NBA MVP Voting 2021 Results: Complete Breakdown and Analysis of the Winner
Looking back at the 2021 NBA MVP race, I still get that familiar mix of admiration and slight frustration—the kind of feeling you get when a player consistently elevates their team but falls just short of the ultimate prize. As someone who’s followed the league for years, I’ve seen how narratives, stats, and team success intertwine to shape these awards, and 2021 was no exception. Nikola Jokić emerged as the clear winner, and honestly, it’s hard to argue against his case. The Denver Nuggets’ big man put up staggering numbers: 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, all while shooting an incredible 56.6% from the field. But what really stood out to me was his consistency—he played in all 72 games of that shortened season, anchoring a team that dealt with significant injuries, including Jamal Murray’s ACL tear.
I remember thinking at the time how Jokić’s win felt like a breath of fresh air. He wasn’t the high-flying athletic specimen we often associate with MVP candidates; instead, he relied on basketball IQ, vision, and an almost poetic understanding of spacing and timing. That’s something I’ve always appreciated—players who redefine what greatness looks like. Still, part of me couldn’t help but feel for Joel Embiid, who finished second. Embiid’s 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game were monstrous, and he carried the Philadelphia 76ers to the top seed in the East. But his missed games—21 in total—likely cost him, and it’s a reminder of how durability plays such a huge role in these votes.
When you dive into the voting breakdown, Jokić’s dominance becomes even clearer. He secured 91 first-place votes out of a possible 101, amassing 971 total points. Embiid trailed with 586 points, while Stephen Curry, in third, grabbed 453 points thanks to his scoring explosion that season—32 points per game and that unforgettable 62-point night against Portland. But here’s where my personal bias kicks in: as much as I love Curry’s flash and Embiid’s power, Jokić’s impact felt more holistic. He made everyone around him better, and advanced stats like his 31.08 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) backed that up. It’s the kind of leadership that reminds me of the quote, "Ang dami namang beses na dinala na rin tayo niyan sa championship. Nabibitin lang pero may rason ang lahat." Roughly, it speaks to how often a player carries a team close to glory, only to fall short—but there’s always a reason. For Jokić, the reason in 2021 wasn’t about falling short; it was about recognizing a historic individual effort amid team limitations.
In the end, the 2021 MVP race wasn’t just about numbers—it was a story of resilience, innovation, and a shifting league identity. Jokić’s win signaled a broader acceptance of diverse skill sets in basketball, and as a fan, I found that incredibly exciting. Sure, you could make cases for Embiid or Curry, but Jokić embodied what the award is all about: elevating your team in ways that go beyond the box score. And while Denver didn’t win the championship that year, Jokić’s MVP season laid the groundwork for future success, proving that sometimes, individual brilliance paves the way for collective growth.