The announcement of the Most Valuable Player MVP is a moment of high anticipation and celebration. It is a time when the achievements of the league’s best are recognized and honored. However, this year’s NBA MVP announcement was met with an unexpected twist, courtesy of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
After Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was announced as the regular season MVP for the third time in four years, Shaq, during the NBA Tip-Off on TNT, took a moment to congratulate Jokic but also expressed his belief that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder deserved the award.
Shaq’s comment came as a surprise to many, as it is unusual for such opinions to be aired publicly, especially directly to the awardee. Shaq stated,
“I want you to hear from me first, but I think that SGA should have been the MVP. No disrespect to you.”
Shaquille O’Neal Telling Nikola Jokic He Didn’t Deserve MVP Award, On Live TV, Was Completely Uncalled For pic.twitter.com/QAVDeDHOrp
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) May 9, 2024
While Shaq is entitled to his opinion, the timing and platform used to express it have raised questions about sportsmanship and respect. The MVP announcement is a moment of recognition for the player’s hard work and dedication throughout the season. By suggesting that another player was more deserving, Shaq’s comments could be seen as overshadowing Jokic’s moment of triumph.
The MVP award is decided by a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, and while individual statistics are a significant factor, the award also considers the player’s impact on their team’s success. Jokic’s impressive averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game were instrumental in his win. SGA’s remarkable season, with averages of 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, was also noteworthy, especially considering the Thunder’s unexpected rise to the top of the standings.
