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NBA MVP Voting 2021 Results: Who Won and How the Selection Process Worked
2025-11-04 19:13
I remember sitting in my favorite armchair last May, the glow of the television casting blue shadows across my living room. The playoffs were heating up, and my friends kept debating who would take home the MVP trophy. We'd been here before—year after year, watching incredible athletes push their teams toward greatness, only to fall just short of the ultimate prize. It reminded me of something I'd once heard a veteran coach say about his star player: "Ang dami namang beses na dinala na rin tayo niyan sa championship. Nabibitin lang pero may rason ang lahat." So many times he carried us to the championship. We always came up short, but there's a reason for everything.
That phrase echoed in my mind as I watched Nikola Jokic receive the 2021 NBA MVP award with 91 first-place votes—an overwhelming majority that left no doubt about his dominance that season. The Serbian center had carried the Denver Nuggets through what could have been a disastrous year after Jamal Murray's ACL tear, putting up staggering numbers: 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. What struck me most wasn't just the statistics but how he transformed his team's entire offensive system, becoming the hub around which everything revolved. The voting process itself fascinated me—100 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the US and Canada, each submitting a ballot with five names, using a points system where first-place votes counted for 10 points, second for 7, third for 5, fourth for 3, and fifth for 1.
Joel Embiid finished second with 586 total points to Jokic's 971, and honestly, part of me felt for the Philadelphia big man. He'd been absolutely phenomenal until his knee injury in March, and I remember thinking how different the race might have looked if he'd stayed healthy. But that's the beauty and cruelty of sports—sometimes circumstances beyond your control shape the narrative. Stephen Curry landed in third with 453 points after his scoring explosion in the second half of the season, including that unforgettable 49-point game against the 76ers where he seemed to be shooting from another zip code.
The selection process has always intrigued me because it's not just about numbers—it's about storylines, momentum, and what voters value most. Does team success matter more than individual brilliance? How much should injuries to teammates factor in? I've always leaned toward rewarding players who elevate their teams despite challenges, which is why Jokic felt like the right choice to me. His Nuggets finished 47-25, good for third in the competitive Western Conference, despite missing their second-best player for the entire stretch run. That "nabibitin lang" feeling—coming up just short—could have defined their season, but Jokic refused to let it.
Looking back, what made the 2021 NBA MVP voting particularly memorable was how it highlighted different philosophies about value. Some voters prioritized carrying a heavy offensive load, others focused on two-way impact, and many valued availability—Jokic didn't miss a single game all season. The final tally showed 91 first-place votes for Jokic, 1 for Embiid, and 1 for Curry, with the remaining 7 scattered among other candidates. That near-unanimous recognition speaks volumes about how special his season was, even if his team wouldn't ultimately win the championship. There's always a reason things unfold the way they do, and in 2021, the reason was simple—we were watching one of the most uniquely gifted big men in basketball history redefine what's possible at the center position.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
