Is Nikola Jokic the NBA’s REAL MVP?

Why is the NBA media once again losing its collective mind over Denver’s Nikola Jokic becoming a 3x NBA MVP? Is it jealousy, like in the case of Shaq? Or is there a racial element driving the blacklash? “Fearless” NBA analyst Jay Skapinac joins Jason to break down the numbers and crown the real most valuable player.
#jasonwhitlock #fearless #blazetv #sports #nba #nbamvp #nikolajokic #jokic #lukadoncic #luka #shaigilgeousalexander #sga #anthonyedwards #nbaplayoffs #basketball #podcast
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[@raphaelna1]

Yes, Jokic is the real mvp... for the last 4 or 5 years he is. Hands down.

[@tebra643]

Absolutely 💯

[@dukaivan]

Yes, Jokic is the real NBA MVP.

[@cahhudson6081]

Hell no Jokic can’t win without Playoff-Murray! Jokic is overrated the NBA is tryna turn into the Euro-NBA

[@RA-rn4uo]

I’m agreeing with you mainly because the Murray comment yes Joker is nice but he could not do it without Murray. I’m not even sure if Joker is the best in the league but he’s on my team. He’s good but Murray is my favorite player.💫

[@yippee-ki-yay9925]

​@cahhudson6081 Joker took over Q4 yesterday and scored 16 points. Murray is a good player but there are a lot of pure scorers in the league you can plug into that role with Joker and Nuggets still win.

[@hrvojemastelic6935]

@@cahhudson6081🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelnguyen9128]

@@cahhudson6081is this “girl” ok? Damm cried like a little b*tch 😂

[@78tag]

This is called a Caucasian/European phobia generated by the "Look at Me" flashy players and media of the NBA.

[@gloopdogg1145]

Truth is that people will look down on you in GB,Germany,Italy etc if you are Serb just like Jokić and all African American will be treated 10 times better...In countries who are for Americans Europe got other rules and its called Slavic phobia...Amazes me how USA people dont know nothing about others,we Serbs was in slavery 3 times more then Black Americans,die in bigest % in WWI and in just last 100 years we lost 50% of all population in wars...We never ever play victims!

[@harstoft]

@@gloopdogg1145 it’s news to me that Slavic people are looked down on by British people. We don’t like Russians but the Balkans are alright.

[@damianocunego2703]

@@harstoft lmao then maybe it's time to open up an history book about Balkans and Serbia in particular.

[@michaelkeenan3437]

@@gloopdogg1145Great comment Dogg!..We know when Serbian get knocked down they don’t stay down.Sorry for all the losses you great country had to suffer through.Looking forward to more great Serbian ball players.👍😀❤️😎

[@DF-ni5sy]

Pff no question. He's the point guard and the center at the same time. He leads the team, manages the game, and produces in the 4th quarter. SGA is frickin great but he doesn't control and manage games like Joker

[@rickbaamonde8188]

He's even made Shaq turn into a hack... he missed badly on this comment, just like the 5317 regular season, and 1149 playoff, free throws he missed. I like Shaq but he's wrong.

[@dbuzuloiu]

Jokic is the MV3

[@bansnabs5523]

If Luka and jokic in conference final, you know espn is going to go full KlLL WHYTEE MODE

[@jjphank]

They already tried to do it in the second game of the Denver mini series! By throwing in the towel, Jamall was saying I’m not throwing in the towel

[@QuentinLassiter]

Jokic about to get his second ring 💍

[@steve13191]

Jokic still have no all star teammate btw. What did lebron kd and jordan do without another top 75 players of all time. The disrespect to him is insane. The media shoving sga down people throat while he shoots 17 free throws a game like embiid

[@josebourdeth8919]

Murray is a bonafide star. I stand by this.

[@sdb7092]

@@josebourdeth8919 The problem with Murray is that currently there is a glut at the guard position, and he doesn't do enough to standout during the regular season, which ends up influencing people's perception of him.

[@josebourdeth8919]

@@sdb7092 that’s his fault honestly. He should be making more money if he tried to be more consistent during the regular season. But Jamal’s value to his team is way bigger than just being a perennial lower end all star player.

[@Fatfacetony86]

Fyi Pippen wasn't an all star when he won his first chip with Jordan

[@sdb7092]

@@josebourdeth8919 "that’s his fault honestly. " We agree, that's why I said, "the problem with Murray." "He should be making more money if he tried to be more consistent during the regular season." Again, that's part of his problem and why people don't see him as an all-star or superstar. he simply doesn't do enough to put himself in those circles. "But Jamal’s value to his team is way bigger than just being a perennial lower end all star player." True. however, in order to be consider a star/all-star you have to produce in both the regular and post season.

