(Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has a very good chance of winning this season’s MVP.
In fact, most analysts agree that the prize is his to lose, meaning he will be a three-time Most Valuable Player.
But some people aren’t happy with that possibility, including former player Gilbert Arenas.
Speaking with Shannon Sharpe on Night Cap, Arenas had a bold claim about Jokic.
“He is the worst MVP winner in the last 40 years,” Arenas said.
“He is the worst MVP winner in the last 40 years.”
– Gilbert Arenas on Nikola Jokic
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 4, 2024
It’s not very clear why he feels that way but others also don’t like the idea of Jokic claiming his third MVP prize in four years.
Part of the issue is the fact that numerous followers of the league believe that Joel Embiid should be getting the award.
He is the reigning MVP, of course, and was playing some of the best basketball of his career when he got injured earlier this season.
Because of a new rule enacted by the league, Embiid is now ineligible to be MVP.
When he was eliminated from contention, Jokic’s chance to win rose immediately, but some people believe he is second-best behind Embiid.
There is no doubt that Jokic has been supremely dominant this year, averaging 26.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9 assists per game.
There is other competition for MVP, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic, but it looks like Jokic is going to walk away victorious again.
Arenas’ opinion is certainly harsh and he will have to defend it a lot in the months ahead, especially if Jokic ends up winning.
Because of the 65-game rule and Embiid’s season, this might be one of the most controversial MVP selections of all time.
The post Gilbert Arenas Makes Harsh Statement About Nikola Jokic appeared first on The Cold Wire.