The NBA announced on Tuesday that Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is the 2020-2021 MVP. Jokic was picked 41st overall in the 2014 NBA Draft and became the lowest draft pick in league history to win the prestigious award. It was a well-deserved recognition as Jokic carried the Nuggets throughout the season, averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. 

What’s inspiring about Jokic winning as MVP is that not everyone expected this to happen. In fact, during the 2014 NBA Draft, The Joker told ESPN's Rachel Nichols that he was asleep when he was selected. In reality, so many teams slept on Jokic.

It’s funny how things started from the fact that Jokic was selected during a Taco Bell commercial, which made sense at that time because it was the 41st overall pick, after all. Now, he’s the league MVP who finished in the top five in total points, rebounds, assists this season. Jokic is also the first MVP to play every single game in a season since Kobe Bryant in 2007-08.

How many players in the NBA were able to carry their team the way Jokic did this season? Coming off a shortened offseason, he managed to keep the Nuggets afloat in the Western Conference even without Jamal Murray in the latter part.

When a bunch of analysts and experts expected the Nuggets to fall and not make noise in the NBA Playoffs due to Murray’s absence, the big man from Serbia proved them wrong. He’s also carried the Nuggets to the second round. 

Looking back at Jokic’ draft class

In every draft class, there’s always going to be a player who's considered either a bust or the right pick. That happens every single year. Zooming into Jokic’s 2014 NBA Draft class, you’ll be blown away by who was chosen ahead of him.

The first 10 players selected were Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid (who finished second in this year’s MVP voting), Aaron Gordon, Dante Exum, Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, Nik Stauskas, Noah Vonleh, and Elfrid Payton. 

While the succeeding 10 players were Doug McDermott, Dario Saric, Zach Lavine, T.J. Warren, Adreian Payne, Jusuf Nurkic, James Young, Tyler Ennis, Garry Harris, and Bruno Caboclo. 

Most of the players chosen ahead of Nikola Jokic could be considered role players today. Jokic, meanwhile, is now the cornerstone of the Nuggets and the primary reason why they’re a top-tier contender every season.

 

The scary part? Jokic is only 26 years old. At a young age, he’s already mastered his offensive game. He’s grown to be an incredible passer, quality shooter, and playmaker. But he is just getting started (via NBA on TNT). 

“Out of luck, I can say, probably. A lot of people trusted me. A lot of people worked for me to get here and I put in some work too. It’s a little bit of everything. People trust me, working for me to get better. I think it’s just a combination of all together.” 

A lesson from Jokic’s MVP win

As a fan looking in, Jokic is a humble and hardworking guy. Of course, that’s always going to be seen from the outside, but there’s no denying how remarkable his story is. From being selected 41st overall to gradually finding his place in the NBA and now being the league’s top player—there’s something to learn from The Joker's story. 

That no matter how many times you’ve been counted out, that never should determine your potential or motivation to be the best. How many teams in the NBA today regret skipping on Jokic? Sure, they have their own valid reasons— it is after all the NBA Draft—but it was the Nuggets who put their bet on Jokic. And here they are, being rewarded with their first MVP in franchise history. 

 

International players making their mark

In the past three years, the MVP recipients have been international players. This is most certainly great for the NBA because it just shows that the league has become diverse. Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo won the previous two (as the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft) and this year, it was Jokic. Take note that another contender in Joel Embiid is an international player as well. 

Nikola Jokic winning this season’s MVP award is a feel-good story. His story is a reminder that no matter where you start, you can always dictate where you finish.  

“To be honest I didn’t even think I’d be in the NBA. My goal was to play in the Euroleague because that was the closest top league in my country. I can play for big clubs in Serbia and grind my way up. But the Denver Nuggets drafted me and that was the opportunity for me to become an NBA player. And I think I did a good job of using that continuously.”

Well said, Mr. MVP.