Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Famer isn't happy about Nikola Jokic winning NBA MVP Award

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/9/24

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was named the winner of the 2023-24 NBA MVP Award on Wednesday, the third of his already outstanding career. While most didn't find an issue with the decision, Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal wasn't bashful about sharing his displeasure.

Shortly after the announcement, O'Neal said he "wasn't happy with this one" before explaining why Oklahoma City Thunder standout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should've been the league's MVP.

"One of only a few players to have 30 points 50 times, a stat-stuffer, great season — his team is No. 1, nobody expected them to be No. 1 — I thought Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was going to win it by far," 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

O'Neal, who has finished as the runner-up in the MVP race several times, seemed to sympathize with Gilgeous-Alexander, saying he hopes it motivates the OKC star to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy this year. Whether he sees a little of himself in the budding superstar, O'Neal's points aren't without merit.

Gilgeous-Alexander is one of only 14 players in NBA history to score at least 30 points in 50 or more games during a season, per Stathead. To further emphasize how lofty of an accomplishment that is, aside from the three active players on the list — James Harden, Luka Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander — the rest are Hall of Famers, including Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

Of course, the MVP Award is a regular-season honor, but the argument for Gilgeous-Alexander over Jokic has bled into the postseason. Following Tuesday night's 117-95 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, OKC has yet to lose a playoff game, going 5-0 so far. Meanwhile, the defending champion Nuggets are down 0-2 to the Minnesota Timberwolves heading into a road tilt for Game 3 on Friday.

Furthermore, the differences are slim when looking at each player's stat lines. After averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists during the regular season, Jokic has posted 27 points, 15 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game in the postseason. Conversely, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 30.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds during the regular season but kept the same momentum into the playoffs, averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the point guard position.

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