By Spencer Agee | April 12, 2023
The race for the 2023 NBA MVP has been a rollercoaster all season long, with different players moving up and down the list throughout the year. However, there are three players that have a strong case to be made for this year’s MVP. Those three players being Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid.
As we have come to the end of the regular season, it’s time for me to give my take on who should win MVP. I believe that Jokic deserves to win MVP this year for the third year in a row, and while I didn’t believe that earlier this season, Jokic’s end of the season numbers and impact on his team down the stretch have convinced me. Jokic averaged 24.5 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game and has a league-high 29 triple-doubles, while having zero All-Star teammates to assist him. Jokic also had an NBA record 44-games in a row with 10+ points on at least 50% shooting. When Jokic plays he raises his team unlike any other player, the Nuggets outscore opponents by 12.8 points per 100 possessions with Jokic on the court, which is the highest number in the league. Denver has also outscored its opponents by at least 10 points in 41 games with Jokic on the floor.
The simple fact is when Jokic plays, he wins. The Denver Nuggets have been in first place in the West since December 20th and without Jokic the Nuggets would be a completely different team. While there is no wrong answer for MVP between Jokic, Giannis, and Embiid, I believe Jokic deserves it again this year as he and the Nuggets fight for their first NBA Finals appearance.
Spencer Agee is a Senior Radio TV Film Major at UW Oshkosh
