Can Nikola Jokic Become the MVP in 2022?
Debate always rages as to who will be named MVP, and in 2022 there’s a great chance it will be Nikola Jokic for the second year running, as we explain below.
The Rivals – Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo is no stranger to being crowned MVP, in fact he’s achieved that accolade twice. Nicknamed the Greek Freak (he was born in Athens), Antetokounmpo won the MVP title two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020. He’s also one of the contenders in 2022 but seems likely to end up third behind Embiid and Jokic.
But it’s not out of the question that Antetokounmpo might yet make it three MVP awards in four years, as he recently reminded the world of his class when he outplayed Embiid to secure victory for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Philadelphia 76ers. While the two men tied on some stats, when it came to scoring points Antetokounmpo made 40, and Embiid just 29. But it might well be that these two are scrapping for the runner-up spot behind Jokic.
A potential pitfall for Antetokounmpo in the bid to be named MVP is that while he’s undoubtedly a talented player, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has suggested people are bored with him in spite of consistently great performances.
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The Rivals – Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid has yet to be named MVP in a season but has won his share of recognition, including being named Rookie of the Year in his debut season despite playing only 31 games. In the last 22 years, only two centers have topped the scoring chart: Shaquille O’Neal (2000) and Joel Embiid in 2021-22. By racking up a 30.6 points per game average, Embiid became both the first foreign player to top the stat for a season and the first center since Moses Malone, back in 1982, to break through the 30-point threshold.
The 76ers certainly rate him highly, with a huge $196m contract extension signed in 2021. Embiid rewarded this faith with a strong performance across the season. The challenge he faces in contesting the MVP award is not that he’s done a bad job, but that Jokic has done an astounding one.
A big contrast between Embiid and MVP rival Antetokounmpo is that the former is seen as more charismatic and popular, with antics like mocking Drake after beating the Toronto Raptors going down a storm.
A Record Season for Jokic
One of the main reasons why Jokic is very much seen as the man to beat in the race for the MVP award this year is that his season has been record-breaking. Sports fans and pundits love stats, especially big round numbers, and the Serbian superstar has had a year to remember. In April 2022 he became the first man in the history of the NBA to break through the barrier of 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists during the course of a single season.
It’s been nearly half a century since Wilt Chamberlain stopped playing, but Jokic also became the first player since Chamberlain to score a minimum of 35 points and 12 rebounds in five games on the bounce, highlighting not only immense talent but also impressive consistency the like of which has not been seen for decades. The MVP award cannot be guaranteed, but it would look a little strange if Jokic’s eye-catching season of breaking records did not land him it for the second consecutive year.
The end of the season has been particularly good for Jokic, with a surge in performance that’s netted him a regular season points average of 27.1, with 13.8 rebounds on average, and 7.9 assists. To put those stats in context, prior to this nobody had ever made a season average over 25 points, over 13 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The MVP title will likely go to one of the three men named above, but of them all Jokic is very much the favorite. Whether he wins or not, only time will tell.