Jokic named NBA MVP for the second year running

Denver Nuggets’ Serbian mountain, Nikola Jokic, was named Most Valuable Player in the NBA for the second consecutive year, following another outstanding season.

Beating the likes of Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo to the award is no mean feat, and securing it two years on the bounce is no easier.

Speaking on the award, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said: “I don’t know what else you can say about Nikola at this point.

“He’s consistently improved his game, he’s consistently proved people wrong when they doubt him and he’s consistently the best player on the floor night in and night out.

“I’ve said it many times before, I’m extremely grateful to coach Nikola Jokic and just as grateful for the bond that we’ve built off the court in our seven years together.”

Across 74 games this season, Jokic averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, as per Statmuse.

Even though his team were dumped out in round one of the playoffs by a resolute Golden State Warriors, Jokic still put on a stunning display, scoring 12 points in the final four minutes of the fifth game to nearly complete the perfect comeback for his side.

Regardless of their playoff performance, Jokic has been brilliant all season, with the seven-foot tall centre being dubbed ‘the best passer since ‘Magic’ Johnson.

The Serbian is an extremely versatile player with a whole host of tools at his disposal – he is almost the perfect basketball player in many respects, and at just 27 years old, there is certainly time for him to get even better

Comparisons to the Lakers’ legend are flattering, indeed, but they are justified. Outside of the stats, Jokic’s passing has been simply outrageous this year. With no-look passes aplenty, and a full court lob to Will Barton against the 76ers springing to mind, the range and ability of the Nuggets’ star is quite something.

Jokic is quite an unusual player. His frame suggests that he should be camping in the paint all game, serving as a target for his team as he slams home dunk after dunk. However, there is so much more to his game than that.

As mentioned, his passing is brilliant quality, but he is also excellent defensively and adept at shooting from range.

This season, he became the first player in NBA history to record at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single campaign, as well as the first player to average at least 25 points, 13 rebounds and six assists per game in a single season.

The Serbian is an extremely versatile player with a whole host of tools at his disposal – he is almost the perfect basketball player in many respects, and at just 27 years old, there is certainly time for him to get even better.

It would be no surprise to see Jokic take home several more MVP awards before calling time on his career.