When it comes to regular season awards, every member of the NBA community has their own choice for the most important award, the Most Valuable Player. Similarly, Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal also had his pick for the award but was left disappointed. The star wanted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to be the winner but Nikola Jokic took the trophy instead.
There is certainly nothing wrong with having a contradictory opinion, but Shaquille O’Neal decided to stretch his dissatisfaction. As the Inside the NBA crew announced the winner, Shaq ruined the moment for Nikola Jokic by expressing his disappointment to the Serbian’s face. O’Neal stated that SGA was more deserving of the award.
O’Neal’s behavior was seen as disrespectful by fans as Jokic won the award for the third time. There are only a few players in the league who have been able to achieve this accomplishment. Hence, instead of praising the star for the milestone, Shaq decided to mention SGA who was the runner-up.
"You're the best player in the league… I thought SGA should've been the MVP"
Shaq told Jokić he's best player in league but thought SGA should have won MVP 👀 pic.twitter.com/HM8lL0qtje
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 9, 2024Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did have an amazing season this year, but when it comes to stats there is a significant gap between him and Jokic. As SGA averaged more in points, Jokic was better at rebounding, passing, and field goal percentage. Hence, fans had many reasons to criticize O’Neal’s claim.
Fans trolled Shaquille O’Neal for ruining Nikola Jokic’s moment
This was the first time Gilgeous-Alexander was nominated for the MVP award. The star plays an essential role on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s roster and is a huge part of the team’s success so far. But Jokic won the Denver Nuggets their first championship in franchise history. Considering all this, fans felt that the Joker deserved more respect.
NBA netizens were extremely disappointed by O’Neal mentioning SGA while congratulating the Joker as the Thunder’s guard was much behind in votes anyway. As Jokic finished with a total of 926, SGA had 640 in the competition. Fans took to social media to troll O’Neal for his behavior. Here’s what fans had to say about the situation on X.
Shaq telling Jokic to his face was some insecure, major hater energy.
Pathetic behavior, and big shoutout to Jokic for handling that respectfully. pic.twitter.com/o367yJ6eSM
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 9, 2024Nah Shaq was just unhappy because another big man is threatening him on the all time ranks 😂
— JB (@skoorB0202) May 9, 2024I generally love the @NBAonTNT crew, but they had the honor to announce and interview the 2024 MVP and they (mainly Shaq) handled it very unprofessionally. There’s a time and a place, even giving your opinions after the interview. But to announce it, trash it, and then be awkward… https://t.co/iZ6sopnoWW
— Andrew Justin (@COSportsNut) May 9, 2024Shaq that was lame as hell
— liv (@livmoods) May 9, 2024This is just weird. Why is he hating?
— 👑𝟸𝟹 (@LakersFanatiic) May 8, 2024Shaq taking his time to hate on Joker on National Television (LIVE) instead of solely congratulating him on becoming the first player since LeBron James to win 3 NBA MVP Awards is one of the weakest and most disrespectful things you’ll see in sports.
Only the NBA is like this.
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) May 8, 2024I love Shaq. Always have and probably always will. But for him to lead the interview on TNT in Jokic’s MVP moment to tell him directly that he shouldn’t have won the award is crap. Not the time or place. Just unnecessary. Hated it.
— Zach Bye (@byesline) May 8, 2024Gilgeous-Alexander will get many chances in the future to win the award. But Jokic is currently one of the best players in the world if not the best. O’Neal himself admitted that, but somehow believed SGA was more deserving. Hence, it was inevitable for the veteran to receive hatred.
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