The NBA’s MVP debate is one of the most well-discussed topics in sports media. But do you know who seems to care the least about who wins?
The answer is Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, the superstar who has taken home the hardware two years in a row. Jokic, widely considered the favorite for much of the season, is no longer the likely winner after a recent losing streak that illuminated his defensive shortcomings.
Based on what we know about him, however, the losing streak is likely far more frustrating than losing out on the trophy to Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.
Denver has underperformed in the playoffs, and if he is able to turn that around this postseason, that would mean a whole lot more to him than the votes to join Larry Bird as the only back-to-back-to-back MVP winner.
How do we know this? Well, time and time again, he has said it himself.
1
"I didn't come here to want to be MVP." (2021)
Even before Jokic won the award for the first time, he seemed very nonchalant about the whole thing (via ESPN):
“I never think about [the MVP] to be honest … I didn’t come here to want to be MVP of the league. I always think someone is better than me. I want to compete to beat him. Just by that mentality, I’m going to be underdog always.”
This isn’t just an example of someone who already has two trophies and doesn’t need a third.
Here is what he said before he was ever given the award (via KDVR):
“I never play basketball to win individual awards,” Jokic said. “So MVP is just something that the people and media are trying to make a story out of it. So, if it happens, it happens. I don’t play for that. Like I said, as long as we’re winning I’m happy.”
His attitude on the subject has remained consistent for several years.
2
"It doesn't mean anything special." (2022)
Nikola Jokic, asked what another MVP run would mean to his legacy, just shrugs:
“I don’t know. It doesn’t mean anything special. I’m just trying to compete, to win games.”
— Mike Singer (@msinger) March 8, 2022
When asked what another MVP would do for his legacy, Jokic said he didn’t know.
He believed that it “doesn’t mean anything special” because he is just trying to win games. Similarly, he told Sports Illustrated that he never dreamed of being an MVP.
Before winning the award for the second year in a row, all he could say was: “If it happens, yeah, great.” Do you know how we know he wasn’t just trying to sound too cool for school?
Jokic said that he didn’t even know where his first MVP trophy was.
3
Does he like when fans chant MVP when he takes free throws? "No, I always miss." (2022)
I asked Nikola Jokic the most pressing question I could think of postgame.
"Do you like when fans chant 'M-V-P' when you're at the free throw line?"
His answer: "No, I always miss."
I followed up asking if he wants them to stop.
"I cannot control that."— Vinny Benedetto (@VBenedetto) December 11, 2022
Jokic doesn’t even like when the crowd chants “MVP!” when he is at the free-throw line. He wouldn’t tell them to stop, but he does think it usually leads to him missing.
4
"I really can't do it again." (2023)
During an interview with Arena Sport TV, speaking in Serbian, the Nuggets star was told that Larry Bird is the only player to win three times in a row.
“Let him be,” said the big man. “Let him have it. Let him enjoy it.”
The star added that while this award may mean more to him when his career is over, he doesn’t feel particularly excited about it right now. He speculates this is because he “never chased” and “never wanted” it.
Jokic said this wasn’t his wish, his goal or why he plays the game.
“I really don’t need to … I really can’t do it again,” Jokic griped. “When it begins and they put me in the narrative again: ‘Oh, he hasn’t played well. Oh, now he’s great.'”
The big man is clearly exhausted by the debate and wants it to end.
5
"[The MVP debate] really turned a lot of people off, including him." (2023)
"Celebrate them!"
Michael Malone on MVP talk:
"This year has taken an ugly, nasty turn in the MVP conversation. And I think it's turned a lot of people off, including [Nikola Jokic]…
It's not promoting my guy, it's tearing down every other guy. And that's just ridiculous." pic.twitter.com/1dx6PUORNQ
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) March 23, 2023
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone recently spoke about Jokic’s candidacy to win the award for the third year in a row.
His comments about the big man were illuminating (via HoopsHype):
“I think this year unfortunately has just taken a really ugly, nasty turn in the MVP conversation, and I think it’s really turned a lot of people off, including him.”
Malone added that Jokic is “embarrassed by the attention” that comes with these debates. That makes sense!
Jokic doesn’t want to be the center of attention, he just wants to hoop.
