I still remember the excitement building up throughout that remarkable 2021 NBA season, watching players push their limits night after night. The MVP race felt particularly special that year, with several legitimate contenders making strong cases throughout the condensed 72-game schedule. As someone who's followed basketball for over two decades, I've learned that MVP voting often reveals fascinating insights about what the media values most in any given season - whether it's raw statistics, team success, or narrative appeal.
Nikola Jokić ultimately claimed the prestigious award with a commanding 971 total points, including 91 first-place votes from the global media panel. What impressed me most about Jokić's campaign was how he carried the Denver Nuggets after Jamal Murray's devastating ACL injury in April. The Serbian big man posted staggering numbers - 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 56.6% from the field. His advanced metrics were even more ridiculous, leading the league in player efficiency rating, win shares, and value over replacement player. I've always believed big men who can orchestrate offense are basketball's ultimate weapon, and Jokić represented that philosophy perfected.
The runner-up position went to Philadelphia's Joel Embiid, who accumulated 586 points with just one first-place vote fewer than I expected at 62. Embiid's dominance was undeniable - 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds while anchoring the league's second-best defense. What struck me about his season was how he maintained Philadelphia's competitive level despite the Ben Simmons drama constantly swirling around the team. Golden State's Stephen Curry finished third with 453 points and 5 first-place votes, and honestly, his April performance alone nearly convinced me he deserved higher placement. The man averaged 37.1 points that month while shooting 47% from three-point range, which is just video game numbers.
Looking at the broader voting results, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo placed fourth with 348 points, followed by Phoenix's Chris Paul with 139 points. What fascinated me about the distribution was how it reflected different voting philosophies among media members. Some clearly prioritized team success, others valued individual statistics, while a third group seemed influenced by narrative elements. The reference material's Tagalog phrase about falling short but having reasons resonates here - every candidate had compelling arguments, but ultimately only one could win.
Reflecting on that season now, I believe the voters got it right. Jokić's historical statistical profile combined with his ability to elevate a depleted roster created the most compelling case. His usage rate of 29.2% combined with his efficiency was something we'd rarely seen from a center. The Nuggets outperformed their expected win total by nearly six games according to several analytical models, largely because Jokić made everyone around him better. Embiid was magnificent, Curry was electrifying, but Jokić was uniquely revolutionary in how he dominated games.
The 2021 MVP race will likely be remembered as a turning point in how we evaluate big men in modern basketball. Jokić redefined what's possible from the center position, blending traditional low-post scoring with guard-like playmaking vision. His victory signaled that basketball intelligence and skill could outweigh athleticism in the right circumstances. As the game continues to evolve, I suspect we'll look back at Jokić's 2021 season as a landmark moment that expanded our understanding of basketball excellence.
