Introduction
Each week during the 2024-25 NBA season, we delve into the league’s biggest storylines to determine whether trends are based in fact or fiction. This week, we focus on Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, who is on pace to have the best statistical season of his career and potentially the greatest in NBA history. Jokić, a three-time MVP over the past four years, is on track to become the first center to average a triple-double. This season, he is not only leading his team but also making a strong case for an unprecedented fourth MVP award.
The MVP Race: Jokić vs. Gilgeous-Alexander
While Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the primary competition for Jokić, the statistical case for Jokić is overwhelming. Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in scoring with 32.6 points per game but does so with less efficiency. Jokić, on the other hand, is scoring at a slightly lower rate but with higher efficiency and significantly more assists and rebounds. Jokić’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 33.4 is the highest in NBA history, outpacing Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31.2, which is the 15th-best in league history. Despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive performance, Jokić’s all-around dominance makes him the clear frontrunner for the MVP award.
Comparing Jokić to the Greats
To truly assess Jokić’s 2024-25 season, we compare it to some of the greatest statistical campaigns in NBA history. We selected six legendary seasons: Wilt Chamberlain’s 1961-62, Michael Jordan’s 1987-88, LeBron James’ 2008-09, Stephen Curry’s 2015-16, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2021-22, and Joel Embiid’s 2022-23. These seasons represent the pinnacle of individual performance across different eras and positional groups.
Jokić vs. Recent Greats: Embiid and Antetokounmpo
Compared to Joel Embiid’s 2022-23 MVP season, Jokić’s 2024-25 campaign is superior in nearly every statistical category. Jokić is scoring more efficiently, averaging more rebounds, assists, and steals. His 29.8 points and 10.3 assists result in 53.7 points per game, a significant improvement over Embiid’s 43.7 points per game. Against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2021-22 MVP season, Jokić again comes out on top. Despite similar scoring and rebounding numbers, Jokić’s assist total is substantially higher, and he is leading the league in PER and win shares per 48 minutes.
Jokić vs. Modern Legends: Curry and James
Stephen Curry’s 2015-16 season, which saw him win the MVP unanimously, is often cited as one of the greatest long-distance shooting seasons in NBA history. However, Jokić’s 2024-25 season is equally efficient in scoring and more dominant in other statistical categories. Jokić’s assist and rebound totals are significantly higher, and he has already amassed more win shares per 48 minutes at the All-Star break than Curry did in his MVP campaign. When compared to LeBron James’ 2008-09 MVP season, Jokić’s 2024-25 campaign is better in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Jokić’s efficiency and all-around impact make his season a clear standout.
Jokić vs. All-Time Greats: Jordan and Chamberlain
Michael Jordan’s 1987-88 season, where he won both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, is often considered the gold standard for guards. However, Jokić’s 2024-25 season is more comprehensive, with nearly double the rebounds and assists and a significant edge in efficiency. Even if Jordan’s steals and blocks were overinflated, Jokić’s average finish across the four statistical categories (18th) is better than Jordan’s (30th). Finally, Wilt Chamberlain’s 1961-62 season, where he averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds, is a monumental achievement. However, Jokić’s efficiency and modern context make his season more impressive. If Jokić took as many shots as Chamberlain, he would average 61.4 points per game, and his 53.7 points per game yield is a higher percentage of his team’s scoring than Chamberlain’s.
Conclusion
After a thorough comparison, it is clear that Nikola Jokić is enjoying the greatest statistical regular season in NBA history. His efficiency, all-around impact, and dominance in advanced metrics set him apart from even the most legendary players in the game. This season, Jokić is not just a candidate for the MVP award; he is making history.
