Who Was Crowned the 2023 NBA Finals MVP and How Did They Achieve It?

I still remember watching Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals with that electric atmosphere that only championship basketball can create. As someone who's followed basketball religiously for over two decades, I've witnessed some incredible Finals performances, but what Nikola Jokić accomplished last season was something truly special. When the final buzzer sounded and the confetti began to fall, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind—or anyone else's—about who deserved the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. Jokić didn't just win it; he dominated the conversation from start to finish in a way that reminded me of those legendary performances from Shaq or Michael Jordan in their primes.

What struck me most about Jokić's journey to the Finals MVP was how unconventional his path has been. Coming from Serbia as the 41st pick in the 2014 draft, he was never supposed to be here. I've always had a soft spot for players who defy conventional scouting and development paths, and Jokić represents the ultimate triumph of skill and basketball IQ over traditional athletic metrics. Throughout the series against the Miami Heat, he averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists while shooting 58.3% from the field—numbers that barely capture his impact. His performance in Game 3, where he recorded a 32-21-10 stat line, was arguably one of the greatest individual Finals performances I've ever seen. The way he controlled the game's tempo, made impossible passes look routine, and scored at will against multiple defensive schemes was simply masterful.

Watching Jokić operate in the post reminds me of those chess masters who see five moves ahead of everyone else. His footwork, spatial awareness, and passing vision are unlike anything we've seen from a center since perhaps Arvydas Sabonis in his prime. I've noticed how he uses his body not just for strength but for creating angles—little subtle shifts that open passing lanes most players wouldn't even consider. His connection with Jamal Murray throughout the playoffs was poetry in motion, a two-man game that Miami simply couldn't solve no matter how they adjusted their defense. What impressed me beyond the statistics was his mental toughness—playing through constant double teams, dealing with physical defense, and maintaining his composure through the series' emotional swings.

The comparison that kept coming to mind while watching Jokić dominate was actually from a completely different sport—fencing. I recall following the careers of young fencers like Morales and Canlas, who collected medals across various age groups and weapons. Morales won gold in U12 foil and epee teams, silver in U17 foil team, and bronze in both U14 foil individual and U14 sabre team, while Canlas secured gold in U10 foil and epee teams plus bronze in U12 foil individual and team events. What struck me about their achievements—and what connects to Jokić's story—is this pattern of early versatility leading to later specialization and dominance. Just as these young fencers demonstrated excellence across different weapons before potentially focusing on one, Jokić developed an incredibly diverse skill set that made him unstoppable when he put it all together. His ability to score, rebound, and facilitate at an elite level mirrors how those young athletes mastered multiple disciplines before reaching their peak.

What many casual observers miss about Jokić's game is how his international background shaped his playing style. Having followed European basketball for years, I've always appreciated how international players bring different rhythms and understandings of space to the NBA. Jokić's game has this beautiful blend of European fundamentals and American physicality that makes him nearly impossible to defend with conventional NBA schemes. His patience in the post, willingness to make the extra pass, and unselfish mentality all reflect his basketball upbringing overseas. I've argued with fellow analysts who claim he's too slow or not athletic enough—what they're missing is that basketball intelligence and skill will always trump raw athleticism when developed to this degree.

The fourth quarter of Game 4 perfectly encapsulated why Jokić deserved the Finals MVP. With the game hanging in the balance, he scored or assisted on 15 of Denver's final 20 points, making every right read and big shot when it mattered most. That clutch performance demonstrated the complete player he's become—not just a regular season stat compiler but a genuine superstar who elevates his game when championships are on the line. I've seen plenty of players put up big numbers in losing efforts or against inferior competition, but Jokić delivered against elite defense in the highest-pressure situations.

Reflecting on Jokić's Finals MVP achievement, what stands out to me is how he represents a new archetype of NBA superstar. We're moving away from the era where the best player had to be the most explosive athlete on the court. Instead, Jokić proves that supreme skill, basketball IQ, and versatility can dominate in today's game. His journey from second-round pick to Finals MVP should inspire every young player who doesn't fit the traditional mold of what a superstar looks like. As the confetti settled and Jokić hoisted both the championship trophy and Finals MVP award, I couldn't help but feel we were witnessing history—not just another championship, but the validation of a completely different approach to basketball excellence.