Nikola Jokić isn’t just having a great season — he’s quietly rewriting what it means to be a modern big man, and that’s exactly why this MVP race might be more controversial than people realize.
Nikola Jokić remains firmly at the top of the Kia MVP Ladder, and his production has reached a point where historic stat lines almost feel normal to fans and media alike. Night after night, he piles up points, rebounds, and assists so consistently that a triple-double from him no longer feels like an event — it feels like a routine workday. And this is the part most people miss: that sense of “normal” around his numbers is precisely what makes his run so extraordinary.
Jokić has already stacked up 174 career triple-doubles and is on pace to pass Oscar Robertson’s 181 this season, which would move him into second place all time behind Russell Westbrook. That means one of the most cherished all-around marks in NBA history is about to belong to a 7-foot center, not a point guard. With Westbrook’s 205 looking more reachable as Westbrook nears the end of his career, Jokić, at just 30 years old, seems destined to finish as the all-time triple-double king. It raises a bold question: are fans appreciating this in real time, or will they only grasp the magnitude once the records are broken and retired?
The triple-double used to be a rare statistical earthquake, something that would dominate headlines when anyone not named Oscar or Westbrook pulled one off. For most players, getting double digits in three categories is a career highlight; for Jokić, it’s almost business as usual. His ability to impact the game as a scorer, rebounder, and playmaker has shifted expectations to the point where a night with “only” a double-double might feel underwhelming. But here’s where it gets controversial: has his brilliance been normalized to the point that people are actually undervaluing his MVP case because they’re too used to these numbers?
What makes Jokić’s triple-doubles truly unprecedented is that they are coming from the center position, where historically big men focused mainly on scoring inside and rebounding. Until Jokić, centers weren’t expected to quarterback the offense or lead teams in assists. His elite passing unlocks those triple-doubles and separates him from other bigs who routinely post double-doubles but rarely flirt with double-digit assists. That unique playmaking, combined with his scoring and rebounding, is the foundation for his three Kia MVP awards and two runner-up finishes over the last five seasons — all while this season is statistically the strongest start of his career. And this is the part most people miss: the standard he’s set at center has fundamentally changed how teams think about the position.
It’s also worth remembering that certain stats weren’t tracked in the early days of the league, which adds fuel to some nostalgic debates. Blocks didn’t become an official stat until the 1973-74 season, and many historians point out that Wilt Chamberlain, known for massive scoring and rebounding numbers, was also a prolific shot-blocker. Given his dominance, it’s reasonable to imagine that Wilt posted his share of triple-doubles that included blocks, even if they’re lost to history. He even led the league in total assists one season back when leaders were measured by totals rather than per-game averages, which meant he didn’t average a triple-double despite his playmaking impact. That historical wrinkle gives old-school fans some ammunition when they argue about who really “owned” the triple-double before modern stat tracking.
Even with that context, what Jokić is doing in the current era should not be taken for granted, especially when looking at the MVP conversation. On the Kia MVP Ladder, he remains locked in at No. 1, a reflection of both his raw numbers and his all-around influence on winning. Only Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook have ever made triple-doubles look this effortless, and Westbrook did win an MVP before voters became somewhat desensitized to his nightly statistical explosions. If triple-doubles were truly easy, there would be dozens of players delivering them on a regular basis — but there aren’t. So the uncomfortable question is this: have voters subconsciously penalized both Westbrook and Jokić for making the impossible look routine?
This season, Jokić’s production has hit another level. He already has 10 triple-doubles in just 17 games, all while shooting an ultra-efficient 62% from the field. For perspective, in his third NBA season he totaled 10 triple-doubles for the entire year, and in his second MVP season (2021-22) he finished with 19. He’s more than halfway to that mark before December, with only Thanksgiving week in the rearview. If this pace holds, he could put up one of the most outrageously balanced statistical seasons the league has ever seen from any position.
While Jokić dominates the MVP conversation for big men, the league may be witnessing a changing of the guard at the point guard position as well. Stephen Curry has long been viewed as the point guard of his era, completely transforming the game through his command of the 3-point shot, becoming the first unanimous MVP, winning multiple championships, and reaching a level of cultural recognition where even non-basketball fans know him on a first-name basis. His influence stretched far beyond the box score; kids worldwide reworked their games to emulate his deep-range shooting.
