That’s it, the results came in last night, and it was Nikola Jokic who was elected MVP of the 2023-24 NBA season, ahead of his two competitors Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The latter nevertheless had very solid arguments, but not enough to surpass the Joker. What was missing from their file to be elected MVP?
The details of the votes for the MVP trophy: pic.twitter.com/ugcYjCyiFt
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Why Luka Doncic wasn’t MVP
- Stats: 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 48.7% shooting, 38.2% 3-pointers
- Collective record: 50 victories – 32 defeats
Best NBA scorer, not far from the triple-double average, increasing efficiency figures, historic performances (73 points), and even progress in defense… In terms of individual production this season, Luka Doncic looks at Nikola Jokic right in the eyes. There aren’t many who can match the Joker statistically, but Doncic is one of them. So it is clearly not on this criterion that Luka lost points. On the other hand, when we compare the collective results, this is where the problem lies.
It’s quite ironic to say that knowing that the Mavericks have clearly gained momentum in recent weeks and that the Nuggets are at the bottom of their series against the Wolves, but the gap of seven regular wins obviously works against Doncic. Nikola Jokic once again took the Nuggets to the best record in the West (57 wins, tied with the Thunder), while Dallas (50 wins) finished in fifth place in the conference. Since 2000, only two players have been elected MVP without having finished on the podium of their conference with their respective team: Russell Westbrook (2017) and… Nikola Jokic (2022).
If the Mavs had evolved throughout the season at a level close to that which was theirs at the end of the regular season (record of 21-9 over the last 30 games, after the trade deadline), Luka Doncic would probably have finished with the trophy of MVP in hands. But injury concerns and Luka too often isolated complicated Dallas’ task during the first part of the season.
Doncic was simply starting too far…
Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t MVP
- Stats: 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2 steals, 53.3% shooting, 87.4% free throws
- Collective record: 57 victories – 25 defeats
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a second consecutive season averaging at least 30 points. He shot 53.5%, his career best. He finished as the best interceptor in the NBA (tied with De’Aaron Fox). He took one of the youngest teams in the League to the top of the formidable Western Conference (tied with Denver), with a jump of 17 victories compared to last year. He was decisive in big matches, notably against Denver, whom OKC beat three times in four games.
The arguments in favor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are numerous. So why did he finish behind Jokic?
In terms of raw stats, SGA has the advantage over Jokic in terms of average points scored but When it comes to all-around production, the Joker is a cut above with his 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9 assists on average (25 triple-doubles this season for Jokic, 0 for Shai). This small statistical gap is confirmed in terms of advanced stats, which Nikola Jokic has dominated for years: offensive win shares, win shares, win shares over 48 minutes, offensive box +/-, defensive box +/-, box +/-, value over replacement player, the Joker is first in all these categories. If Shai shines with his efficiency and often finds himself not far behind Jokic, the Serbian monster remains the darling of advanced stats.
What Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may also have lacked are more performances that truly leave an impression. The silent killer of the Thunder has been exceptionally consistent throughout the season, with 51 games with at least 30 points scored. But at the same time, he has never climbed above the 43 pawns mark in a match. Yes, the race for MVP is above all a race of endurance, but it is also a race where you have to know how to put on the gas at the right time to impress the voters even more. With one or two 50-point performances, a few triple-doubles here and there, perhaps SGA could have swung a few votes in its favor.
Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both had MVP records, but they simply ran into Nikola Jokic once again having a historic season. Will have to come back next year!
