Victor Wembanyama has taken the NBA by storm to start the season, showcasing his two-way dominance on offense and defense. But if there’s one edge that Nikola Jokic still has, it’s his ability to completely orchestrate the offense and manipulate the defense in ways that no other player in the league can.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be the best scorer in the league, and Wemby is clearly the best defensive player in the league. However, in terms of all-around impact on the game, Jokic is still head and shoulders above the competition as a complete offensive player.
He has consistently made extraordinary stat lines and performances seem normal. When the Nuggets need 30+ points, he can capably provide it; if they need 20+ rebounds, he can handle that with no problem; if they need him to set up teammates and drop 15+ assists, that’s well within his limits also.
Joker has recorded a triple-double in each of the Nuggets’ three games so far this season, and yet, it feels like nobody even cares. It has just become accepted at this point. He averaged a triple-double last season, and he’s on pace to smash the all-time record for triple-doubles as soon as this season.
Jokic should have a leg up for 4th MVP Award
Other players can do a version of what Jokic does, do it on certain nights, or to a lesser level, but nobody is bringing it on a nightly basis like he is. There’s still a chance that others could get to this point, but it’s clear that right now, he’s operating on a higher plane than anyone else in the NBA.
The Spurs are 4-0 with Wemby making highlight reel dunks and blocks left and right, OKC is 5-0 behind SGA’s brilliance, but the steady hand of Jokic has already proven that with this revamped Nuggets’ roster, he’s going to be able to lead one of the best offenses in the game, maybe even in the history of the game.
The MVP award ultimately comes down to narratives and other things. That has cost Jokic in the past, and it may well happen again. Wemby is the shiny new toy, and if the Spurs exceed expectations, he’ll certainly have plenty of momentum to win the award for the first time.
But if Jokic keeps chugging along as he is, and the Nuggets boast an elite offense and strong record, there should be no question about who the best player in the league is. Whether or not the voters will recognize that is another story, but Jokic should, at the very least, be well-positioned to win his fourth MVP.