- Both have clinched NBA championships and secured the Finals MVP award
- Giannis was the first to earn two regular-season MVP titles
- Jokic recently secured the league title and is poised to repeat the feat with the Nuggets this year
Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo may very well be considered the two best basketball players in the world. They share numerous similarities, such as being European-born, playing as power forwards or centers, and serving as the cornerstone players for their respective teams. Even in terms of championships and accolades, their records are remarkably close, and they are similar in age.
The Joker is currently the reigning NBA champion, having led the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever championship in franchise history last season. In a Finals where the Miami Heat surprised the entire league by reaching the championship round, the Nuggets, led by Jokic, secured a historic 4-1 series victory, culminating in a memorable home court celebration in Denver.
On the other hand, Giannis clinched the NBA championship in 2021 against the Phoenix Suns. Despite Phoenix winning the first two games, Giannis and his Bucks rallied to win four consecutive games and capture the championship, marking his first title win. He now aims to return to the pinnacle of the league in the 2023/24 season, with the Bucks bolstered by the addition of Damian Lillard.
NBA Championships
Nikola Jokic: 1 (2023 vs. Miami Heat)
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1 (2021 vs. Phoenix Suns)
Nikola Jokic secured his first NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets last season. In a Finals series where the Miami Heat surprised the league by reaching the decisive stage, Jokic’s Nuggets emerged victorious with a 4-1 series win, marking a historic moment for the city of Denver.
Antetokounmpo clinched his NBA championship in 2021 against the Suns. Phoenix had won the first two games, seemingly sealing their fate, but the Greek Freak and his Bucks went on to win four straight games, securing the championship. It was Giannis’ first NBA title, and he’s determined to return to the top of the league in 2023/24.
Finals MVP Awards
Nikola Jokic: 1 (2023 vs. Miami Heat)
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1 (2021 vs. Phoenix Suns)
Nikola Jokic earned the Finals MVP accolade after averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists on 58/42/83 shooting splits in the Finals against the Heat last year. This award marked Jokic’s first Finals MVP in his career, and he’s set to defend his throne in 2023/24 against even hungrier competitors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in six games in the 2021 NBA Finals against the Suns. His remarkable 50-point performance in the decisive game left no doubt about his status as the Finals MVP. The Greek Freak propelled the Bucks to the top of the league that season, a position he aims to reclaim after losing the crown the following year.
MVP Awards
Nikola Jokic: 2 (2021, 2022)
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 2 (2019, 2020)
In this category, both European superstars remain evenly matched. Giannis Antetokounmpo was crowned MVP of the regular season in 2019, edging out James Harden. He achieved this honor by averaging 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in 72 games during the 2018-19 season. Additionally, he was selected for his third All-Star Game, and the Bucks finished atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 60-22.
The following year, Giannis maintained his excellence with averages of 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 63 games during the 2019-20 season. He earned his fourth All-Star selection and secured his first Defensive Player of the Year award, in addition to winning his second MVP award. The Bucks once again held the best record in the East, finishing with a 56-17 record.
Nikola Jokic was honored with the regular-season MVP award in 2020-21. He averaged career highs in points (26.4) and assists (8.3) while matching his personal best in rebounds (10.8). Jokic also showcased impressive shooting percentages, hitting 56.6% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc, as the Nuggets finished third in the Western Conference.
In 2021-22, the Joker repeated as the league’s MVP, posting averages of 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 74 games. He earned his fourth All-Star Game selection and ended the season with the Nuggets in the sixth position in the West, holding a record of 48-34.
Defensive Player Of The Year Awards
Nikola Jokic: 0
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1 (2020)
Giannis Antetokounmpo has demonstrated himself as one of the premier help defenders in the NBA, whether it’s guarding the paint or defending on the perimeter. In recent years, he has consistently ranked among the league’s top defenders, earning a reputation for his tenacity on the defensive end. His excellent 2019/20 MVP season also resulted in him being honored with the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, a feat achieved by only a select few in NBA history. Giannis averaged 13.6 rebounds that season, along with 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks, placing him in an elite class of players who excelled in both categories during the 2019/20 season.
Nikola Jokic has never been considered an elite defender, and as such, he has never come close to winning the regular-season Defensive Player of the Year award. However, his one-on-one defensive skills have improved significantly over time, and he has made crucial stops in clutch moments, proving to be better on the defensive side of the court than he’s given credit for.
Scoring Titles
Nikola Jokic: 0
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 0
Neither player has secured a scoring title in the league thus far. Giannis Antetokounmpo came close last season with the highest average of his career (31.1 PPG) but ultimately finished behind Joel Embiid (33.1 PPG) in the race for the award.
