It finally happened. After months of speculation and the dwindling chances of others to win, Nikola Jokic is the MVP 2021. The Nuggets are currently in the middle of the series against the Phoenix Suns and the timing for the award couldn’t have been better. This might certainly add to the confidence of Denver’s big man.

The Serbian has become only the third European ever to accomplish this glory in the league. Before him, only Dirk Nowitzki (German Maverick) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greek Buck) had won the accolade. He is also just the fifth foreign player to win MVP and has now made it to a list that includes Hakeem Olajuwon and Steve Nash.

Twitter showered praise on the Denver Nuggets icon

With his MVP victory, Nikola Jokic has set many other records. He became the only Nugget to receive this individual recognition and also the lowest-drafted (#41) player to clinch it. 

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Nikola won this award not just because of his incredible numbers, but also because of how he lifted his team. With no Jamal Murray around, the Nuggets finished at #3, even ahead of the Clippers and that was a huge deal. So it was more or less obvious that the Serb would take the highest individual honor. Unsurprisingly, Twitter went bonkers with the news and the respect started pouring in for the 26-YO.

Notably, the first-place votes entirely went with Nikola (91), and the others were far behind with Steph Curry (5), Chris Paul (2), Joel Embiid (1), and Derrick Rose (1) bringing up the rear.

Looking at the Brilliant Strategy Used by Phoenix Suns to Stop Nikola Jokic and Nuggets in Game 1

What made Nikola Jokic the most deserving of all?

For one, the narrative that Jokic never cared about winning individual recognition was not just a narrative. The man walked the talk when he always showed up for his team, playing all 72 games in the regular season and leading from the front. His averages of 26.4 points, 10.8 rebs, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals at 38.8% three-point shooting further took him above everyone else.

Also, his story is that of a Hollywood hero, who first faced all the hardships and later brought himself and his people into the limelight. He was one of the least athletic players when he stepped onto the court for the first time, and it is no wonder it took him three entire seasons to become a regular starter for the Nuggets. However, since then, he has shaped into the greatest playmaker in the league and someone who can single-handedly turn the fate of any game. 

So many might still argue that the award belonged to the likes of Steph Curry or Joel Embiid, or that Joker won only because the others remain injured. But that is how awards are won, when someone beats every odd and comes out victorious. 

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