3. Nikola Jokic
If there was a least Athletic Award in the NBA, Nikola Jokic might win it. And guess what? He probably doesn’t care and It doesn’t matter either. He is that great. Jokic is rare, he can do things with the basketball that some guards can’t do. He is an unbelievable passer, arguably the best ever at the position. Unlike most teams that revolve around their guard and wing play, the Nuggets go through him and it showed particularly in the playoffs.
Last season, Jokic was the primary reason the Denver Nuggets had the second-best record in basketball. He was the only star on their roster. The 24-year-old averaged 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. He is also made 83 three-pointers and shot 82% from the charity stripe.
In his first playoff action this season, he was spectacular. Jokic made big play after big play for the Nuggets, who lost in a great seven-game series to the Trail Blazers in the Conference Semifinals. In 14 playoff games, he averaged 25.1 points, 13 rebounds, and 8.4 assists. It was certainly an impressive showing for Jokic.
The only reason he isn’t higher on this list is that he isn’t the defender that the next two players are.