 by a nice margin.
It's a shame that the overall record of the Nuggets, currently 46-28, and in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, has pushed him so far down the list, but to be fair, MacMahon backed up his point. The Thunder, Spurs, and Lakers are all ahead of the Nuggets.
"If we're going to value winning, then it's hard for me to make a case for Joker over Luca," McMahon continued.
Again, MacMahon doesn't have a vote, but he shares a sentiment that's been going around the league. The Nuggets have lost a lot of close games this season, including some directly to the Thunder. It's hard to make the case for Jokic over the others based on the record.
Brian Windhorst doesn't have Jokic ranked in the top-two
Windhorst's ranking of Jokic third pretty much cements the end of his first- or second-place run in MVP voting over the past five years. He could still have a chance to finish on the podium and will likely be an All-NBA first teamer, but the MVP dream run is likely over.
"I still think Shai is going to win, but Wemby could overtake it," said Windhorst.
It's a reality that was coming at some point. Nuggets fans just didn't think it would be the season he led the league in rebounds and assists at the same time. Ok. On to the playoffs we go.