Nikola Jokić

78 seasons worth of high-level basketball would make it difficult for even the NBA’s greatest talents to construct the type of play that hasn’t been seen before; with one breathtaking display after another, though, Nikola Jokić continues putting both that theory and opposing defenses to the test. Mythical in his ability to see even the unseen angles across basketball’s 94-by-50 court setup, the two-time Most Valuable Player elevates intuition and awareness a few notches, galloping down the floor with his eye on a transition score. Fully aware of the outlet pass entering his vicinity, but oblivious to its precise location, Jokić decelerates slightly, allowing the ball to drop right in front of his stride before rendering Taurean Prince’s hustle foolish with a perfectly-placed volleyball tap pass into the hands of his teammate for a fastbreak score. The future Hall of Fame center kept the astonishing displays and gaudy statlines rolling during the Denver Nuggets’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four. Taking his do-it-all nature to an additional level, Jokić turned in 33 points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists, one steal, one rejection, and a pair of 3-pointers on April 27, 2024.

MVP Year