Nikola Jokic won the Michael Jordan Trophy, awarded to the NBA’s most valuable player, for the third time in his career on Wednesday.
Luka Doncic and Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were the other finalists.
The poll was largely dominated by Jokic with 79 first-place votes compared to 15 for SGA in second place. Luka Doncic received only one vote for the first step.
Jokic, who previously earned the honor in 2019 and 2020, becomes the ninth player with at least three MVP awards, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Jordan and Bill Russell (five), Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James (four), as well as Moses Malone, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson (three).
In his ninth season in the league, the Denver Nuggets representative averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game, all statistics earning him a place in the top 10 of these leagues. categories. He made 25 triples and became the second player in history to have at least 2,000 points, 900 rebounds and 600 assists in a campaign.
Immediately after the winner was announced, former NBA star and network analyst TNTShaquille O’Neal took care to congratulate Jokic, but then shared that in his opinion, it was the representative of the Maple Leaf who should have inherited the title.
“I congratulate you Joker, you are the best center in the league,” he began. If I look at the different criteria, some of my criteria as well, I feel like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would have deserved it. »
“I was often No. 2,” he said, recalling his own years, “so the fact that he will have to start all over again next year, I know it must be heartbreaking for him. Here’s hoping he can use that motivation to win a championship. »
Jokic was on the air a few moments later at TNT to comment on this honor.
“I have to talk about my teammates, because without them, it would be impossible,” he humbly said. There are also the coaches and everyone in the organization. I couldn’t succeed in everything I do without them. »
SGA was a finalist for Most Improved Player last year and made another huge jump this season. He led the Thunder to first place in the Western Conference, where few people expected him. He managed to maintain an impressive average of 30.1 points this season.
Doncic led the league with 33.9 points per game this season. He also contributed 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game.
This is the sixth year in a row that a non-American player has not been named MVP.
Last year’s Most Valuable Player was Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The poll is conducted among journalists and commentators covering the league.