Giannis finished second in the race in 2021-22, behind Joel Embiid. Last season he was fifth on the list while having his best scoring season ever, but ultimately couldn´t seal the deal. It is very realistic that Giannis will win one scoring title in the next few years. On the other side, Nikola Jokic’s highest-scoring season was in 2021-22 with 27.1 points on average. It is unrealistic that Jokic will ever win a scoring title because of his unselfish style of play.
All-Star Selections
Nikola Jokic: 5
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 7
Giannis has been a fixture on All-Star teams since the 2016-17 season. During his rookie All-Star season, Antetokounmpo averaged 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 80 games. Since then, he has been a regular selection and even served as a captain in the All-Star Draft with the NBA’s new format.
Nikola Jokic has been a consistent NBA All-Star since the 2019 season. In his debut All-Star season, the Joker averaged 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in 80 games. He has been selected for five consecutive campaigns and is among the elite group of players chosen for the league’s showcase weekend.
All-NBA Teams
Nikola Jokic: 5
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 7
Similar to their All-Star selections, Giannis has been a fixture on All-NBA teams since the 2016/17 season, earning Second Team honors in his debut season and First Team selections from 2018/19 (when he won his first MVP) through the most recent 2022/23 season.
As for Jokic, his All-NBA team nominations have coincided with his All-Star appearances. Jokic earned First Team honors in his rookie All-Star season in 2018/19, a distinction he repeated in 2021 and 2022. He also secured a spot on the All-NBA Second Team in 2020 and 2023.
All-Defensive Teams
Nikola Jokic: 0
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 5
Despite his tremendous offensive contributions, Nikola Jokic has never been considered a strong candidate for NBA All-Defensive team selections. However, he has shown improvement in one-on-one defense over time.
In contrast, Giannis Antetokounmpo has consistently excelled on the defensive end, earning All-Defensive First Team honors from 2019 to 2022, as well as a Second Team selection in 2017. Giannis has established himself as a tenacious defender in the paint and has made significant strides in perimeter defense against some of the league’s top stars.
Total Win Shares
Nikola Jokic: 94.53
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 96.11
As of the latest available data, Giannis Antetokounmpo boasts an impressive Total Win Shares of 96.11. This statistic underscores his remarkable ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. Giannis is renowned for his athleticism, versatility, and defensive prowess. His capacity to score, rebound, facilitate for teammates, and defend at an elite level has made him a cornerstone player for the Milwaukee Bucks.
On the other hand, Nikola Jokic’s Total Win Shares stand at 94.53. Jokic is often lauded for his exceptional passing ability as a center and his basketball IQ. He plays a unique style of basketball, serving as a point center who orchestrates his team’s offense. Jokic’s uncanny court vision and playmaking skills set him apart in the league.
Career Player Efficiency Rating
Nikola Jokic: 27.65 (2nd All-Time)
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 24.92 (10th All-Time)
Nikola Jokic’s PER of 27.65 places him in an exclusive category, ranking him second all-time in this metric. Jokic’s PER is a testament to his incredible versatility as a center. He possesses exceptional skills as a passer, scorer, and rebounder. His ability to impact nearly every facet of the game while maintaining remarkable efficiency makes him one of the most unique players in the history of the league. Jokic’s high PER reflects his status as an offensive maestro and a key contributor to the Denver Nuggets.
On the other hand, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s PER of 24.92 is equally impressive, ranking him tenth all-time. Giannis is celebrated for his incredible athleticism, versatility, and ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. His PER reflects his all-around contributions, including scoring, rebounding, shot-blocking, and playmaking. Giannis has been the driving force behind the Milwaukee Bucks’ success, leading them to an NBA championship in 2021.
Final Score
Giannis Antetokounmpo 5-1 Nikola Jokic
Both players are recognized superstars and are currently two of the most dominant forces in the NBA. While Giannis holds a significant advantage in defensive prowess, Nikola Jokic is arguably the best offensive force in the world at the moment.
Giannis established himself as the face of the NBA for a period of seasons until Jokic’s rise. When Nikola won two consecutive MVPs and started accumulating significant accolades, the conversation between the two Europeans became much closer. Antetokounmpo may not possess the same offensive firepower as Jokic, but defensively, he has a significant edge, making him one of the best two-way players in the league.
With the Joker currently reigning as the top player in the NBA heading into the 2023/24 season, it will be fascinating to watch their MVP race unfold, especially with the addition of Damian Lillard to the Bucks. Denver has retained its key pieces, and with Jokic in his prime, they have a strong chance of returning to the Finals.
