The Rise of Nikola Jokić: A Force to Behold
In a stunning display of dominance, Nikola Jokić erupted for a remarkable 55 points, leading his team to victory against the LA Clippers. This season, he's on a roll, and his performance is nothing short of extraordinary.
The 2019-20 NBA season was an anomaly, to say the least. It tested the league and its players in unprecedented ways. After a sudden halt due to the pandemic, the season resumed in the Disney bubble, dragging on until October, a full 355 days after its commencement. Amidst all the chaos, a surprising development went largely unnoticed:
Nikola Jokić, the 7-foot center for the Denver Nuggets, was not the force he is today. Sure, he had his moments, with a 30-20-10 game and a 47-point performance, but he didn't start in the All-Star Game, wasn't named to the First Team All-NBA, and his stats were modest compared to his current form. In fact, he finished ninth in the MVP voting, with Giannis Antetokounmpo taking the crown.
But here's where it gets interesting. Since then, Jokić has embarked on a remarkable journey, dominating the NBA like never before. He's won three Kia MVP awards, finished as runner-up twice, and is currently sitting pretty at the top of the Kia Race to the MVP Award.
This season, Jokić is on a roll. He's a triple-double machine, an exceptional passer, and an elite scorer and rebounder. His footwork is impeccable, his court vision is exceptional, and his desire to win is palpable. Denver's impressive 9-2 record is a testament to his leadership.
Over an eight-day stretch, Jokić's performances were nothing short of extraordinary. He dropped 55 points in one game, had a 33-15-16 stat line in another, and scored 26 points without attempting a single free throw. He's shooting an incredible 67% from the field this season, leading the league in rebounds and assists. And let's not forget, he's averaging a triple-double.
The 2019-20 season feels like a distant memory now. Prehistoric, even. In the 2025-26 season, Jokić's performances are causing the MVP Ladder to wobble under his weight.
This week, the stage is set for an exciting showdown. Antetokounmpo, currently ranked third, will face off against Luka Dončić and Donovan Mitchell as the Bucks take on the Lakers and Cavaliers. The stats speak for themselves: Jokić is shooting an impressive 78% on two-pointers.
Nuggets coach David Adelman sums it up perfectly: "He's the most efficient basketball player I've ever seen. Show me someone else who plays at this level of efficiency offensively."
- Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last Week's Ranking: No. 3
Season Stats: 28.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, 10.9 assists
His Case: Jokić's overall dominance and efficiency are unmatched. He's a supreme basketball talent, making the extraordinary seem routine. His performance on Wednesday, where he outscored the entire Clippers starting five, raises an intriguing question: Is Jokić on the cusp of an even greater breakthrough? With three MVP awards already under his belt, the sky's the limit for this talented player.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Season Stats: 32.5 points, 6.6 assists, 1.3 steals
His Case: Gilgeous-Alexander remains a consistent force, performing at a high level with minimal effort. He's rested for seven fourth quarters in just 13 games, as his work is often done by the end of the third. In those seven games, he's scored under 30 points only once. Imagine if he played the full 12 minutes in those quarters; his scoring average would likely soar towards 40 points per game. Yet, he's still the second-leading scorer in the NBA. His 1.7 turnovers are remarkably low for a player with such a heavy offensive load.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week's Ranking: No. 2
Season Stats: 33.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists
His Case: Antetokounmpo's drop in ranking is more a testament to the intense competition on the Ladder than any dip in his performance. He continues to be a dominant force, leading the league in scoring and rebounding. In his last 10 games, he's scored below 30 points only twice and grabbed fewer than 10 rebounds just four times. He's generating double-doubles consistently, often facing double teams due to the lack of a certified All-Star teammate.
- Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last Week's Ranking: No. 5
Season Stats: 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.9 assists
His Case: Dončić's statistical qualifications were always going to come once he remained healthy. Now, with his return to the lineup, he's poised to enter the MVP conversation in earnest. While an average triple-double this season is a possibility, it remains to be seen how his numbers will be affected by LeBron James' return and the subsequent sharing of ball-handling duties. Nonetheless, this season is shaping up to be another impressive one for Dončić.
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Last Week's Ranking: No. 4
Season Stats: 26.2 points, 13 rebounds, 3.6 blocks
His Case: Wembanyama's performance last week raised some eyebrows, but his response was nothing short of spectacular. He became the first player in NBA history to record 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 5+ blocks, and 5+ 3-pointers in a single game, demolishing the Bulls. His ability to cross up defenders and his height (7'4" or possibly 7'5") make him a force to be reckoned with. He followed that up with a 31-point triple-double against the Warriors.
The Next 5:
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
And five more:
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
The NBA landscape is ever-changing, and the competition is fierce. Who will emerge as the MVP this season? Only time will tell. What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your predictions and opinions in the comments!
