Shaq tells Nikola Jokic he didn't deserve MVP award on live tv
Shaq told Nikola Jokic that he didn’t deserve to win the NBA’s MVP award
TNT’s ‘Inside The NBA’ got a bit awkward on Wednesday night.
The NBA MVP award should have gone to the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander according to Shaq.
Shaq’s shocking comments towards Jokic
On Wednesday, the NBA crowned Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic as the 2023-24 MVP, marking his third prestigious title in his career.
However, the celebration took an unexpected twist when basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal voiced his dissenting opinion, arguing that Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the rightful recipient of the coveted award.
During the latest episode of TNT’s “Inside The NBA,” Shaq didn’t mince words, asserting his belief that Gilgeous-Alexander deserved the MVP over Jokic.
He reiterated his stance, even when directly addressing Jokic, stating, “You know I love you. You’re the best player in the league. I want to congratulate you. But I want you to hear it from me first; I thought that SGA should have been the MVP; that’s no disrespect to you.”
The exchange between Shaq and Jokic was undeniably awkward, with Jokic responding diplomatically to Shaq’s remarks.
“We don’t judge people here, that’s fine it’s your opinion,” said Jokic.
While some NBA fans commended Shaq for voicing his opinion directly to Jokic, others criticized the move as unprofessional and classless.
Despite the backlash, Shaq remained steadfast in his perspective, maintaining that Jokic’s win was undeserved.
However, he did acknowledge Jokic’s undeniable talent, referring to him as “the best big man in the league by far.”
Nikola Jokic’s season speaks for itself
Jokic’s MVP win comes after a stellar season, where he averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game.
His contributions were instrumental in guiding the Nuggets to a successful campaign, securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
As the Nuggets face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA playoffs, Jokic’s focus remains on leading his team to victory, despite the lingering controversy surrounding his MVP win.
While Shaq’s remarks may have added fuel to the debate, there’s no denying that Jokic’s accolades speak for themselves, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier talents and placing him on a trajectory toward the Hall of Fame.
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