NBA MVP discourse has become almost invasive over the past few years to the point it’s annually one of the biggest storylines in the league. Perhaps that’s justified due to the obvious prestige of the award and what it means, but recently, much of the discussion has grown toxic and the takes have gotten out of hand.
However, one thing that has been improving some of the discussion is the annual straw poll conducted by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. Bontemps polls 100 NBA media members from almost every market around the league, which has created an accurate picture of the race over the years.
Jokic dominating MVP race according to straw poll
Through almost a third of the season, the results of the first poll of the season show that Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets is the clear favorite to take home his fourth MVP award in the last five seasons.
Of the 100 votes, Jokic received 57 first-place votes, 23 second-place votes, 18 third-place votes, and two fourth-place votes. That gave Jokic a solid lead with 827 total points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came in second place with 24 first-place votes and 678 total points; he was the only other player to appear on all 100 ballots.
The only other player to receive a first-place vote was Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks who got 19 first-place votes and 643 total points. The only other player to even receive a second-place vote was Jayson Tatum of the Celtics, earning three and amassing 267 total points, good for fourth in the poll.
Jokic overcoming odds according to voters
These results may come as a surprise to some as, historically, the bar has been extremely high for previous winners of the award. Having won three times, there was a belief that the Joker would have to elevate his game to another level, further separating himself from his contemporaries. So far, he’s done just that.
Sure, there may be some voter fatigue, the Nuggets may not be a top-three seed in the West, and Jokic will be held to a higher standard than anyone. But there’s no question he’s overcome all of that this season. He has been dealt a tough hand with the team around him, but he’s playing the best basketball of his career and the voters recognize that.
A lot can change between now and the end of the season when the real voting for this award will take place, but if things keep going as they have been, it doesn’t appear the voters will be scared to put Jokic into rarified air with a fourth MVP award.