Sources indicate that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been voted the NBA MVP for the 2024-25 season, meaning Nikola Jokić finished as the runner-up. While intense debate surrounded whether Jokić or Gilgeous-Alexander was the rightful winner, there was broad consensus regarding how Jokić`s performance this season stacked up against his own past efforts. Despite having claimed three of the last four MVP awards, many consider this recent regular season to be statistically his finest in the NBA.
This season, Jokić achieved new personal bests in points, assists, and steals per game. He surpassed 40% shooting from three-point range for the first time, doing so with the second-highest volume of three-point attempts in his career. He also reached career-highs in several advanced metrics like Offensive Box Plus-Minus and Offensive Win Shares. In other comprehensive statistics, he either came close to personal bests or led the league without setting a new high. The Nuggets were significantly worse when he was off the court this season, performing 19.8 points per 100 possessions worse. With him on the floor, Denver boasted the best offense in NBA history; without him, they would have ranked last in the league this season.
The voters made their decision, favoring Gilgeous-Alexander`s season as a collective. However, setting Gilgeous-Alexander aside for a moment, Jokić`s performance in isolation represents a top-15 player in NBA history operating at his absolute peak. Absent a similarly dominant competitor, one might expect such a season to always result in an MVP win.
Yet, history shows this isn`t always the case. Derrick Rose`s MVP win over a 27-year-old LeBron James famously interrupted a potential streak of five consecutive MVP awards that James arguably deserved. Michael Jordan, undeniably the world`s best player from 1988 to 1998, won five MVPs during that decade but also lost four. Jokić has already experienced this to an extent; Joel Embiid won the 2023 MVP over him in a race that has since been viewed less favorably. The concept of voter fatigue is well-documented, ensuring that even the greatest players have historic seasons that ultimately don`t earn them the trophy.
This brings up an intriguing question: What is the single greatest NBA season that did *not* culminate in an MVP award? Could Jokić`s recent season be it? Below, we will argue his case before identifying the greatest MVP runner-up (or perhaps, a down-ballot finisher) in NBA history.
The Case For (and Against) Jokić
Let`s start with the obvious: Jokić averaged a triple-double. While not the sole measure of impact, achieving this feat is exceptionally rare. It has only been accomplished six times in NBA history: Oscar Robertson did it once, and Russell Westbrook four times. Curiously, Westbrook`s 2017 season is the only one of these six to win MVP, making the others theoretical competitors for this distinction. However, in reality, Jokić`s season surpasses Westbrook`s and Robertson`s by a significant margin.
Among seasons where a player averaged a triple-double, Jokić leads Westbrook and Robertson in nearly every all-in-one metric. He was also substantially more efficient. Both Robertson and Westbrook recorded a true shooting percentage of 55.4% in their best triple-double seasons. Jokić`s was 66.3%. This figure is even more impressive considering his tendency to take low-percentage heaves at the end of quarters. This season, he attempted 22 and made two. Removing these raises his three-point percentage to just over 44%, changing his rank from 18th to third in the league.
Regarding league rankings, Jokić just became the first player ever to finish in the top three in points, rebounds, and assists per game. He also tied for fifth in steals, leaving blocks as the only one of the five main individual statistics where he didn`t rank in the top five. Ironically, blocks are a center`s statistic, which Jokić is, yet statistically, he often resembles a point guard. As noted with Westbrook and Robertson, it`s no surprise that Jokić is the first center to average a triple-double and the first to average double-digit assists per game. In fact, only Domantas Sabonis and Wilt Chamberlain have ever averaged even eight assists as a center.
Let`s examine some prominent all-in-one metrics:
- Jokić`s recent season ranks 14th all-time by Value Over Replacement Player (VORP). Six non-MVP seasons are ranked higher: David Robinson (1994), Chris Paul (2009), and four Michael Jordan seasons (1987, 1989, 1990, and 1993).
- By Win Shares per 48 Minutes, it ranks 13th all-time. Only two non-MVP seasons are ahead: Wilt Chamberlain (1964) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1973).
- His season ranks fourth all-time by Player Efficiency Rating (PER). Only two non-MVP seasons are higher: Wilt Chamberlain (1962) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2022).
- By Box Plus-Minus (BPM), it ranks second all-time, trailing only his own 2022 season, which won MVP.
