NBA fans are still in shock that Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic won the league’s MVP award. Apparently, it was a shock to him too.
Even some NBA experts like Shaq were wondering out loud how he won the award and even told Jokic to his face on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” how he felt.
“You know I love you. You’re the best player in the league. I want to congratulate you. But I want you to hear it from me first; I thought that SGA should have been the MVP; that’s no disrespect to you.”
Now Shaq has a right to feel the way he feels, but to disrespect Jokic on national television with his admission may have been a bridge too far for some fans.
A lot of NBA fans thought Shaq was over the top with his opinion and a lot see him now as just hating on Jokic.
Damn Shaq let Jokic enjoy his Trophy with no hate for 5 mins lol https://t.co/BpPD6jHy4U
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) May 9, 2024
I 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, 2024
Shaq thinks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder should have been named league MVP and he’s not alone in his thinking. He is, however, is the only NBA commenter to go on television to try to embarrass the new MVP.
I am stunned how shaq reacted to Jokic. Shocked. Weirdly personal and jealous. Talk about spoiling the moment. I’m sorry Joker had to sit there and hear it. And it was only Shaq. @AltitudeSR
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) May 9, 2024
Don’t expect Shaq to apologize for what he said, although he may apologize for how he presented his thoughts. Either way, NBA fans lost a lot of respect for the way Shaq handled himself.