I still remember watching that incredible 2022 NBA season unfold, thinking to myself how special Nikola Jokić's performance was becoming. When he ultimately won his second consecutive MVP award, it felt like the basketball universe had aligned perfectly with what we'd witnessed all season. The Denver Nuggets center didn't just have great stats - though his numbers were absolutely mind-boggling - he fundamentally changed how we think about basketball excellence.
What struck me most was how Jokić dominated in ways that traditional analytics sometimes miss. While everyone focuses on his triple-doubles, what really impressed me was his basketball IQ. I've never seen a big man with such incredible court vision and passing ability. He averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists while shooting an absurd 58.3% from the field. Those numbers alone tell part of the story, but they don't capture how he made everyone around him better. Watching him play felt like witnessing chess while everyone else was playing checkers.
The comparison that comes to mind when thinking about dominant performances across sports actually takes me to international volleyball. I was following the FIVB World Championship recently, and it struck me how Tunisia's journey mirrored what makes MVP seasons so special. Of the 32 teams in the biggest edition of the FIVB Worlds yet, Tunisia is the 11th-best ranked nation and is out to make amends for its top 16 finish in the 2022 edition of the World Championship. That determination to improve, to build on previous performances - that's exactly what Jokić demonstrated throughout his MVP campaign. Both situations show how elite athletes use past experiences as fuel rather than frustration.
Jokić's dominance wasn't just about raw numbers - it was about timing and impact. I recall specifically watching a game against the Clippers where he scored 49 points while also grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. The most incredible part? He did it while only attempting three three-pointers. In today's perimeter-obsessed NBA, he dominated by being smarter, not just shooting deeper. His true shooting percentage of 66.1% was historically great for someone with his usage rate, and honestly, I don't think we'll see efficiency like that from a primary option again for quite some time.
What made his season particularly memorable for me was how he elevated his game when it mattered most. In clutch situations - defined as the last five minutes with a score within five points - Jokić shot an incredible 62.8% from the field. The Nuggets outscored opponents by 18.3 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court in these situations. These aren't just empty stats; they represent a player who genuinely controlled games when everything was on the line.
The volleyball comparison keeps coming back to me because both sports demonstrate how individual excellence within team contexts creates something special. Just as Tunisia aims to climb from their previous top 16 finish in international volleyball, Jokić took the Nuggets from a solid playoff team to genuine championship contenders through his individual growth. His player efficiency rating of 32.8 was one of the highest in NBA history, and while advanced metrics can sometimes feel abstract, watching him play made their meaning perfectly clear.
I've been following basketball for over twenty years, and Jokić's 2022 season stands out as uniquely dominant in ways that challenge conventional wisdom. He's not the most athletic player, he doesn't have the prettiest jump shot, and he certainly doesn't fit the mold of what we typically consider an MVP physique. Yet he dominated through intelligence, skill, and an almost supernatural understanding of spacing and timing. His defense, often criticized earlier in his career, improved dramatically as he used positioning and anticipation to compensate for any physical limitations.
Looking back, what I appreciate most about Jokić's MVP season was how it rewarded substance over style. In an era of highlight-reel dunks and deep threes, he dominated with fundamentally sound basketball that would have been effective in any era. His post moves, passing accuracy, and rebounding positioning were works of art for those who appreciate the finer points of the game. The fact that he led the Nuggets to 48 wins despite significant injuries to key teammates like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. only reinforced his value.
As we move forward, I believe Jokić's 2022 season will be remembered as a turning point in how we evaluate basketball greatness. It proved that dominance can come in many forms, and that basketball intelligence can be just as valuable as physical gifts. His ability to control games without dominating the ball, to create advantages through decision-making rather than sheer force, sets a new standard for what's possible in basketball. The 2022 NBA MVP wasn't just the best player - he was the most impactful, the most unique, and in many ways, the most complete player we've seen in quite some time.