NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of titans at the top

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 114-110, NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of the titans at the top. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: 2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Rank last week: 1

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 26.0/13.8/8.1/1.4/0.8

FG%/3P%/FT%: 57.2/34.9/80.4

Off EPM / Def EPM: +7.3/+1.4

Nikola Jokic had a quiet week by his standards. He played decently well against Joel Embiid and the 76ers Monday night, although coming away with the win is huge after two consecutive losses to the Warriors and the Raptors.

He continues to be the greatest show this side of Ja Morant,- must-see TV. Describing Jokic to our children will be a lot like listening to our parents talk about Larry Bird. You kind of had to be there to really understand his greatness. The stats, while impressive, don’t convey how awkwardly beautiful the one-of-a-kind big man’s game truly is.

But as great as Jokic is, one must wonder if the burden he’s carried all season long is starting to weigh on him. He’s looked a tad slower of late, and his much-improved defense has been slightly more inconsistent. That said, he’s still putting up monster numbers, and the Nuggets were on a tear before this week.

It’s hard to lumber up and down the court every night while being the focal point of everything the Nuggets do, so the impending return of Michael Porter Jr. will hopefully give Jokic just a little bit more breathing room. The statistical dominance Jokic has had over the competition all season has started to narrow, and he’ll need to get his groove back to regain the lead.

The Nuggets are 1.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks and 1.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves for the sixth spot, and they’ll need a strong finish to hold off Minnesota and avoid the play-in tournament.