Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Moses Malone are who Nikola Jokic joined today with his third MVP award. Players around the league rejoiced at the Joker’s milestone, but not everybody seemed happy. Shaquille O’Neal was one of those vocal critics who said it to the three-time MVP’s face that, “ I thought that SGA [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] should have been the MVP.” 

While many fans thought of it as blatant disrespect, other people agreed with his take. Particularly, Stephen A. Smith joins Shaq in his disappointment about Jokic taking home the award. In a recent expert shared by X account of ‘First Take’, Smith voices his opinion loud and clear saying, “I don’t see how [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] didn’t get this award. He deserved it.”

However, this is not where the criticism ends. Stephen A. adds, ” I have vote. He(Jokic) did not get my vote. My vote went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who I think should have been the worthy recipient of this award. The ‘First Take’ host does concede that he doesn’t want people to think Jokic isn’t “worthy”, rather Shai had the better season.

He elaborated by saying, “He(Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) was the third leading scorer this year averaging 30. He scored over 30 in more than 50 games this year. He’s the third leading scorer in the league, he’s one of the top leaders in the league in steals, field goal percentage shooting, etc. The Oklahoma City Thunders are one of the top two youngest teams in the entire NBA, and they were the number one seed. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has everything to do with that.”

Still, it’s not just SGA, there is something else also that threatens mar Jokic’s third MVP.

Nikola Jokic’s third MVP is on the verge of being tarnished

Currently, the Nuggets are 2-0 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the semi-finals of the Western Conference. What’s more concerning is that the series is heading towards a complete sweep. This is because both the wins came in the Nuggets home court and now they head to Minnesota.

Anthony Edwards’s effortless offense combined with their lock-down defense even without Rudy Gobert has managed to choke the Nuggets to the point of frustration. In game two this was evident as coach Mike Malone lost his temper, and Jamal Murray also restored to questionable actions on the court.

If the T-Wolves end up sweeping the Nuggets, it will give credence to the fact Shaq and Stephen A. Smith are putting forever staining Jokic’s third MVP season in doubt. What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments down below.