Jokic Moves Up MVP Share List; Durant Addresses Rockets’ Isolation Woes; Clippers Strengthen Second Unit
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Denver center Nikola Jokic continues to rewrite the NBA record book. According to ESPN’s Zach Kram, the three-time Most Valuable Player has climbed to seventh place on Basketball Reference’s all-time MVP award-share leaderboard after collecting three MVP trophies and two runner-up finishes over the past five seasons. The jump puts Jokic ahead of Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Kram projects that another top-tier finish in the 2025-26 campaign would push Jokic past Bill Russell and Magic Johnson. Two more seasons at his current pace could elevate him above Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, leaving only LeBron James and Michael Jordan ahead of the 29-year-old star.
Durant Gives Houston a Late-Game Scorer
The Houston Rockets finished 22nd in half-court scoring efficiency last season, the lowest mark among 2024 playoff teams. Isolation play was a particular problem for Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson and Jalen Green, each of whom struggled to generate quality looks against set defenses.
Houston addressed that weakness by acquiring Kevin Durant, who led the league at 1.21 points per possession in isolation situations in 2023-24. With Durant expected to control late-game possessions, the Rockets anticipate a markedly different offensive profile in 2025-26.
Clippers Shore Up Depth Behind Stars
The Los Angeles Clippers posted elite numbers when their starters were on the floor last season but saw production crater whenever Ivica Zubac or Kawhi Leonard rested. The front office responded with an active offseason, signing Brook Lopez as a backup center, inking Bradley Beal and Chris Paul to team-friendly contracts, and trading for John Collins to add frontcourt versatility.
While Los Angeles remains one of the NBA’s older rosters and faces a crowded Western Conference field, the new additions are designed to keep the club competitive when its marquee players take a seat.
Source: Hoops Wire
