Watch the awkward moment Shaquille O’Neal tells Nikola Jokic which OTHER player deserved NBA MVP award
- 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 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson for the prestigious honor.
During NBA Tip-Off 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 no disrespect to you. Congratulations.’
Shaquille O’Neal openly told Nikola Jokic that he didn’t deserve to win the NBA MVP award
Jokic earned his third MVP trophy, beating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic
Meanwhile, the Serbian smiled awkwardly before responding to O’Neal’s sentiments with a joke.
‘Thank you, Sjaak. We don’t judge people here, you know, so that’s fine,” Jokic said with a chuckle. “Really, there are a lot of players who deserve it.”
“All good,” O’Neal replied. ‘I love you, I love your brothers. One thing we will always do is keep it real with each other.”
Jokic has won three of the last four MVPs after Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid claimed the crown last year. This made The Joker 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 secured a second-place finish 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 while shooting 58.3 percent
Jokic and the Nuggets are currently 0-2 behind Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves
After knocking off the Lakers in a gentleman’s sweep in the opening 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 celebration, Jokic emphasized the importance of getting his team back on track in the playoffs and avoiding a second-round exit.
“We had a tough stretch, losing two games at home against Minnesota,” Jokic told the TNT crew. ‘We leave tomorrow. We’re going to Minnesota to try to get the series back to Denver.”