But perhaps a transition is underway, because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making a serious bid to take over that mantle. He’s doing for the mid-range and inside-the-arc scoring what Curry did for the 3-pointer, carving defenses apart with poised, deliberate shot-making. Gilgeous-Alexander already has an MVP and a championship to his name and looks poised to collect more of both if the trajectory holds. Their upcoming matchup — Oklahoma City visiting Golden State — has all the makings of a symbolic showdown between eras: the established icon of perimeter shooting against the rising master of the mid-range.
The league is also full of under-the-radar milestones and stat quirks that show how special this season’s stars are. In Philadelphia 76ers history, only two players have ever recorded a game with at least 50 points and nine assists. The newest member of that tiny club is Tyrese Maxey, who currently sits at No. 8 on the MVP Ladder. The other player to hit that benchmark? None other than Wilt Chamberlain. For a young guard like Maxey to share any sort of unique scoring-and-playmaking line with Wilt hints at the kind of ceiling he might be approaching.
Not everyone is shy about putting Jokić’s greatness into bold terms, either. Former NBA coach and current TV analyst Stan Van Gundy went as far as to say that Jokić “might be the best player in the history of the NBA.” That kind of statement is bound to spark heated arguments among fans who swear by Jordan, LeBron, Kareem, or others. But it shows how, for at least some observers, Jokić’s combination of efficiency, versatility, and team impact has pushed him into that all-time conversation.
- Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, 11.1 assists
Jokić’s MVP résumé this season isn’t just about stats; it’s also about his remarkable durability and reliability. Unlike several other names on the Ladder, he has not missed a game, continuing his long track record of being available almost every night. In his entire career, he’s dipped below 70 games played in a season only once, when he appeared in 69 contests in 2022-23. That consistency is a massive advantage in an award race that now heavily factors in games played.
He also openly prefers not to sit — he likes to stay on the floor, keep his rhythm, and maintain his feel for the game rather than resting just for the sake of load management. Historically, whenever he has been on the bench or unavailable, the Nuggets have tended to struggle, which underlines just how central he is to their success. While Denver has improved its supporting cast and depth in recent seasons, the team’s fortunes still rise and fall sharply with his presence. If value is defined as “how much worse is your team without you,” Jokić checks that box loudly.
Defensively, he occasionally takes criticism, often from those searching for weak points in an otherwise dominant profile. Some argue he’s not a traditional rim-protecting anchor, but that critique can be nit-picky when looking at the full picture. He currently ranks 18th in the league in steals per game at 1.6, which is a strong mark for a center and reflects his quick hands and anticipation in passing lanes. Last season, he finished among the leaders in points, rebounds, assists, and steals, and he’s on track to repeat that remarkable across-the-board impact again this year. So here’s the controversial angle: is his defense actually a liability, or is that label outdated given how much he contributes in other defensive areas?
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 32.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists
Gilgeous-Alexander’s case for MVP is built on dominance within the flow of games and ruthless efficiency. He often puts opponents away so early that by halftime — and almost certainly by the third quarter — the outcome feels secure, allowing him to rest down the stretch. His scoring output, shot selection, and shooting percentages all strengthen his candidacy, and his ball security is a huge bonus, as he averages fewer than two turnovers per game despite a heavy offensive workload.
He’s also been carrying an extra burden while the Thunder continue to operate without All-NBA teammate Jalen Williams, who is expected to make his season debut soon. During this stretch, Gilgeous-Alexander has been the undeniable focal point of Oklahoma City’s offense, orchestrating everything and dictating the pace. Once Williams returns, it will be fascinating to see how much SGA adjusts his usage and whether sharing more responsibilities — combined with his frequent fourth-quarter rest — slightly dampens his raw numbers. With the MVP race so crowded, those subtle shifts could influence his position on the Ladder, even if the Thunder continue to rack up wins.
- Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 35.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists
Dončić is fresh off one of the standout individual games of the season: an ultra-efficient performance featuring 43 points and a near triple-double against the Clippers. In that outing, he put on a full display of his offensive arsenal — step-backs, drives, passing wizardry, and control of tempo — and reminded everyone why he’s a perennial MVP threat. Beyond the box score, his comfort level with the Lakers, his role, and his new surroundings in Los Angeles looks higher than ever, which matters for long-term performance and leadership.
