One of the most compelling NBA MVP races in recent memory is coming down to the wire, with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder’s breakout sensation Shai Gilgeous-Alexander battling for the league’s top individual honor.
NBA insider Bill Simmons has weighed in—casting his vote for Jokic. On The Bill Simmons Podcast, he cited the Nuggets star’s statistical dominance, particularly his near triple-double average, as the deciding factor.
“I voted for Jokic. I thought it was the best offensive season I’ve seen since Jordan—what he did game after game, quarter after quarter,” Simmons said. “All the stuff he did for that team… To be top three in points, rebounds, and assists is bonkers. I just can’t believe it. And it’s not like he was padding stats like Westbrook did in 2017.”
Simmons’ argument holds weight. Jokic has continued to evolve into a historically dominant player, with his numbers steadily improving year after year. If he doesn’t win MVP this season despite averaging a triple-double, it would mark the first time in NBA history a player with such production doesn’t receive the award.
Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander-of-the-Oklahoma-City-Thunder
Why Simmons chose Jokic
Simmons admits the choice wasn’t easy, but a particular performance tipped the scale—a rare 60-point triple-double that solidified Jokic’s place in NBA history.
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“I was leaning there, leaning there, and then that 60-10-10 game—I was just like, ‘This is it,’” Simmons said. “We may never see anything like this again. I just had to pick him.”
Denver closed the regular season with a 50-32 record, fourth in the Western Conference, while Oklahoma City topped the league at 68-14. But for Simmons, the win-loss column didn’t tell the full story.
Simmons on the MVP Narrative
The Ringer founder also addressed Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable season, acknowledging SGA’s historic guard play while pointing to Jokic’s impact with a less dynamic supporting cast.
“The problem with the SGA candidacy—and he’s been amazing, we’ve talked about it—he’s having one of the best offensive seasons ever for a guard,” Simmons said. “But if you gave Jokic the roster SGA has from two through twelve, I’m pretty sure he wins 65 to 70 games too. And that’s where it gets dicey.”
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Simmons wrapped up with a strong statement about legacy: “What are you going to remember from this season? For me, it’s what Jokic did with this messed-up Nuggets team. They fired their coach with a week left—and he still had the greatest offensive season I’ve seen since Jordan.”
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