- Nikola Jokic became the ninth player in NBA history with three MVP trophies
- The Joker has won three of the last four MVPs after Joel Embiid won last year
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While Shaquille O’Neal is undeniably proud of Nikola Jokic for being crowned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, he didn’t hesitate to tell the Nuggets center that he didn’t deserve the award.
On Wednesday, Jokic earned his third MVP, beating out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson for the prestigious honor.
During the NBA’s announcement on TNT, O’Neal congratulated his fellow big man. However, Diesel told The Joker that the Oklahoma City star, who finished second in the voting, should have been named MVP.
“You know I love you, you’re the best player in the league,” O’Neal told Jokic. “I want to congratulate you, but I want you to hear it from me first.”
‘I thought SGA should have been the MVP. That’s not disrespectful. Congratulations.’
Shaquille O’Neal openly told Nikola Jokic that he didn’t deserve to win the NBA MVP award
Jokic won his third MVP trophy, beating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic
Meanwhile, the Serbian smiled awkwardly before responding to O’Neal’s feelings with a joke.
‘Thank you, Shaq. We don’t judge people here, you know, so it’s okay,” Jokic said with a smile. “The truth is, there are a lot of players who deserve it.”
“All good,” O’Neal responded. ‘I love you, I love your brothers. One thing we will always do is keep sincerity between us.’
Jokic has won three of the last four MVPs after Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid took the crown last year. In doing so, The Joker became the ninth player in NBA history to win three MVP trophies.
In his eighth season, Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and nine assists while shooting 58.3 percent from the field as the Nuggets claimed second place in the Western Conference.
O’Neal insisted the Oklahoma City star, who finished second, should have won the award
Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and nine assists on 58.3 percent shooting.
Jokic and the Nuggets currently trail Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves, 0-2
After eliminating the Lakers in a gentlemen’s sweep in the first round, Jokic and the Nuggets find themselves in an 0-2 hole against another MVP candidate in Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.
While his MVP win deserves a celebration, Jokic stressed the importance of getting his team back on track in the playoffs and avoiding a second-round exit.
“We had a tough stretch, we lost two games at home against Minnesota,” Jokic told the TNT crew. ‘Tomorrow we leave. “We’re going to Minnesota to try to get the series back to Denver.”