One of the most eye-catching notes about his season is how quickly he has climbed into the Lakers’ record books for 40-point games. He already sits in the franchise’s top 10 for such performances, despite only recently joining the team. Even more striking, he currently has more 40-point games this season than any other player in the league. That scoring explosion, coupled with his near triple-double averages, keeps him firmly in the thick of the MVP conversation, and some might argue he deserves more first-place love than he’s getting.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists
Before his recent injury, Antetokounmpo looked like a strong candidate to lead the MVP Ladder, powering the Bucks on both ends of the floor with relentless drives, ferocious defense, and efficient scoring. He has been among the league’s most productive scorers, hitting 63.6% of his shots from the field and an impressive 50% from beyond the arc, while also remaining one of its best rebounders. At his best, he still plays like a one-man wrecking crew who can elevate Milwaukee into contention every night.
However, availability is now a crucial part of award criteria, and his adductor injury has forced him to miss six of Milwaukee’s first 19 games. As he ramps up his return, the timing matters not only for the Bucks’ place in the Eastern Conference but also for his MVP hopes. The team has started to slip without him, which ironically highlights his value — the most honest measure of a star’s importance might be how dramatically a team regresses in his absence. So here’s a question to consider: should the MVP go to the best player when healthy, or the star who dominates while also suiting up the most?
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 28.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.3 assists
Cunningham’s season has been defined by both clutch brilliance and a few painful “what if” moments. In a recent matchup against the Celtics, he missed a key free throw that contributed to Detroit’s loss and snapped their 13-game winning streak — a moment any competitor would love to replay. Yet that same game illustrated how vital he is to the Pistons’ surge: he finished with 42 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, once again putting his team in a position to beat one of the league’s top contenders.
Looking at the bigger picture, Cunningham’s November run has been outstanding. He has averaged 31.1 points, 9.9 assists, and 6.4 rebounds during the month, while Detroit has gone 9-1 in games he’s played. Those numbers, paired with the team’s turnaround, make his spot in the top five of the MVP Ladder more than justified. If the Pistons continue to win at this level and he maintains similar production, the conversation could shift from “nice surprise” to “legitimate MVP threat” much sooner than expected.
The next 5 on the Ladder show just how deep the MVP pool is this season:
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets
- Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Each of these players brings a distinct storyline. Wembanyama represents the future of the league as a towering, versatile phenom redefining what a big can do on both ends. Mitchell continues to be a primary scoring engine for Cleveland, often carrying the offense in big moments. Maxey is emerging as a star-level guard in Philadelphia, balancing aggressive scoring with playmaking. Şengün has become a hub of offense in Houston, drawing comparisons to past playmaking bigs with his vision and footwork. Johnson is breaking through in Atlanta as a versatile forward capable of contributing across multiple categories.
And then there’s another group of stars just outside the top 10, listed alphabetically but very much in the mix:
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors
- Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
This cluster underscores how unforgiving the MVP race is; a small dip in performance or team record can be enough to push a superstar out of the top tier. Brunson continues to be the Knicks’ offensive heartbeat. Curry remains a constant threat to explode from deep on any given night. Edwards is growing into the face of the Timberwolves’ franchise, pairing swagger with production. Ingram provides steady scoring and playmaking for Toronto. Reaves has carved out a bigger role in Los Angeles, contributing as a secondary creator and shot-maker around star teammates.
The piece also notes that longtime NBA writer Shaun Powell has been covering the league since 1985, bringing decades of insight and historical perspective to this evolving MVP story. His experience allows him to place current performances in context with past eras, which is crucial when comparing players like Jokić, Wilt, Oscar, and Westbrook.
So now it’s your turn: Is Nikola Jokić already the best player in the world — or even, as some suggest, the best in NBA history — or is that going too far? Should triple-doubles and all-around numbers matter more than rings and highlight-reel moments when talking MVP and legacy? And which side are you on in the emerging guard narrative: the era of Curry’s 3-point revolution or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mid-range takeover? Share where you agree, where you disagree, and who you would put at No. 1 on your own MVP ladder — this is exactly the kind of debate that keeps the NBA conversation alive.
