In the world of professional basketball, there are stars, there are superstars, and then there are anomalies—players who so thoroughly dismantle our understanding of the game that we simply run out of superlatives. Right now, in the 2025-2026 NBA season, Nikola Jokić is not just playing basketball; he is actively rewriting the history books. Yet, in a twist that defies logic, the narrative surrounding the league’s most prestigious award, the MVP, seems determined to look the other way.
The “Glitch” in the System
Let’s start with the cold, hard facts. Nikola Jokić recently pulled off a statistical feat that was previously the exclusive property of Wilt Chamberlain—a figure often regarded more as a mythical creature than a flesh-and-blood athlete. Jokić now owns the record for the most 30-point triple-doubles while shooting 70% or better from the field.
Read that again. 30 points. Double-digit rebounds and assists. Seventy percent shooting.
In an era where defenses are faster and more complex than ever, Jokić is operating with a surgical efficiency that makes the game look rigged. In a recent masterpiece, he posted 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists on a staggering 71.5% true shooting. These are not just “good games”; they are statistical anomalies that suggest we are watching a player peak higher than anyone dared to imagine. He has passed Wilt for the most triple-doubles by a center, and he’s doing it without the athletic dominance of a Shaq or the verticality of a Giannis. He is beating the world with his mind, his hands, and a touch that is softer than a guard’s.
The Value of “Most Valuable”
The definition of “MVP” often shifts to suit the narrative of the season, but generally, it combines individual brilliance with team success. This is where the current disrespect toward Jokić becomes baffling.
The Denver Nuggets have been decimated by injuries this season. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon—Jokić’s primary support system—have been in and out of the lineup, leaving the Serbian center to orchestrate an offense composed largely of unproven talent and role players. Despite this, the Nuggets continue to rack up wins. In a recent victory against the Pacers, Jokić dragged a starting lineup featuring names like Peyton Watson and Christian Braun to a comfortable double-digit win. He is the ultimate floor raiser; he holds the entire franchise together with “duct tape and wizardry.”
Contrast this with the current Vegas favorite for MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. There is no denying Shai’s brilliance; he is a phenomenal scorer and a defensive menace. However, he is the captain of an Oklahoma City Thunder ship that is arguably the deepest, most well-constructed roster since the Kevin Durant-era Warriors. Shai has the luxury of elite spacing, defense, and secondary playmaking at every position. Jokić does not.
When you look at the advanced metrics, the gap widens. Jokić leads the league in Win Shares and holds a commanding lead in Plus-Minus, despite playing with inferior lineups. He is doing more with less, which is the literal definition of “value.” Yet, the oddsmakers and media pundits have him sitting in third place.
The Fear of the Fourth
So, why the hesitation? Why is a player playing the best basketball of his life being treated like an afterthought in the MVP race?
The uncomfortable truth likely lies in “voter fatigue” and historical gatekeeping. Jokić already has three MVP trophies. Giving him a fourth would elevate him into a sacred pantheon occupied only by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and LeBron James. It seems the collective media psyche is not ready to admit that the goofy, slow-footed center from Sombor belongs at the same table as Jordan and LeBron.
They built LeBron into that tier over two decades of dominance. They watched Jordan conquer the world globally. Jokić, with his understated demeanor and aversion to stardom, doesn’t fit the archetype of a “Mount Rushmore” figure. But the game isn’t played on marketing posters; it’s played on the hardwood. And on the hardwood, Jokić is leveling the playing field with legends we thought were untouchable.
A Wake-Up Call
The disrespect is palpable. We are watching a player who sees plays before they happen, who rebounds effortlessly, and who manipulates defenses like a grandmaster playing against novices. He is putting up numbers that would guarantee a unanimous MVP vote for any other player in any other year.
If the NBA media refuses to acknowledge this level of greatness because they are bored of voting for the same guy, or because they prefer the fresh narrative of a new face like Shai or Luka Dončić, they aren’t just robbing Jokić. They are robbing the history of the game.
Nikola Jokić is doing the impossible every single night. It’s about time we stopped taking it for granted and gave the man his flowers—before he decides to pack it up and go race his horses for good. The “Joker” isn’t joking; he’s conquering, and the silence from the voters is the only punchline that isn’t funny.
