Fourth MVP Award Slips Away, But Nikola Jokić Still Holds the Title of “MVP of the Decade.”

In a league overflowing with legends and elite superstars, Nikola Jokić continues to rewrite what it means to be valuable. Despite narrowly missing out on a fourth MVP title in 2025, the Serbian center has already etched his name into NBA history with a body of work that goes far beyond accolades. In fact, the numbers prove what many analysts, fans, and former players have already concluded: Jokić is the “MVP of the Decade.”

What makes that case so compelling is not just his three MVP trophies—but how he earned them, and more importantly, who he earned them without.

No All-NBA, No All-Star Help for a Decade

When we talk about most NBA MVPs, we often think of the context surrounding their greatness—superteams, Hall of Fame teammates, or all-world defenders by their side. But in Nikola Jokić’s first 10 NBA seasons, he achieved historic excellence without a single teammate making an All-NBA, All-Defense, or even All-Star team.

Let that sink in.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh, among the 25 different MVPs awarded over the last 42 years, not one player had fewer than four qualifying teammates during their MVP-level campaigns. Jokić? Zero.

Even Michael Jordan had 12 teammates hit All-NBA, All-Defense, or All-Star status. The same goes for LeBron James. And legends like Magic Johnson (35), Larry Bird (32), and Stephen Curry (27) had a revolving door of elite support.

Jokić: A True One-Man Dynasty

In today’s era of “Big Threes” and superstar duos, Jokić has carried the Denver Nuggets largely by himself. Yes, players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon have been pivotal in certain playoff series, but they have yet to receive the league-wide recognition that most MVPs’ co-stars earn.

To put it simply: no other MVP has done more with less.

This remarkable feat further amplifies the brilliance of Jokić’s basketball IQ, efficiency, and unselfish playstyle. His ability to elevate his team—without another All-Star-caliber player by his side—is nothing short of unprecedented.

The Numbers Back It All Up

Let’s take a deeper look at how dominant Nikola Jokić’s numbers have been during this All-Star-deprived era:

• Career Averages (First 10 Seasons): 21.8 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.2 SPG

• Three-Time MVP (2021, 2022, 2024)

• NBA Champion (2023) and Finals MVP

• Multiple seasons leading the NBA in advanced metrics like PER, Win Shares, Box Plus/Minus, and VORP

• Recorded the first ever 30-20-10 triple-double in playoff history

And yet, he’s done all of this while never sharing the court with an All-NBA or All-Defensive teammate.

It’s a level of excellence comparable only to all-time greats—but done under the most challenging circumstances.

What This Means for the Nuggets

Despite being one of the most successful franchises in recent years, the Denver Nuggets organization has failed to surround their MVP with proper talent recognition. Whether it’s due to market size, player development, or simply bad luck with injuries, Jokić’s supporting cast hasn’t gotten the nod from voters when it comes to individual honors.

This lack of help didn’t stop Jokić from leading the Nuggets to:

• Consistent playoff appearances

• A Western Conference crown in 2023

• An NBA title without a second superstar

• The NBA’s best offensive rating with him on the floor

While Jamal Murray has had flashes of brilliance—especially in the 2020 and 2023 playoffs—he’s never been selected as an All-Star, All-NBA, or All-Defense player. That fact alone speaks volumes about how much Jokić has had to carry the franchise.

MVP Fatigue and Why Jokić Still Stands Alone

Nikola Jokić missing out on a fourth MVP has more to do with narrative and voter fatigue than performance. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this year’s MVP, had an incredible season, and his award is well-earned. But even his resume includes elite teammates like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, both of whom are rapidly ascending into All-NBA conversations.

Jokić’s consistency, on the other hand, has almost become boring to some voters. He makes triple-doubles look routine. His 25-12-10 nights hardly make headlines anymore. But if anything, that mundane greatness is what defines the MVP of the Decade.

In the same vein as Tim Duncan, Jokić dominates through fundamentals, vision, footwork, and intelligence—not flashy dunks or viral highlight reels. It’s a rare form of dominance that’s easy to overlook, but impossible to replace.

Comparing MVP Support Across Eras

To further highlight how unique Jokić’s situation is, here’s a snapshot of MVPs and the number of qualifying teammates they had during their prime:

This table, based on Haberstroh’s research, drives home just how much Jokić is blazing his own trail. He doesn’t just deserve MVPs—he deserves more recognition for making the most out of the least.

Legacy Cemented, MVP or Not

It’s time to acknowledge that Nikola Jokić’s legacy is already cemented, with or without the fourth MVP.

He has:

• Changed how the center position is played

• Set new standards for passing and playmaking from the post

• Achieved efficiency never before seen in a big man

• Brought home a championship without another All-NBA-caliber player

In many ways, he is the closest thing to a “modern-day Larry Bird”, blending unorthodox finesse with cold-blooded effectiveness. And just like Bird, his value transcends the stat sheet.

The Case for “MVP of the Decade”

So, why does the title “MVP of the Decade” matter?

Because MVPs are context-sensitive awards, but “MVP of the Decade” rewards consistency, longevity, and team impact over time.

• Jokić is the only player with 3 MVPs, 1 championship, and 5 top-3 finishes in MVP voting over the last 10 years.

• No other player has carried as much usage and workload without elite help.

• No one else has combined dominant stats with elite winning impact in such a sustainable way.

This isn’t about just one season. It’s about 10 years of sustained brilliance—and it’s time Nikola Jokić gets his due.

Final Thoughts: Jokić’s Greatness Is Unmatched

Nikola Jokić may not have won MVP in 2025, but he’s won something far more important: the respect of basketball purists, the admiration of analysts, and the unofficial crown as the most valuable player of the decade.

He has dominated an era with no All-Stars, few accolades for his teammates, and little external hype. Yet here he is—consistently dominant, refreshingly humble, and undeniably historic.

The MVP trophies are nice. The championship banners are forever. But Jokić’s legacy? That’s the stuff of basketball immortality.