Nikola Jokić, the two-time NBA MVP and superstar center for the Denver Nuggets, has established himself as one of the most dominant and unique players in NBA history. His skillset, which blends incredible basketball IQ, exceptional passing, scoring, and rebounding, has revolutionized the center position and shifted the narrative around what makes a player “dominant.” However, one area where Jokić’s dominance has been particularly felt is in his relationship with the mainstream media, especially ESPN.

For years, ESPN has been the leading sports network in the United States, offering coverage and analysis of the NBA, among other major sports. However, despite Jokić’s remarkable play, there has been a growing sense among basketball fans that the Serbian big man has been unfairly underappreciated and undervalued by the network. Whether it’s through the narrative-driven coverage of the NBA MVP race or the constant comparison of Jokić to other superstars, it seems that ESPN has struggled to fully acknowledge the greatness of Jokić in the way it does with other players.

But in recent years, Jokić has made his case on the court—and in a way that’s now forcing ESPN and other outlets to reckon with his undeniable impact. Let’s dive into how Nikola Jokić is “destroying” ESPN’s narrative and reshaping the future of NBA media coverage.

The MVP Disrespect: Why ESPN Got It Wrong

Nikola Jokić’s MVP campaigns in 2021 and 2022 were some of the most dominant individual performances in recent memory. In 2021, Jokić led the Nuggets to a 47-25 record while averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game—an unprecedented stat line for a center. Yet despite his incredible production, ESPN’s coverage was heavily tilted towards players from larger market teams, like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Jokić being frequently overshadowed. Many analysts on the network failed to acknowledge his historic all-around play and instead focused on other narratives.

In 2022, when Jokić won his second consecutive MVP award, the media landscape, including ESPN, was still reluctant to fully embrace his greatness. Critics pointed to the lack of a deep playoff run and the fact that the Nuggets were missing key players like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. as reasons not to give him the award. Despite this, Jokić continued to deliver night after night, leading a Denver team that had no business being a contender without its full roster.

Even now, with the Nuggets’ success continuing, the coverage from ESPN and other mainstream networks often focuses on flashy, highlight-driven narratives about other superstars, like Luka Dončić, Giannis, or Stephen Curry. ESPN’s obsession with the “next big thing” often leaves Jokić’s achievements in the shadows, forcing him to earn his respect the hard way—through continued dominance on the court.

The “Traditional” NBA Narrative and Jokić’s Playmaking Revolution

One of the areas where Jokić’s brilliance clashes with ESPN’s established narrative is in the traditional understanding of what an MVP-caliber player should be. In the past, MVPs were often expected to be high-flying, highlight-reel superstars—players who made the biggest impact with their athleticism, scoring, and sheer physicality. This was particularly evident in the way ESPN treated players like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who could wow fans with their dunking ability and physical dominance.

Jokić, however, has fundamentally shifted this understanding. As a 7-foot-tall center, he doesn’t rely on jaw-dropping athleticism or explosive plays. Instead, he rewrote the blueprint for the modern big man, acting as an elite passer, facilitator, and playmaker in a way never before seen from someone at his position. His ability to orchestrate offense, akin to a point guard, has made him one of the most versatile players in the league. But rather than fully embracing this innovation, ESPN and other media outlets have often been slow to adjust.

Instead of celebrating Jokić’s evolution of the center position, much of the network’s coverage continues to focus on traditional metrics of success, such as scoring and athletic ability. This has led to a general reluctance to crown Jokić as a true superstar in the traditional sense. He is a player who excels at things that don’t always make it to the highlight reel, but his impact is undeniable—and yet ESPN’s coverage still occasionally overlooks his groundbreaking influence.

The Reigning NBA Champion: Jokić’s Recent Dominance

While ESPN’s focus on flashy narratives and traditional superstars may have contributed to Jokić’s underappreciation, the 2023 NBA Finals changed that. Jokić and the Denver Nuggets dominated the Miami Heat, clinching their first-ever NBA championship. Jokić’s performance throughout the series was nothing short of legendary—he averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, putting on a clinic in both scoring and playmaking.

The Finals victory was the culmination of years of brilliance and a validation of Jokić’s approach to the game. His ability to elevate his teammates, control the pace of the game, and contribute in every facet of play made him arguably the best player in the series, and perhaps in the entire league. In the wake of the championship win, ESPN and other networks were forced to reassess their views on Jokić. The narrative that had previously downplayed his greatness was hard to maintain in the face of undeniable success.

With Jokić leading the Nuggets to the top of the NBA mountain, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for ESPN to ignore him any longer. His performance during the 2023 Finals proved that he is not just an elite player but the face of a franchise that now has a championship to its name. It’s no longer possible to disregard his brilliance, even if the network has been slow to fully embrace it.

Jokić’s Influence Beyond ESPN

The impact of Jokić’s rise isn’t just limited to ESPN’s coverage. His style of play is changing the way younger players approach the game. Aspiring big men are now looking to model their game after Jokić’s exceptional passing, vision, and basketball IQ, rather than focusing solely on raw athleticism or scoring ability. This shift in priorities has had a ripple effect across the league, forcing both analysts and coaches to rethink what it means to be a dominant player in today’s NBA.

Furthermore, Jokić’s leadership on the court and his ability to make his teammates better has challenged the narrative that superstar players need to be self-centered or ball-dominant to win championships. His unselfish approach to the game and his ability to elevate the play of others has made the Nuggets one of the most cohesive teams in the league, and their championship victory proves that a more team-oriented style can lead to the ultimate success.

Conclusion: Jokić is Rewriting the Narrative

Nikola Jokić’s rise to the top of the NBA is nothing short of revolutionary. His dominance on the court, coupled with his unique skillset and unassuming demeanor, has forced ESPN and other major media outlets to reconsider the way they cover the game. While traditional narratives may have ignored him in the past, Jokić’s continued brilliance has forced the media to reckon with his greatness.

As Jokić continues to lead the Nuggets into the future, his legacy is becoming increasingly impossible to deny. And while ESPN and other mainstream outlets may have taken their time to embrace him fully, the truth is clear: Nikola Jokić is not only the best player in the NBA but is also fundamentally changing the way basketball is played and covered. The days of underappreciating his greatness are over—Jokić is here to stay, and he’s destroying any narrative that tries to keep him down.