One might wonder why include metrics where Jokić isn`t the top non-MVP performer. Notice that the players ranked ahead of him vary across these metrics. Each metric uses slightly different calculations. What`s remarkable is Jokić`s consistent presence near the top of all of them. This widespread dominance is rare. This year`s MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander, illustrates this; he edged out Jokić in Win Shares per 48 minutes (ranking 10th all-time) but ranked 33rd in VORP and 25th in PER. While still incredible achievements, this shows how metrics vary, and appearing in the top 14 for four different comprehensive stats suggests a player impacts the game in an almost unparalleled variety of ways.
As previously mentioned, Denver`s performance dropped by 19.8 points per 100 possessions when Jokić was off the court. With him, their net rating would have placed them second in the NBA for the season. Without him, they would have been 28th. This magnitude of impact differential is exceptionally high, though comparing individual seasons solely on this basis can be challenging due to team context. One could argue a player shouldn`t be penalized for having strong teammates or a decent bench. However, Jokić has never played with an All-Star, and the Nuggets` bench consistently struggles. This season was no different.
The Nuggets scored a total of 9,902 points this season. Jokić scored 2,071 and assisted on another 1,850, directly contributing to 39.6% of his team`s points. By comparison, Gilgeous-Alexander contributed to 38.1%. While this difference might seem small, it`s substantial over a full season and is being compared against an MVP winner.
Comparing Jokić directly to historical MVP winning seasons further highlights his performance:
- His 29.6 points per game would rank 20th among all MVP winners.
- His 12.7 rebounds per game would tie for 30th among all MVP winners, or 11th if excluding pre-merger MVPs.
- His 10.2 assists per game would rank seventh among all MVP winners.
- His true shooting percentage of 66.3% would rank second among all MVP winners.
In essence, Jokić delivered above-average scoring volume by MVP standards while maintaining historic efficiency and playmaking, even with that scoring workload. Combining these elements, his season is arguably one of the greatest offensive performances in NBA history.
If seeking flaws, his defense is the primary area. Jokić`s defensive impact is debated; metrics are often relatively favorable, while the eye test can be less so. Objectively, this season was not his strongest defensively. His coach frequently highlighted defensive execution issues before being replaced. Denver`s defense ranked 21st in the regular season. Even the metrics that typically favor him showed a decline; he led the NBA in Defensive Box Plus-Minus in the previous three seasons (never below +4.2) but dropped to +3.3 this year. Similar decreases are visible across most defensive metrics.
Team record is also a factor. Despite the challenges with his supporting cast, 50 wins is considered relatively modest for a player at this elite level. This played a role in Gilgeous-Alexander winning MVP this year. While valuing team success in the context of individual performance is subjective, it must be considered when assessing a season`s place in historical rankings.
Who`s the Competition?
The discussion naturally starts with 1962 Wilt Chamberlain because… he averaged 50 points per game. Does that settle the debate? Likely not entirely. Analyzing scoring history reveals that many of the highest raw scoring averages occurred in the 1960s and early 1970s, primarily due to a much faster game pace. Adjusting for pace, Kobe Bryant`s 35.4 points per game in 2005-06 (in the fifth-slowest paced season on record) is argued by some as the most impressive scoring volume season ever. Exact pace data only exists from 1973, but the average game featured 79 field goal attempts in 2006 versus 107.7 in 1962.
Does pace invalidate Chamberlain`s achievement? Absolutely not. Playing at that relentless pace was undoubtedly exhausting. Perhaps more impressive is that he averaged 48.5 minutes per game in 1962. A standard NBA game is 48 minutes; Chamberlain spent only eight total minutes on the bench that season across all games, exceeding 48 minutes per appearance due to overtime games. This feat is truly unmatched and keeps him firmly in contention.
What about Kobe Bryant`s 2005-06 season? It warrants consideration, particularly paired with his First-Team All-Defense selection that year. The caveat is efficiency; while Bryant scored prodigiously, he wasn`t particularly efficient. The league average effective field goal percentage in 2005-06 was 49%, Bryant`s was 49.1%. Compared to Jokić`s 62.7% effective field goal percentage this season (league average 54.3%), the gap is vast. Bryant wasn`t known for elite playmaking, and 2005-06 was a weaker season in that regard, averaging 4.5 assists (his fewest between his first and last championship years). Ultimately, advanced metrics strongly favor Jokić. Bryant`s 2005-06 wouldn`t rank in the top five of Jokić`s own career in any of the main all-in-one stats discussed. Bryant heroically carried a struggling team, but his season likely falls just below Jokić`s tier here.
