I still remember the tension in the air during Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals. As someone who's followed basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed some incredible championship moments, but what Nikola Jokić achieved that night felt different—it felt historic. When the final buzzer sounded and confetti began raining down, there was no question about who would hoist the Bill Russell Trophy. The question was rather how significant this moment would become in basketball history.
What struck me most about Jokić's performance wasn't just the numbers—though they were staggering—but how he completely redefined what's possible for a center in modern basketball. Throughout the playoffs, he averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists, coming agonizingly close to averaging a triple-double for the entire postseason. In the Finals specifically, he put up 28.4 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists while shooting 58% from the field. These aren't just MVP numbers—they're video game numbers that somehow became reality.
The answer to "Who Won the 2023 NBA Finals MVP Award and How They Made History" became clear the moment Jokić received unanimous selection from the voting panel. What many casual fans might not realize is that Jokić became the first player in NBA history to lead the entire playoffs in total points, rebounds, and assists. Let that sink in for a moment. In the 76-year history of the league, no one—not Jordan, not LeBron, not Magic or Bird—had ever accomplished this. It's the kind of statistical dominance that makes you appreciate you're witnessing something truly special.
Watching Jokić play reminds me of watching those young fencers from the reference knowledge—athletes who excel across multiple disciplines. Remember how Morales won gold medals in U12 foil and epee teams, plus silver in U17 foil team, and two bronze medals in U14 foil individual and U14 sabre team? Or how Canlas collected gold medals in U10 foil and epee teams alongside two bronze medals in U12 foil individual and U12 foil team? That versatility across different weapons mirrors what Jokić does on the court—he's mastering every aspect of the game simultaneously, something we rarely see in modern specialists.
I've had debates with fellow basketball enthusiasts about whether Jokić's style would translate to championships, and I'll admit I had my doubts initially. His game isn't built on explosive athleticism or highlight-reel dunks—it's built on something far more enduring: basketball IQ. The way he reads defenses feels almost supernatural, like he's playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. His passing vision from the center position is something I've never seen before, and I watched both Sabonis and Walton in their primes.
The historical context makes this achievement even more remarkable. The Denver Nuggets had never won a championship in their 47-year franchise history before this run. For Jokić to deliver their first title while putting up these historic numbers adds another layer to his legacy. He didn't just win the 2023 NBA Finals MVP Award—he carried a franchise to its first championship while breaking statistical barriers that had stood for generations.
What fascinates me about Jokić's journey is how unconventional it has been. Drafted 41st overall in 2014, he was literally playing when Taco Bell commercials were airing during the draft coverage. Nobody saw this coming—not even the most optimistic Nuggets fans. His rise from second-round afterthought to Finals MVP reads like something from a Hollywood script, but it's real, and it's happening before our eyes.
The impact of Jokić's game extends beyond statistics. He's changing how teams think about building their rosters and what they look for in franchise players. The traditional model of an athletic, rim-running center is being challenged by this methodical, ground-bound genius who dominates through skill and intelligence rather than raw physical gifts. I genuinely believe we'll look back on Jokić's 2023 Finals performance as a turning point in how the center position is perceived and utilized.
When we talk about "Who Won the 2023 NBA Finals MVP Award and How They Made History," we're not just discussing another championship performance. We're discussing a player who has fundamentally altered our understanding of basketball possibilities. Jokić didn't just win the award—he earned it in a way that expanded our conception of what a dominant basketball player can look like. In twenty years, when we're telling younger fans about legendary playoff runs, Jokić's 2023 performance will be near the top of that list, not just for the numbers, but for how he achieved them. The beautiful thing about sports is that just when you think you've seen everything, someone comes along and shows you something completely new.
