Nikola Jokic has established himself as the NBA’s best center, but don’t look for him to repeat as the regular season’s most valuable player, according to a by NBA.com.
Jokic, 26, received 63% of the votes for the best center in the NBA for the second straight year, well ahead of Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (23%). However, for the MVP prediction, the Nuggets center didn’t garner any votes. Nets forward Kevin Durant (37%) was a slight favorite over Dallas’ Luka Doncic (33%).
Jokic also tied with Lakers forward LeBron James at 33% for the league’s best passer. He also received votes for the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments, the player who GMs would start a franchise around, the best international player, the best leader, who GMs would want to take a shot with the game on the line and the player with the best basketball IQ.
Denver forward Michael Porter Jr. finished third with 10% among players poised for a breakout season, behind Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. (17%) and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (13%). Porter was tied as the favorite in the category last year with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
As for the Nuggets, the team is ranked fourth in the Western Conference with 11% of the total ranked votes, behind the Lakers (34%), Jazz (26%) and Suns (19%). Denver is also tied for fifth for most fun team to watch (Nets are No. 1) and second for best home-court advantage (Jazz is No. 1).
Michael Malone received votes for coach who runs the best offense. Guard Facundo Campazzo also received votes for the league’s best passer.
