Serbian Nikola Jokic was elected MVP of the 2021 NBA season, succeeding Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, crowned in the last two seasons.
A coronation that was expected. Nikola Jokic was voted MVP (“Most Valuable Player”) of the 2021 NBA season, becoming the 35th player in the history of the prestigious Basketball League to add his name to this prestigious list. To win this Maurice Podoloff statuette, the Serbian also succeeds another European, in the person of the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, crowned during the last two seasons, in 2019 and then in 2020. Now 26, Jokic has collected a total of 971 points including 91 first places. Behind him, Joel Embiid takes second place, but he is relatively far, with 586 points including a first place, while Stephen Curry completes this podium, with a total of 453 points including five first places. This title rewards the consistency of Jokic, who has not missed any meeting, in this regular season, with his franchise of the Denver Nuggets.
Lowest drafted MVP in history
He also finished it with average statistics of 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.3 interceptions at 57% on shots, 39% on three-pointers and 87%. to free throws. All while having played a total of 72 games, with an average of 35 minutes on the floor. Before him, only fourteen other MVPs had played an entire regular season. The last being the late Kobe Bryant, in 2008.
Under the leadership of Nikola Jokic, also a triple All-Star, the Denver Nuggets franchise was able to finish this regular season in third place in the Western Conference standings., with a record of 47 wins for 25 losses. Resident of this franchise based in the state of Colorado, Nikola Jokic was then drafted, in 2014, in 41st position. Which gives even more importance to this title of MVP since the main interested party has, quite simply, become the lowest drafted MVP in history, ahead of Steve Nash and Giannis Antetokounmpo, chosen in 15th position, respectively in 1996 and in 2013.
