I still remember that electric feeling in the air during the 2021 NBA season - it felt like every game mattered more than usual. Coming off that bizarre pandemic season, players were hungry to prove themselves, and none shone brighter than Nikola Juji. When the MVP voting results finally dropped, I have to admit I wasn't surprised to see his name at the top, though the margin of victory definitely caught me off guard. The Serbian big man absolutely dominated the ballots, securing 91 first-place votes out of 100 possible. That's nearly unanimous! What impressed me most was how he transformed the Denver Nuggets from a solid playoff team into genuine championship contenders, even carrying them through Jamal Murray's devastating ACL injury late in the season.
Looking at the complete breakdown, Joel Embiid finished second with just one first-place vote, which honestly feels a bit harsh when you consider his phenomenal season. The Philadelphia 76ers center put up monster numbers - 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game - but apparently voters valued Jokić's historic efficiency and playmaking more. Stephen Curry landed in third place, and watching his April scoring explosion where he dropped 30+ points in 11 straight games was pure basketball magic. I've always been partial to guards who can take over games, but this year really belonged to the big men who could do everything.
The voting pattern tells an interesting story about what NBA writers value today. We've moved beyond just counting points and rebounds - now it's about impact, efficiency, and elevating your teammates. Jokić averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists while posting the highest player efficiency rating in NBA history. Those aren't just All-Star numbers, those are video game numbers. What makes his MVP season particularly special in my view is how he achieved these stats without forcing anything - his game looks effortless, almost like he's playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
I can't help but draw parallels to that Filipino basketball wisdom I once heard from a coach - "Ang dami namang beses na dinala na rin tayo niyan sa championship. Nabibitin lang pero may rason ang lahat." Roughly translating to "There were many times he brought us to the championship. We fell short, but everything happens for a reason." This perfectly captures Jokić's journey - he kept bringing the Nuggets closer each year, falling just short previously, but 2021 was finally his time. Sometimes in sports, the timing just works out perfectly, and for Jokić, everything aligned in a way that his unique skillset received the recognition it deserved. His MVP win wasn't just about one great season - it was the culmination of years of gradual improvement and consistently making his teammates better. Watching him receive that trophy, I couldn't help but feel we were witnessing the arrival of a new kind of superstar - one who proves you don't need flashy dunks or dramatic celebrations to be the most valuable player on the court.