The selection of Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets as this season’s MVP is cause for celebration.
Jokic surely earned the honors again this year after averaging 19.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.
Yet, he and his team still got pushed out of the playoffs in the first round.
But that’s not that surprising: many former MVPs haven’t had much postseason luck.
Only 3 of the last 19 MVPs have won a championship in the same season.
LeBron in 2012
LeBron in 2013
Steph in 2015 pic.twitter.com/j7b8a0j0tI— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 9, 2022
StatMuse reminded fans that only 3 of the last 19 MVPs have won a championship in the same season they also earned their Most Valuable Player trophies.
Those 3 MVPs were Stephen Curry in 2016 and LeBron James twice in both 2012 and 2013.
In other words, winning MVP isn’t a guarantee of making it to – and winning – the Finals.
Better Luck Next Year, Joker
Few people are surprised about Jokic not making it far in the playoffs.
His Nuggets had been struggling all season long, even with his monster skills and point output.
It’s important to note that two of the stars for the Nuggets – Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr – have been injured for ages now.
Without those two, the Nuggets had to rely a lot more on other players and their roster has looked decidedly thin at times.
Jokic did what he could but even he couldn’t carry the team all the way.
However, if Jokic was out, the fate of the Nuggets would have been much, much worse.
He is a huge difference-maker for the team and easily their most valuable player.
There is a chance that things could get a lot better for Denver next season, which should see the return of both Murray and Porter.
The idea of Murray, Porter, and two-time MVP Jokic together again sounds like music to the ears of all Nuggets fans.
NEXT: Nikola Jokic Has Come A Long Way Since His Hilarious Draft Moment