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Astonishing Nikola Jokic stats show Nuggets star is destroying Michael Jordan’s 1998 MVP season
Nikola Jokic is dominating the NBA, again. The Serbian is enjoying another stellar campaign for the Denver Nuggets, so much so that his statistics show him to be on track to have one of the greatest seasons ever. Nikola Jokic is unsurprisingly having another good year for the NuggetsGetty When Michael Jordan’s 1998 MVP season starts getting brought up, you know you’re having a good year. Jokic’s 2025 season has been compared to Air Jordan’s legendary campaign and for good reason too. The 30-year-old is averaging 29.1 points per game, ranking third in the NBA, with a field goal percentage of 57.5 percent and an impressive 41.3 percent from three-point range. In contrast, during his 1997-98 MVP season, when MJ won his sixth and final NBA title, Jordan led the NBA with 28.7 points per game, shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from beyond the arc. Jokic’s versatility is evident in his 12.8 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game, showcasing his ability to influence the game anywhere on the court. Jordan, known primarily for his scoring, averaged 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the 1997-98 season. Defensively, Jokic contributes 1.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, while Jordan averaged 1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks during his fifth and final MVP season. What separates Jokic’s numbers this year from Jordan’s in 1998 is that his numbers display all-around excellence as he dominates every part of the offense. While the numbers certainly don’t lie, some fans pointed out important caveats and nuances to the data. “Whole system built around Jokic,” one fan wrote. “Leads the league in touches by FAR, 14 second shot clock after offensive rebounds compared to 24 when MJ played, much worse defense, inflated stats, Jokic doesn’t play a LICK of defense.” Nikola Jokic is a three-time MVP winnerGetty 2025 Jokic is completely outgunning ’98 MJ in every major categoryStatheadBasketball Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been dubbed to win the MVP this year ahead of Jokic “Can we stop comparing players in different eras, you literally can’t compare. MJ is a shooting guard and Jokic is a center,” said another. “Now compare rings (only thing that matters),” third added. Despite MVP momentum initially heading towards OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic has re-entered the race as a strong contender. To SGA’s credit, he is enjoying a remarkable season for the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed/ NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals By averaging 33 points (first in the league), 6.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and one block, he’s on track to have an unprecedented season. It’s why Anthony Edwards declared the MVP race was over in January when he crowned Gilgeous-Alexander. “It’s a really good feeling,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Edwards’ praise. “No offense to you guys in the media, but the best satisfaction is when your peers and the guys who do the same thing for a living at a very high level … recognize and respect your craft and talent. When Jokic weighed in on the MVP conversation, he claimed this is the best season of his career. It’s a bold statement from someone who already has three MVPs, one championship, and six All-NBA appearances, and is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest players in the history of The Association. “This is my third or fourth year in a row. I can’t control it,” Jokic told Katy Winge. “I will say I think I’m playing the best basketball of my life, so if that’s enough, it’s enough. If not, the guy deserves it. He’s really amazing.” Nuggets head coach, Mike Malone echoed Jokic’s statement when talking to reporters about his season. “Yeah. I mean, not only because he has said that, and obviously he’s probably his own toughest critic, but the numbers say it,” said Malone, who has coached Jokić for the entirety of his 10-year career. “He had a 30-20-20 game (in a win over Phoenix on March 7) — no one’s ever done that. He’s on pace to average a triple-double. Only two other guys have ever done that (Robertson and Jokić’s teammate, Russell Westbrook). “So I think he’s playing the best basketball of a very brilliant and impressive career.” How to watch NBA in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games. Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the f
Nikola Jokic is dominating the NBA, again.
The Serbian is enjoying another stellar campaign for the Denver Nuggets, so much so that his statistics show him to be on track to have one of the greatest seasons ever.
When Michael Jordan’s 1998 MVP season starts getting brought up, you know you’re having a good year.
Jokic’s 2025 season has been compared to Air Jordan’s legendary campaign and for good reason too.
The 30-year-old is averaging 29.1 points per game, ranking third in the NBA, with a field goal percentage of 57.5 percent and an impressive 41.3 percent from three-point range.
In contrast, during his 1997-98 MVP season, when MJ won his sixth and final NBA title, Jordan led the NBA with 28.7 points per game, shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Jokic’s versatility is evident in his 12.8 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game, showcasing his ability to influence the game anywhere on the court.
Jordan, known primarily for his scoring, averaged 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the 1997-98 season.
Defensively, Jokic contributes 1.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, while Jordan averaged 1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks during his fifth and final MVP season.
What separates Jokic’s numbers this year from Jordan’s in 1998 is that his numbers display all-around excellence as he dominates every part of the offense.
While the numbers certainly don’t lie, some fans pointed out important caveats and nuances to the data.
“Whole system built around Jokic,” one fan wrote. “Leads the league in touches by FAR, 14 second shot clock after offensive rebounds compared to 24 when MJ played, much worse defense, inflated stats, Jokic doesn’t play a LICK of defense.”
“Can we stop comparing players in different eras, you literally can’t compare. MJ is a shooting guard and Jokic is a center,” said another.
“Now compare rings (only thing that matters),” third added.
Despite MVP momentum initially heading towards OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic has re-entered the race as a strong contender.
To SGA’s credit, he is enjoying a remarkable season for the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed/
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Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone
10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus
Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals
By averaging 33 points (first in the league), 6.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and one block, he’s on track to have an unprecedented season.
It’s why Anthony Edwards declared the MVP race was over in January when he crowned Gilgeous-Alexander.
“It’s a really good feeling,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Edwards’ praise.
“No offense to you guys in the media, but the best satisfaction is when your peers and the guys who do the same thing for a living at a very high level … recognize and respect your craft and talent.
When Jokic weighed in on the MVP conversation, he claimed this is the best season of his career.
It’s a bold statement from someone who already has three MVPs, one championship, and six All-NBA appearances, and is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest players in the history of The Association.
“This is my third or fourth year in a row. I can’t control it,” Jokic told Katy Winge.
“I will say I think I’m playing the best basketball of my life, so if that’s enough, it’s enough. If not, the guy deserves it. He’s really amazing.”
Nuggets head coach, Mike Malone echoed Jokic’s statement when talking to reporters about his season.
“Yeah. I mean, not only because he has said that, and obviously he’s probably his own toughest critic, but the numbers say it,” said Malone, who has coached Jokić for the entirety of his 10-year career.
“He had a 30-20-20 game (in a win over Phoenix on March 7) — no one’s ever done that. He’s on pace to average a triple-double. Only two other guys have ever done that (Robertson and Jokić’s teammate, Russell Westbrook).
“So I think he’s playing the best basketball of a very brilliant and impressive career.”
How to watch NBA in the UK
*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue
With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games.
Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they’re successful.
Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Lakers are looking to win LA’s first championship since 2020.
To watch the rest of this NBA season, sign up for an NBA League pass using the links below. NBA League pass allows subscribers to watch games live and on demand.
- Buy NBA League Pass – £79.99 for the season, £16.99 a month
- Buy NBA League Pass Premium – £104.99 for the season, £29.99 a month
For more information read our article on how to watch the NBA.
