The next generation has already begun to take the mantle and the two torch bearers are having a quiet battle before our eyes — one that could take a dramatic turn this June, if we’re all lucky.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić could lead the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets back to the Finals this year and settle things on the floor in a way they haven’t yet been able to.
They’ve led their franchises to two of the last three NBA titles, with Stephen Curry getting one in the middle. Each titan has two MVPs — with Jokić installed as a favorite this year to win his third — and a Finals MVP.
The basketball world has been bracing for the inevitable aging out and retirement of the mainstays, LeBron James, Curry and Kevin Durant, openly wondering if Ja Morant or Anthony Edwards or rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama will snatch the light and lead the way for the next generation.
What we’re missing in the meantime is a battle between two supernovas who, in their own way, have made the league their own right before our eyes. And these two are not stopgaps, they just haven’t been handed anything because so much oxygen is taken up by the older fellas — who are still very much remarkable and deserving of attention.
But back to the matter, a third MVP would put Jokić in historic company we haven’t had to talk about in quite awhile. And even though NBA MVPs traditionally come in clusters, only Michael Jordan (five), Magic Johnson (three), Larry Bird (three) and James (four) have accumulated three or more of those trophies in the last 40 years. Individually, it could vault Jokić historically ahead of Antetokounmpo, who last won the award in the COVID-truncated 2019-20 season. Antetokounmpo is quietly making a late charge for candidacy but it could be too late due to Jokić and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having somewhat of a head start.
Minds aren’t made up yet, but Antetokounmpo’s all-around game could close the gap as Milwaukee finds its way back to its usual standing following its early-season struggles, culminating in the firing of first-year coach Adrian Griffin.
Antetokounmpo is a devastating two-way force who’s returned to those ways, a former Defensive Player of the Year who’s also finished second and in the top 10 every year since coming into his own.
Perhaps a Finals matchup would cement these two being on the marquee, and it seems the league would be better for it….