Nikola Jokic has secured the MVP for the third year in a row, though it took him an NBA Finals win to earn one.
Jokic was a unanimous choice after leading the Denver Nuggets to 2023, the first in franchise history. His ability to score, rebound and pass has put Jokic in rare company, but how does he compare to other recent Bill Russell Trophy winners? Was Jokic’s performance in the Finals the best we’ve seen in five years?
Here’s how Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and now Jokic stack up.
Final average 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.2 blocks, 43.4 percent shooting overall.
MVP voting results: 10/11 (Fred VanVliet)
NBA Finals: Toronto Raptors over Golden State Warriors, 4-2
Leonard’s stay in Toronto didn’t last long, but he certainly made the most of his time across the border.
Following a trade from the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard led the Raptors to the 2019 title against the Warriors juggernaut, winning three of the last four seasons. Golden State was without Finals MVP Kevin Durant in 2017 and 2018, with a calf injury and later a torn Achilles in Game 5.
Still, Leonard stepped up when Toronto needed it most, delivering the first title in franchise and Canadian basketball history.
Compared to the rest of the Finals MVPs on this list, however, Leonard falls a little short.
Like teammate Fred VanVleet, he is the only winner of the last five years without a win. They asked for one vote.. Leonard also has the lowest average and worst field goal percentage of the past five champions.
Raptors fans don’t care about Leonard coming here, as he is now an eternal legend in Toronto basketball history.
Final average 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.2 blocks, 48.2 percent shooting overall.
MVP voting results: 11/11 (together)
NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors over Boston Celtics, 4-2
It took six trips to the Finals and four wins for Curry to finally take home the Bill Russell Trophy, though sharing the floor with players like Kevin Durant and/or LeBron James (and, Andre Iguodala, of course) was possible at every previous stop. Do something with this.
Still, the sixth season was the charm for Curry, who put on some great performances night after night (save for Game 5) and was an easy pick for the voters.
By winning the Finals MVP and his fourth championship (along with two regular season MVPs), he puts Curry in special company with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and James as the only six in league history. It was truly the last piece of hardware lost to the future Hall of Famer.
As good as Curry has been, he only comes in fourth on this list.
His 48.2 field-goal percentage was second-lowest on this team behind only Kawhi Leonard, and Curry’s Game 5 (7-of-22 shooting, 0-9 from three) was forgettable.
Overall, this was an important win for Curry’s legacy, making his case as a top-10 player of all time.
Final average 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks, 59.1 percent shooting overall.
MVP voting results: 11/11 (together)
NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers Miami Heat 4-2
James, the oldest player on this list, was 35 years old and held the Finals MVP award at No. 4.
This was easily the most special title for James, whose Lakers won a record-setting 17th NBA title in the Walt Disney World bubble. With limited family members and virtual fans watching, it was a completely new experience for all involved, although James looked at home as he had been many times before.
Even with Anthony Davis by his side, James led the Lakers in points, rebounds and assists. He scored 40 points in Game 5 and triple-doubled in Game 6 to confirm the championship.
The title makes James the first player in NBA history to win Finals MVP with three different franchises, having previously won with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013 and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
James’ impact on every floor combined with his excellent shooting performance (59.1 percent overall, 41.7 percent from three) was enough to land him third on this list.
Final average 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.4 blocks, 58.3 percent shooting overall.
MVP voting results: 11/11 (together)
NBA Finals: Denver Nuggets beat Miami Heat, 4-1
Jokic put on one of the greatest postseason performances we’ve ever seen, cementing himself as the greatest NBA center of all time.
From his 41 points in Game 2 to his league-first 30-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist masterclass in Game 4, Jokic has been making an impact everywhere he goes. The 28-year-old is averaging 52.9 points, rebounds and rebounds per game in the playoffs Fourth – all the timeTrailing only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
Jokic can’t be identified by looking, but going up against Bam Adebayo and the Heat defense was no easy task. Jokic’s job in isolation was to play outside of Jamal Murray or to knock down the three.
While LeBron James leads the 2020 champion Los Angeles Lakers in points, rebounds and assists, Jokic still The first player in NBA history To lead all players in the post-season. His last MVP award as well Marked for the first time A player drafted outside the top-15 won both this and the regular MVP.
There shouldn’t be a player in the NBA that guys want to share the court with more than Jokic. He is the best player in the league right now playing an unselfish brand of basketball.
As good as Jokic is, he’s been one of the better players in the Finals over the last five years.
Final average 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks, 61.8 percent shooting overall.
MVP voting results: 11/11 (together)
NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns, 4-2
With all due respect to Nikola Jokic, Antetokounmpo’s 2021 Finals are still the best we’ve seen in the last five years.
No player in recent history has averaged more points than Antetokounmpo’s 35.2, nor has anyone scored more efficiently (61.8 percent overall). Mix in some elite rebounding, defense and passing, and what Antetokounmpo does in 2021 still doesn’t make sense, especially given his playoff status.
Antetokounmpo missed the final two games of the Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks with a hyperextended left knee, making his status in Game 1 in Phoenix questionable. Although Antetokounmpo was good in Game 1 (20 points, 17 rebounds, four assists), he turned into Godzilla after shaking off some rust.
The then-26-year-old had 40-point performances in Games 2 and 3 as the Bucks dug themselves out of an 0-2 hole. But it was his Game 6 that really broke the record books.
Antetokounmpo scored 50 points to lead the Bucks to the second most in franchise history, passing Bob Pettitte. Only players to do this In the finals. A player was only for the seventh time. Scored 50 and above In the Finals, Antetokounmpo joins a roster that includes Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Rick Barry and Pettitte.
No player in recorded history Until Antetokounmpo posted at least 50 points, 10 assists and five blocks in a playoff game.
Antetokounmpo’s 2021 finish, especially coming off a knee injury, is the best of the last five years.
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