How have we discussed this without mentioning Michael Jordan? Selecting the single best non-MVP season for Jordan is challenging. Consider the metrics: Jordan has three non-MVP seasons (1989, 1990, 1993) where he led the NBA in all of the comprehensive metrics we highlighted. He nearly did it again in 1997 (missing only PER) while winning 69 games. It`s a tough choice, but 1989 is likely the strongest candidate. It was the season among the four where he won the fewest games, but if Jokić`s 50-win season is considered elite, Jordan`s 47 shouldn`t disqualify him.
So, what made 1989 Jordan so incredible? To this day, he is the only player to lead the NBA in both points per game and Defensive Box Plus-Minus, notably as a guard. Leading any all-in-one defensive metric without being a shot-blocker is remarkable; Jordan did it while also being the league`s premier offensive force. He posted career highs in both rebounds and assists, averaging exactly eight of each per game. A lesser-known fact is that he played point guard late that season, even flirting with a triple-double average in March and April after Doug Collins fully shifted his role. Add in 2.9 steals per game, his usual high efficiency, and the fact that this was before Scottie Pippen emerged as an All-Star, and you have a season that remains among the NBA`s greatest, with or without an MVP.
We`ve covered one GOAT candidate; what about the other? Surprisingly, there isn`t a specific LeBron James season that strongly fits here. His four best regular seasons, by most measures, align with his four MVP wins. While his 2010-11 season (losing to Rose) was still MVP-worthy, it was arguably his weakest during that four-year span, understandable as he adjusted to a new “super team.”
If a James season were a candidate, it would be 2007-08, his last before winning MVPs. James claimed his sole scoring title with 30 points per game and led the league in several key metrics. However, this version of LeBron generally trails 1989 Jordan in most aspects. Jordan notably out-rebounded and out-assisted this version of James, was more efficient, won more games, and performed better in most all-in-one metrics. In a head-to-head comparison of these specific seasons (at least in the regular season), there isn`t much debate. James stopped prioritizing the regular season in the same way after his last MVP, even if voter fatigue exists. He`s only led the NBA in VORP once since 2013 (in 2018, playing all 82 games). But come playoff time, he reverts to MVP-caliber LeBron. While his 2018 playoff run is arguably the highest peak performance ever seen, that`s not what we`re measuring here. So, LeBron is out of this specific discussion.
Having covered the most obvious candidates, several others deserve mention:
- James Harden in 2019: He outscored 2006 Bryant in raw points (36.1 per game), although less impressive when pace-adjusted. However, his feat of leading the league in both three-pointers made and free throws made seemed impossible before he did it three consecutive times. He won MVP in 2018, but some all-in-ones slightly favor 2019. But Houston was worse, and Harden`s defense was lacking. Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged and justly won MVP, so this Harden season is somewhat overlooked.
- Chris Paul in 2008: Any deep dive into historical stats reveals Chris Paul as one of the most underrated players. Bryant won MVP, but Paul arguably should have. He led the league in assists, estimated to have assisted on 52.2% of his team`s points while on the floor. He also led the league in steals, was First-Team All-Defense, and finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting as a six-foot guard. He led the league in Win Shares per 48 minutes, with the 32nd highest mark ever. His team won 56 games with David West as his best teammate. Paul`s historical impact is immense, even if accolades don`t fully capture it.
- Shaquille O`Neal in 2001: His raw stats were only slightly down from his 2000 MVP season, widely considered one of history`s best. How he lost MVP to Allen Iverson remains a historical puzzle. His season struggles in this comparison due to a meaningful decline in advanced metrics compared to his 2000 campaign, despite similar raw numbers.
- David Robinson in 1994: Often criticized for his 1995 MVP over Hakeem Olajuwon, he truly deserved the award over Olajuwon in 1994. This season is a forgotten statistical masterpiece: 4th all-time in VORP, 11th in Box Plus-Minus, 18th in Win Shares per 48, and 24th in PER. He won the scoring title and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs won 55 games despite only three other players averaging double figures; his highest-scoring teammate was a 33-year-old Dale Ellis (15.2 PPG), yet San Antonio ranked fourth offensively with Robinson leading the team in assists as a center. His 1994 season was his statistical magnum opus.
- Larry Bird in 1987: He won three consecutive MVPs before 1987, but his performance didn`t drop off. This season was his best by Box Plus-Minus and second-best by VORP and Win Shares per 48. He led the NBA in three-point attempts, shooting 40%, and it`s his only season averaging at least 28 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Bird received three trophies for five years of dominance but could easily have won in 1987 or 1988 as well. The slight edge goes to 1987 as a candidate.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1973: The fourth-greatest season ever by Win Shares per 48 minutes, and the leader in virtually every advanced metric for 1972-73. Players voted for MVP then and controversially chose Dave Cowens. This was the third-greatest player of all time still in his physical prime.
