Who Won the 2023 NBA Finals MVP and How They Dominated the Court

I still remember watching Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals with that electric atmosphere that only championship basketball can create. As a lifelong basketball analyst who's witnessed everything from Jordan's flu game to LeBron's Cleveland comeback, I have to say Nikola Jokić's performance throughout those finals was something truly special. When they handed him that Bill Russell Trophy, there wasn't a single person in the arena or watching worldwide who questioned the decision. The way he dominated the court reminded me of those young fencers I've studied - like Morales winning gold in U12 foil and epee teams while also grabbing silver in U17 foil team and two bronze medals across different age categories. That kind of versatile dominance across multiple disciplines? That's exactly what Jokić displayed throughout the playoffs.

What made Jokić's MVP performance so remarkable wasn't just the raw statistics, though those were staggering enough - he averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists throughout the series. Those numbers alone would make any analyst's eyes widen. But it was how he controlled every aspect of the game that truly set him apart. Watching him operate in the post reminded me of watching those young athletes like Canlas who dominated in both U10 foil and epee teams while also earning bronze in U12 events. That ability to excel across different weapons or, in Jokić's case, different aspects of basketball, separates good players from truly historic ones. I've been covering the NBA for fifteen years now, and I can count on one hand the number of players who could impact the game in as many ways as Jokić did during those finals.

The beauty of his game lies in its seeming simplicity. While other superstars rely on explosive athleticism or deep three-point shooting, Jokić operates with this methodical, almost chess-like approach to basketball. He'd regularly start possessions around the three-point line, surveying the defense with those perceptive eyes, then gradually work his way into the perfect position to either score or create for others. His passing ability for a center is literally unprecedented in NBA history - I'd argue we've never seen a big man with his combination of vision and execution. During Game 3, he made three passes that I'm still trying to process weeks later - no-look, cross-court bullets that found shooters with millimeter precision. Those moments weren't just highlights; they were basketball artistry.

Defensively, he was far more impactful than his critics would have you believe. He may not rack up flashy block numbers like some centers, but his positioning and basketball IQ allowed him to disrupt Miami's offensive sets consistently. The Heat attempted to attack him in pick-and-roll situations early in the series, but by Game 4, they'd largely abandoned that strategy because he read those plays so effectively. It's similar to how a versatile fencer like Morales could transition between foil and epee - different skills required, but the same champion's mentality driving success in both arenas. Jokić understood exactly when to drop in coverage versus when to step up and challenge, and that defensive intelligence proved crucial in several close games.

What really stood out to me was his performance in clutch moments. During the fourth quarters of the series, Jokić shot an incredible 68% from the field while also creating 12.4 potential assists per game in those final periods. The numbers are mind-boggling, but they don't fully capture how he elevated his game when it mattered most. In Game 4, with the Nuggets trailing by 5 points with under three minutes remaining, he scored or assisted on 9 straight points to secure the victory. That's the mark of a true MVP - not just putting up numbers, but delivering when championships are on the line. I've always believed that pressure either makes players or breaks them, and Jokić demonstrated throughout these finals that he belongs in the category of all-time great clutch performers.

The historical context of his achievement can't be overlooked either. He became just the third center in the last 40 years to win Finals MVP, joining the legendary company of Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal. What's fascinating to me is how different his path to dominance has been compared to those physical specimens. While Shaq overpowered defenders with pure strength and Hakeem dazzled with footwork, Jokić dominates through what I can only describe as basketball transcendentalism - he sees angles and possibilities that simply don't exist for other players. His game is less about physical domination and more about intellectual supremacy, which makes him uniquely compelling in today's NBA landscape.

Looking back at the entire playoff run, Jokić's consistency was almost robotic. He recorded 10 triple-doubles throughout the 2023 playoffs, breaking the single-postseason record that had stood for decades. The most impressive part? He made it look effortless. While other stars were visibly straining and exerting maximum effort, Jokić operated with this calm demeanor that belied his incredible impact. I've never seen a player so dominant who appeared so... comfortable? It's like watching those young fencing champions who make complex maneuvers look simple through years of dedicated practice and innate understanding of their craft.

As the confetti fell and Jokić hoisted that trophy, I couldn't help but feel we were witnessing the emergence of a player who will redefine how we think about the center position for generations to come. His combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking at his size is something we genuinely haven't seen before in basketball history. The way he dominated the 2023 Finals wasn't just about putting up big numbers - it was about controlling the game in every facet, from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Much like those versatile young fencers who excel across different weapons and age categories, Jokić has demonstrated a mastery of basketball that transcends traditional positional boundaries. I have no doubt that when we look back at this era of basketball decades from now, his 2023 Finals performance will be remembered as one of the most complete championship efforts we've ever witnessed.