Let me walk you through exactly how Nikola Jokić claimed his second consecutive MVP award in 2022 and completely dominated the season. I've been following basketball for over a decade, and what Jokić accomplished that year was something truly special - the kind of performance that makes you appreciate basketball on a whole different level.
First, you need to understand the context. The Denver Nuggets were missing their second and third best players for significant portions of the season. Jamal Murray was still recovering from his ACL tear, and Michael Porter Jr. was dealing with back issues. Most analysts, myself included, thought Denver would struggle just to make the playoffs. But what happened instead was Jokić putting the entire team on his back in a way I haven't seen since maybe LeBron's first stint in Cleveland. The first step in his MVP campaign was sheer availability - he played 74 games, which might not sound impressive until you realize he was playing through minor injuries that would sideline most stars. I remember watching game after game thinking "surely he'll sit this one out," but he just kept showing up.
Now let's talk numbers, because this is where it gets ridiculous. Jokić averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists while shooting 58.3% from the field. Those aren't just MVP numbers - those are video game numbers. What impressed me most was his efficiency. He had a player efficiency rating of 32.8, which is one of the highest in NBA history. He recorded 19 triple-doubles that season, and what many people don't realize is that he was just the first center since Wilt Chamberlain to lead his team in assists. The method here was simple yet revolutionary - Jokić redefined what a center could be. While traditional big men were camping in the paint, he was orchestrating the entire offense from the high post, making passes that would make point guards jealous.
Here's something crucial that statistics don't fully capture - Jokić made everyone around him better. I watched countless games where role players like Bones Hyland and Austin Rivers were getting wide-open looks because defenses were so terrified of Jokić. He had this incredible ability to draw double teams and then find the exact right pass to exploit the defensive rotation. His basketball IQ is off the charts - he sees plays developing two or three passes ahead. The key takeaway here is that dominance isn't just about personal statistics; it's about elevating your team's performance. Denver finished 48-34, which was good for sixth in the brutal Western Conference, but what mattered more was their net rating with Jokić on versus off the court - they were championship contenders when he played and lottery teams when he sat.
Let me draw an interesting parallel to another sport here. You know how in volleyball, teams sometimes outperform their expected rankings through individual brilliance? Like how Tunisia, ranked 11th among the 32 teams in the biggest FIVB Worlds edition yet, aimed to improve upon their top 16 finish in the 2022 World Championship. That's similar to what Jokić did - he took a team that on paper had no business being competitive and made them dangerous through his sheer dominance. Both situations show how a single transcendent player can elevate an entire team beyond its perceived ceiling.
A word of caution though - don't make the mistake of thinking Jokić's success came easily. What many casual observers miss is the incredible conditioning required to play at his level while carrying so much offensive responsibility. I've spoken with trainers who work with NBA players, and they'll tell you that the metabolic demand of being a team's primary scorer, rebounder, and playmaker is enormous. Jokić built his endurance through grueling offseason workouts that focused on maintaining his strength while improving his mobility. Another important note - his unselfishness was key. He never forced shots or tried to pad his stats. There were multiple games where he could have easily chased triple-doubles but instead made the right basketball plays to secure wins.
The rhythm of his game was something to behold - sometimes he'd methodically work in the post with a series of deliberate moves, other times he'd push the ball upcourt himself and make a bullet pass for an easy basket. This variability kept defenses completely off balance. Personally, I think this is what separated him from other candidates like Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo - while they were physically dominant, Jokić was cerebrally dominant. He didn't just beat you; he outthought you.
Looking back, what made Jokić's 2022 MVP season so memorable wasn't just the statistics or the highlight plays. It was the way he redefined excellence at his position while carrying a depleted roster to respectability. He proved that in today's specialized NBA, there's still room for a player who does everything well rather than being hyper-specialized. The answer to who won the 2022 NBA MVP award and how they dominated the season comes down to one man's complete mastery of basketball in its purest form - reading defenses, making the right play, and elevating everyone around him while putting up historic numbers. It was a season that, in my opinion, will be studied for years to come as the year the Joker reshaped our understanding of basketball dominance.
