Nikola Jokić continues to fade in NBA MVP discussions despite the superstar big man arguably having a career year for the surging Denver Nuggets.
However, according to Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce, Jokić is on the verge of achieving an unmatchable feat that warrants the three-time MVP more respect.
Nikola Jokić Poised to Cap Off ‘Historic Season’ After ESPN MVP Straw Poll Slight
During Wednesday’s edition of the “No Fouls Given” podcast, Pierce and Co. reacted to ESPN’s final MVP straw poll, titled “Why SGA and Wemby have created their own tier.”
The poll saw the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receive 88 out of a possible 100 first-place votes, followed by the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama with eight.
That left just four first-place votes up for grabs, with Jokić only garnering three as he inches closer to making NBA history.
With averages of 27.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game through 64 appearances, the eight-time All-Star is on pace to become the first player ever to lead the league in rebounds and assists per game, while scoring at an elite level.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets have won 10 straight contests to climb to third in the Western Conference (52-28) with just two outings remaining, leaving Pierce perplexed about the NBA media overlooking Jokić.
“I think Joker should be a lot closer. I mean, he’s having a historic season,” Pierce said. “We’re never gonna see a season like this again from no one else in the history of the game.”
Pierce even ranked Jokić’s 2025-26 production as tougher to match than NBA icon Wilt Chamberlain’s storied 100-point game.
“You’ll have a better chance of scoring 100 points in a game than having a guy lead the league in assists and rebounds,” Pierce asserted. “Does that not weigh anything? This is not a knock on SGA; it just shouldn’t be this type of disparity. It should be a lot closer.”
Chamberlain’s 100-point record has stood since March 2, 1962, with no one coming within closer than 17 points of it. Miami Heat star center Bam Adebayo improbably tallied 83 points early last month, though the outlier performance came with an asterisk, as it occurred against the league-worst Washington Wizards (17-62).
In Jokić’s case, while he has maxed out at 61 points in a single game, he has revolutionized the center position with his mix of court vision and finesse for his size.
While eye-popping scoring eruptions continue to be the norm in the modern NBA, the 31-year-old’s unprecedented versatility could stand the test of time, even if he never captures his fourth MVP trophy.
