With the Denver Nuggets sitting at the top of the Western Conference boasting a 30-13 record, many NBA experts believe that their franchise player, Nikola Jokić, is on course to win a third-straight Most Valuable Player award.
This was the topic of conversation during FanDuel’s latest episode of ‘Run It Back’, and former NBA veteran Chandler Parsons believes Jokić is separating himself from the rest of the contenders for the award.
He said: “When you watch Jokić (the other night), he took just 11 shots. He went 8-11 because he’s so efficient. We have really never seen a big play like this. His vision is unbelievable.
“Before the beginning of the season I was finding every excuse to be like ‘no way can I give this guy a third MVP. ‘Give it to Luka (Dončić) or to Jayson Tatum who is having a great year on the best team’. But I can’t, this guy is unbelievable.”
The 7ft Serbian would have achieved something truly historic if he were to add the 2023 MVP award to his 2021 and 2022 trophies, becoming the first player since Larry Bird to win three consecutive MVP trophies when Bird achieved it in 1984, 85, and 86.
Jokić is currently the fourth favourite to win this season’s MVP award at +500, behind Luka Dončić (+280), Giannis Antetokounmpo (+350), and Jayson Tatum (+420).
Despite his unfavourable odds, Eddie Gonzalez believes the award is “his (Jokić’s) to lose” halfway through the season.