So, Who`s the Best Non-MVP Ever?
We can broadly categorize the seasons discussed into two tiers. There is a clear top three, although their order is debatable, and then others vying for the remaining spots in the top five. Without further ado, here is a ranking of the five greatest NBA seasons that did not result in an MVP award:
5. 2019 James Harden
This spot came down to a battle between 2019 Harden and 2006 Bryant. Harden edges it out. Bryant`s scoring volume in what is now recognized as the NBA`s dead-ball era was high but perhaps inflated relative to today. However, Harden`s scoring dominance was exceptional; he scored 649 more points than anyone else in the league, with no player coming within eight points per game of his average. Coupled with being a significantly better playmaker than Bryant and winning 53 games despite a quietly weak supporting cast (Paul was injured and struggled, Ariza left for nothing, Anthony lasted 10 games), Harden earns this spot.
4. 1994 David Robinson
Had Tim Duncan or Shaquille O`Neal posted this season, it would be widely celebrated as one of history`s statistical peak years. Robinson doesn`t always receive the same reverence, so his season is often overlooked. It checked every box – Robinson excelled in nearly every aspect of the game, and every advanced metric loved him. This is arguably the greatest regular season by any Spur, surpassing Robinson`s own 1995 MVP year and both of Duncan`s. It lacks the same historical narrative significance as the top three, however.
3. 1962 Wilt Chamberlain
Averaging 50 points per game is a feat that will never be replicated. Proper context is needed: it occurred in an eight-team league where Bill Russell was almost the only defender with a prayer against Chamberlain, and the pace significantly inflated offensive numbers. It remains a remarkable achievement, particularly regarding Chamberlain`s endurance. But it`s not quite the unimpeachable statistical marvel it seems at first glance. One can imagine another all-time great approaching Chamberlain`s numbers in the 1962 NBA environment; it`s much harder to envision other players replicating what the next two achieved.
2. 2025 Nikola Jokić
Greatness is an insufficient term for Jokić. He belongs to a more exclusive group. He has fundamentally challenged our understanding of what is possible on a basketball court in a way few players ever have. This century, perhaps only LeBron James (through his ability to capably play all five positions) and Stephen Curry (through his revolutionary shooting and off-ball movement) are comparable in this regard.
Jokić is the league`s best passer from the center position, which traditionally offers the least passing. He was among the league`s best shooters from a position known for its lack of shooting range. He has mastered these atypical skills while also being elite at what his position is supposed to do well. No scorer with his back to the basket is more dangerous, and few rebounders are superior. This season represents his best version yet. He is quite possibly the most dominant offensive force the NBA has ever seen. Of course, that requires the qualifier `offensive,` as his defense remains his sole relative weakness, a limitation not shared by our No. 1 selection.
1. 1989 Michael Jordan
For those who consider Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player ever, the arguments often center on his 10 scoring titles, five MVPs, and 6-0 Finals record. While significant, these are contextual achievements. Would LeBron James have won more championships or MVPs on the Bulls in the 80s and 90s? We simply don`t know, just as we don`t know how Jordan would have fared in James`s circumstances. Listing accolades doesn`t fully capture a player`s basketball essence.
The debate between Jordan and James, from a purely basketball perspective, revolves around weighing versatility against peak performance. James, by virtue of his physicality and mindset, was exceptional at more facets of the game than Jordan. But Jordan was arguably better at the things he specialized in, most notably scoring, than James was at his specialties. Personal preference influences one`s GOAT choice, but if seeking evidence for Jordan`s case, his 1989 season is arguably the strongest piece. It is the clearest proof that, had Jordan chosen to, he could have played a more versatile role akin to James, potentially being a point guard and consistent triple-double threat.
While David Robinson was excellent at everything in 1994, Jordan reached a level beyond that in 1989. He demonstrated that when he decided to master a skill, he might genuinely be capable of being the best in the NBA at almost anything. He led the league in scoring, contended for Defensive Player of the Year, passed like a point guard, and rebounded like a power forward. It wasn`t the most dominant version of Jordan overall, but it was his most versatile, providing a crucial data point in the debate against James, the most versatile player in NBA history. For a non-MVP season to play such a prominent role in arguably the sport`s most significant debate speaks volumes. It`s unlikely there will ever be a better NBA season that doesn`t conclude with the appropriately named Michael Jordan trophy.
Jasper Hawthorne