This Wednesday evening, Nikola Jokic was named the 2023/24 MVP for the third time in his career, sparking varied reactions across the NBA. Shortly after receiving the award, the Nuggets center spoke to the Inside the NBA panel to share his initial thoughts.
During the interview, Shaquille O’Neal expressed his opinion, stating that while he believed someone else deserved the MVP title, he still congratulated Jokic. Shaq highlighted his respect and love for Jokic, despite personally favoring another player for the award.
The former Lakers star then questioned Jokic about his team’s strategy against Minnesota in the conference semifinals. Jokic responded playfully to Shaq’s earlier comments about the MVP decision and emphasized the importance of respecting differing opinions.
Despite competition from players like Luka Doncic, Jokic secured the MVP with 79 out of 99 first-place votes, showcasing his standout performances throughout the season. His achievements make him the first center in six decades to win the MVP three times in four consecutive seasons.
Jokic Makes History
At 29 years old, Jokic has now become the ninth player in NBA history to achieve multiple MVP awards, joining a prestigious list of basketball legends. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Jokic credited his teammates and the entire organization for their collective success.
Commenting on Jokic’s consistent excellence, his coach Michael Malone praised his ongoing development and impact on the team’s performance over the past several years.
The 2023-24 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player is… Nikola Jokic!#NBAAwards | #KiaMVP | @Kia pic.twitter.com/vvgSrHCHU9
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2024
