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Nahh B! Podcast
Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic wins MVP of the 20-21 season becoming the first center to win the award since Shaq
2021-06-10
Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic blowing a kiss to the crowdNBA - Getty Images
Going into this season there were a lot of things no one knew to expect. Between the surprise teams to make it into the playoffs after a drought that took years *I'm talking to you New York Knicks*.
To the rookies who came onto the scene that made an immediate impact on their teams. To who would be the Most Valuable Player this season.
This year it was the star center of the Denver Nuggets who took home the prestigious award and also made history doing so by becoming the first center in 21 years to win the award since Shaquille O'Neal won it during his championship stint with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. Both centers but both completely different types of centers.
Shaquille O'Neal emphatically dunking the basketball during his 1999-2000 MVP season with the Los Angeles LakersNBA - Getty Images
Shaq was known as a complete monster who dominated everyone around him with his size and sheer strength and was never much of a shooter. Jokic on the other hand is an all-around center who can shoot, rebound, and pass the ball better than any center I've ever seen play the game of basketball. Arguably passes the ball better than many point guards past and present. In this year's shortened season, Jokic played all of the 72 season games and was not held out one time due to rest, injuries, or personal reasons. Jokic beat out the likes of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry who played just 63 games this season and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid who played only 51 games.
NBA MVP finalists Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid & winner Nikola JokicNBA
This season, Jokic led his team to the western conference's third seed finishing with 47 wins and 25 losses all while playing 35 minutes per game and averaging a career-best 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. All three stats are new career highs. Jokic also shot a career-high percentage in both 2-pointers and 3-pointers coming in at 60.6% on 2-pointers and 38.8% with his 3-pointers. A year ago I made a bold prediction that this years MVP would be Luka Doncic and the following season could very well possibly be Nikola Jokic as I've been a huge fan of his since first saw him play and made the statement of him being the greatest passing center of all time in only his rookie season. Although incorrect, I am not surprised or shocked at all that Nikola Jokic took home the prize this season and very well could be Luka next season. With all that said, Congratulations to Nikola Jokic on achieving this award and accolade. But he now needs to channel that MVP mode big time as he and the Denver Nuggets are currently down 0-2 to the Pheonix Suns in the second round of the western conference playoffs.Hope you all enjoyed the read.-Sani
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