Steve Nash spoke candidly about Nikola Jokic heading into the new season and what he expects from him as he looks to win his fourth MVP award.
Nikola Jokic may be at the peak of his career, but he already has a Hall of Fame-worthy resume. The Denver Nuggets superstar has made it an annual tradition to earn the accolade.
Jokic is a multiple All-Star and All-NBA selection, three-time MVP, NBA Champion and Finals MVP, and feels he still has a lot to contribute to the game.
Jokic is one of the top candidates for next season’s 2025-26 NBA MVP award, and this will be his sixth consecutive year in contention for the award.
Steve Nash is rooting for Jokic to win his fourth MVP, tying him with LeBron James. But for that to happen, Nash believes Jokic needs to develop an edge.
Steve Nash was a guest on Zach Lowe’s latest podcast episode. When discussing next season’s MVP candidates, Nash brought up Nikola Jokic’s name and challenged the Serbian to prove a point.
Nash, who has dominated the NBA in a mostly passive role, wants Jokic to be more motivated after missing out on MVP honors last year. He knows Jokic can be difficult, but he wants to see him more often.
“My heart goes out to Shai, my fellow Canadians… I think it’s the Joker. Unless something weird happens to him or his team this year, he won’t win the award for the second year in a row…
“Does anyone doubt if he averages another triple-double, his shooting stats are off the charts, and his passing of the ball is about the same as any other player in the game? Where do we go from here?”
“He’s bigger, stronger, more skilled, more accurate and has the best vision in the league. Why won’t he win MVP if he didn’t win it last year?”
“I’d like to see him with a chip on his shoulder this year. He’s a super competitor, but he’s also kind of a ‘do your own thing’ guy.”
“I don’t care if there’s some piss and vinegar in this year’s Joker. It’s just for our fun…Especially in a playoff scenario, we know it’s going to be in it. In the regular season? We’ll see.”
After winning the 2023 NBA Championship, the Denver Nuggets lost several key pieces and have failed to make a serious title shot since.
Losing Bruce Brown, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and even Russell Westbrook over the years proved to be a huge blow.
Fortunately, the Nuggets brought back Bruce Brown and several stars who could make a big impact for them this summer.
Lowe supported Cam Johnson as a difference-maker for the Nuggets against the OKC Thunder. With a deep roster, Jokic should be able to win both the MVP and title this season.