SUMMARY
- Nikola Jokic was voted MVP for the third time in four years.
- Shaquille O'Neal believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserved the title over Jokic.
Shaquille O’Neal has always been someone who stands firm in his opinions despite the backlash he tends to receive. Recently, the NBA announced this year’s league MVP and the winner was Nikola Jokic. After the NBA started dishing out the award in the 1950s, only three players from outside the United States got the opportunity to raise it. However, since 2019, the award has been handed out to three international players.
For the THIRD time, Nikola Jokić is the NBA’s Most Valuable Player 🃏 pic.twitter.com/8648dJsbbZ
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 8, 2024
Jokic won three MVPs in the last four seasons. This season, he averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9 assists per game during the regular season. He ranked in the top ten in points while hovering around the top five in rebounds and assists per game. Jokic recorded 25 triple-doubles and 68 double-doubles which is the second most this season in both categories. However, Shaq doesn’t feel too happy about him winning it this season.
Shaquille O’Neal believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had the best regular season
According to Shaquille O’Neal, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s point guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had the best regular season run. He said, “I don’t like to rain on people’s parade, but I’m not happy with this one. Congratulations to Joker, you’re the best big man in the league but based on everybody’s criteria… I felt Shai [Gilgeous] Alexander deserved it.” SGA averaged 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2 steals per game during the regular season while leading OKC to the top spot in the Western Conference.
O’Neal added, “I’ve been No.2 a lot when I played my a** off. So, the fact that he has to start all over next year and try to win it again… I know it’s going to be hurtful for him. I hope he uses this to motivate him to win a championship.” Shaq only believes Shai was more deserving of the award because he led the OKC to the top spot after the team missed the playoffs last season.
Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley get into a heated debate on the MVP title
Charles Barkley doubled down on Shaquille O’Neal’s comments saying two other players should’ve been voted for, Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson. He also added, “Every year idiots get on TV and talk about who’s the best player. It never goes to the best player. It goes to who had the best regular season. Shaq says he got robbed, I don’t know if he got robbed.”
The 4x NBA Champion took major offense to it and said, “I got robbed.” Chuck immediately responded by saying the MVP should go to the player who has the best regular season. “You know what, don’t name the [title] Most Valuable Player then,” Shaq replied. Both individuals brought out some valid points, however, SGA certainly has a winning record over the Nuggets. This adds more credibility to Shaq’s argument.
Nikola Jokic got 79/99 1st place votes for MVP. pic.twitter.com/TkaiXPbViV
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) May 8, 2024
Jokic finished with 79 first-place votes this year. SGA accumulated 15 first-place votes while getting 40 for second and third place as well. Luka Doncic finished with an underwhelming total of four first-place votes and Giannis Antetokounmpo had only one.