May 22, 2025 | By Hardwood Digest
The NBA has officially crowned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the 2024–25 Most Valuable Player, marking a new chapter in the league’s history. But while the spotlight now shines on Oklahoma City’s rising star, a quieter — perhaps more profound — storyline is unfolding in the shadows:
Is Nikola Jokić the greatest MVP runner-up the game has ever seen?
At a glance, that might sound like consolation talk. But dig deeper — into the numbers, the historical comparisons, and the sheer dominance of his 2024–25 campaign — and the conversation becomes not just valid, but vital.
The Best Version of Jokić Yet
Jokić entered the season with three MVP trophies already on his shelf. But by the time the regular season ended, many argued this was the best version of him yet — statistically, strategically, and impactfully.
•Career-high points per game
•Career-high assists per game
•Career-high steals per game
•40.2% from 3-point range — also a personal best
•League leader in Offensive Box Plus-Minus, Offensive Win Shares
•On-court/off-court split: The Nuggets were +19.8 points per 100 possessions better with Jokić on the floor — the biggest swing in the NBA.
With Jokić on the court, Denver had the best offense in NBA history. Without him? They would have ranked dead last this season.
This isn’t just MVP-caliber — this is NBA pantheon stuff.
The Voter Dilemma — And a Familiar Pattern
So, why didn’t he win?
The answer isn’t about performance — it’s about perception.
Voter fatigue has long been an undercurrent in MVP voting. It’s the silent opponent that nearly every generational player has faced. Michael Jordan lost four MVP races between 1988 and 1998, despite being the undisputed best player in the world. LeBron James, arguably the most complete player ever, had an MVP-worthy run from 2009 to 2013 but lost out to Derrick Rose in 2011, robbing him of a potential five-year streak.
In 2023, Joel Embiid beat Jokić in a race that hasn’t aged well statistically. Now, in 2025, Jokić has delivered a historic season — and still fell short.
It doesn’t take anything away from Gilgeous-Alexander’s incredible rise — 31.4 points per game, elite defense, and a Thunder team that’s ascended ahead of schedule. But it’s hard to ignore that Jokić’s campaign would have been a slam dunk MVP in almost any other year.
Greatness Without the Crown
Let’s strip away the politics, the narratives, and the ballots.
In a vacuum, you have:
•A top-15 all-time player
•Delivering a career-best statistical season
•Anchoring a team that completely collapsed without him
•While shooting the best efficiency of his career
If that résumé doesn’t win MVP, then we must confront the reality that the most valuable player isn’t always the one holding the trophy.
Legacy Beyond the MVPs
At just 30, Jokić’s legacy is already cemented — a blend of statistical dominance, basketball IQ, and unprecedented versatility for a 7-footer. He’s redefined what a center can be in the modern game, doing it with humility, humor, and an unshakable love for the game.
“This was probably my best season,” Jokić admitted in a postgame presser. “But I don’t play for awards. I play for my team.”
And yet, the awards matter. They become history’s shorthand for greatness. So while MVP voters look to variety, novelty, or narrative, basketball history should remember this season for what it was:
One of the greatest MVP runner-up performances of all time.
Final Thought
Nikola Jokić didn’t need this MVP to validate his greatness — but he might’ve deserved it more than any he’s already won.
And when the basketball books are written, 2024–25 will be remembered not just as the year SGA ascended — but as the year Jokić quietly delivered a masterclass that may go unmatched for a generation.
