Photo Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Derrick Rose Finished Ahead Of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard & James Harden In MVP Voting

Yesterday, Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic was named the deserving NBA MVP of the 2020-21 season. While his victory was 100% the right decision, it wasn’t unanimous.

Out of the 100 first place votes, Jokic received 91, with Stephen Curry getting five, Chris Paul two, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Derrick Rose picking up one first place vote.

Rose? Yes Derrick Rose. This first place vote had him landed ahead of LeBron James, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard in the MVP race.

While Rose definitely played a great season and was a key figure in the Knicks’ success – he even helped turnaround their season – a first place MVP vote does seem a little too much. That’s why, after seeing these results, many fans started to wonder who exactly ended up giving Rose their first place vote.

That is when Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press made things a little clearer. Apparently, that vote for Derrick Rose was a consensus fan vote and did not come from the media.

Jokic wins, Embiid 2nd, Curry 3rd.

Derrick Rose got an MVP first-place vote. League source tells AP it was not from media; it was the consensus fan vote.

And LeBron James’ streak continues: 18 years with at least one MVP vote.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 8, 2021