It was obvious. At 29 years old, Nikola Jokic was voted best player of the year for the 2023-2024 season in the NBA on Wednesday. A third trophy after those of 2021 and 2022 for the Serbian pivot who succeeds Joel Embiid (Sixers). The Joker led the Nuggets to second place in the Western Conference with high-flying statistics: 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9 assists at 58% shooting. He is ahead of the Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) and the Slovenian Luka Doncic (Mavericks) in the journalists’ vote.
The player joins a very exclusive club of triple MVP winners: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. A five-star casting which sees the arrival of the first European player, symbol of the domination of players from the Old Continent since 2018, the last year which saw the coronation of an American (James Harden). “I think no one can do what Jokic does. It’s a unique, incredible and fantastic phenomenon,” praised Spurs coach Gregg Popovich in March.
The collector of triple-doubles
A genius passer, the Serbian was once again the hub of the Nuggets’ attack, reflecting his 25 triple-doubles. A nonchalant player who gives off an impression of ease on the floors with his height of 2.11 m and his 129 kg. “A super-powerful gorilla with superior intelligence,” as described by Nebojsa Vagic, godfather of the Nuggets star. But Jokic remains focused on another goal before pursuing his other passion for horses in Serbia.
He is in the race to retain the championship title with Denver after the coronation against Miami (4-1). In the Conference semi-finals, he faced the Wolves of the best defender of the year Rudy Gobert. With the Michael Jordan trophy that he will present to the Denver public, he will try not to lose it like that of the Finals MVP that he had lost last year.
