It has never been too big of FOX analyst Nick Wright to spout off some absolutely egregious NBA take. He had another one Thursday afternoon regarding Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.
Wright gave his latest MVP ladder during the First Things First program, during which he claimed Jokic would be the worst MVP the league has had in 35 years:
“Historically speaking, he would be the worst MVP we've had in 35 years."
– Nick Wright on Nikola Jokic. 🤦🏽♂️
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 6, 2021
The argument has absolutely no basis in what Jokic has achieved this season. Rather, Wright made the statement because Jokic does not have the same stature as many other MVPs in league history.
Well, OK, let's check Mr. Wright for a second. No, Jokic isn't in the same stratosphere as a LeBron James or Stephen Curry in terms of gravitas and general star power. But that should not negate the things he had already accomplished prior to this season.
Jokic made back-to-back All-Star teams in 2019 and 2020. He was First-Team All-NBA during the 2018-19 season and Second-Team All-NBA last season. So, the Nuggets star clearly has the track record. He most certainly has the numbers.
The 26-year-old is averaging 26.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals per contest on 56.5 percent shooting from the field, including 40.5 percent from beyond the arc. He has played in all 66 games.
Then there are the intangibles. Jokic consistently displays exceptional court vision and three-level scoring ability. Not to mention, he's averaging close to a triple-double as a center! Indeed, what other big men have even come close to the kind of numbers Jokic is putting up this season?
Wright has his own take. Alternatively, the numbers and context suggest Jokic might be having an MVP season unlike anything the league has ever seen before.
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