“I’m glad this time my vote for MVP is correct.” It was with a joke that Mark Jackson commented on the choice of Nikola Jokic as MVP of the 2023 Finals. The former Warriors coach, now a TV consultant, was the only one not to vote for Jokic in the ballot for the MVP, claiming an hour of manipulation… This time, he did not get the wrong vote, and the pivot of the Nuggets was elected unanimously: 11 votes out of 11 possible.
More seriously, Jokic becomes the first player in history, not from the Top 15 of a Draft, to win the MVP and Finals MVP trophies. In five games against the Heat, the Serb finished with 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists, and he will go home with the Bill Russell Trophy.
In all of the playoffs, Jokic is the leader for total points, rebounds and assists, and this is a first in NBA history! In this fifth set, won 94-89, the double MVP finished with 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. All at 12 out of 16 on shots!
