Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA right now.
He was also not the most deserving MVP candidate, according to some.
Both statements are valid, and they can both coexist.
Apparently, that’s how Shaquille O’Neal feels.
Shortly after the award was announced, the legendary big man stated that as great as Jokic is, he thinks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should’ve won the trophy (Via NBA on TNT).
“I don’t like to rain on people’s parade, but I’m not happy with this one. …I felt Shai deserved it,” O’Neal said.
“I don’t like to rain on people’s parade, but I’m not happy with this one. …I felt Shai deserved it.”@SHAQ reacts to Jokic winning MVP pic.twitter.com/JwtiPOsFyu
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 8, 2024
Truth be told, he might be right.
It’s impossible to take anything away from Jokic, who some people thought was robbed of the award last season and should’ve won three — or even four — in a row by now.
But we’re talking about a two-way star who helped the Oklahoma City Thunder become the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history.
Of course, Jokic’s numbers were like something out of a video game, and Shai only bested him in points and steals per game, but there’s no objective definition of what an MVP is.
Is it the undisputed best player in the league?
Is it the best player on the best team?
Is it the guy with the fanciest numbers?
Or is it the player whose team would’ve not even made the playoffs without him?
Depending on that, chances are we could’ve had four different MVPs every single year.
At the end of the day, we have just too much elite talent in today’s game, so it’s impossible to please everybody.
That puts into context just how incredibly dominant Stephen Curry was when he won the award unanimously.
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