[@kb3143]

Hakeem was way better than shaq in all aspects

[@theserver4]

Except dunking

[@thesloppyjoes]

You know what scares me about Jokic, is one day, and I really believe it could be sooner than later, he's just gonna quit.

[@LukasP143]

Nah to much money to be made

[@desatrifunovic629]

Bravo!

[@niarlatotepbasset]

@@LukasP143 , who needs ''to much money to be made'', for real...He have healthy family, good home, excellent horses, and enough money already.

[@billwoods7578]

I agree. Khabib esq

[@damianocunego2703]

He literally anwered to this exact question last week. Said until He is good enough to help his team He will play. Stop this narrative.

[@blov3615]

I actually thank Shaq for disrespecting Jokic while giving him his MVP award.. it awoken the beast!!!

[@ntnnot]

Could've indeed been the case. Probably the entire Nuggets team did not take it well when people started dumping on their leader. Of course it's on them too for going down 0-2. Malone compiled all the comments writing them off.

[@zukusenryu]

Don’t know who the guest was.. but he knows his stuff. Glad someone is saying it!

[@anotherelvis]

Jay Skapinac

[@cowboy7170]

The SPEAK crew don't know any of stats besides scoring average and the color of their skin.

[@nenevz2948]

A vote for Jokic is a vote for good basketball. I hope, I hope, for our beautiful game, that we can get away from the flop and foul hunt style that has been exalted by The League at least since Harden started falling down and getting three; and is now embodied by such as Embiid, Luka, SGA, and Brunson

[@user-pl4yr7si7e]

Great comment

[@kennedybj1]

Jokic and his team are the best team in the NBA he is the only point center ever in the history of the NBA..thats right I said it...point center...!!! lmao

[@mariohostios]

Joker has been the best player in the league since the Buck title. Bias against intl players- Nash canadian, Murry canadian. Giannis, Luka, Embiid, Joker. International players are dominating the league- the american players are resentful. Could some of this be due to rules changes on defense? A little.

[@raywhaler3416]

"international"? lol, come on now.

[@marquiecruzado1804]

Don’t forget Giannis brother😂

[@Yycdriil]

Please stop with sga and Murray Canadian blah blah blah. We up here, but really? They both went to Kentucky and played hs ball in USA . Y'all need to look at a map and see that 90% of Canadians live closer to Seattle , Detroit NYC , etc than you do. Ps the USA will not win gold in Paris. Too much dang pride LeBron down.

[@dusttaker]

@@Yycdriil I agree those old fucks gonna cost USA a gold. Imagine a starting lineup of Lebron Kawhi Embiid Steph and Antman. Only Ant has those young legs. Steph would be ok too he not too far down the rabbit hole but his D can be exploited.

[@LukasP143]

@@Yycdriilfrance gettin gold

[@burllawson4185]

They hate the fact that he's a foreigner but they really hate that Jokic is White.

[@TheInterestedObserver]

i said two seasons ago that we were in the middle of one of those historic runs that people look back at 20 years later. Jokic is doing all-time stuff and form and health dependant, he is heading straight for the all-time top ten conversation at this rate. What should be four MVPs and a finals MVP bar a bit of racism will soon be five MVPs to remove all doubt about this.

[@brandons9913]

You can tell this was recorded before the Nuggets won 2 games in Minnesota. Don’t count the defending champs out yet! The people saying Shai got robbed sound foolish..

[@chuckcribbs3398]

Jokic reminds me of Tim Duncan. Quiet, humble and proves his worth on the court and as a great teammate.

[@Tuvok_Shakur]

A post up point Center sounds ridiculous. It sounds even more ridiculous knowing he's been the MVP for at least 4 years in a row.

[@denroy3]

Apparently you jumped the gun on Denver losing to the Timberwolves.

[@BouchIsOnTheLoose702]

Nikola Jokic did have the best 2023/24 season and he, in fact, was not flashy and could score a bucket or deliver a brilliant pass whenever needed. SGA is much quicker and a more athletic NBA star. From saying that, I still feel that they made the right choice with the Joker as the MVP for the 3rd time in the last 4 years.

[@nikolatodorov1994]

This 50 cent guy once said: Hip hop is black music, without question. And unfortunately, for some people, it's tough to accept that you got a white artist that does it better than black artists. Allow me to translate. Since the 80s the basketball has been dominated, DOMINATED with athletic black players that we all enjoy watching at the highest level, more than white and it's tough for some people to accept that Today, 2023-2024 a white european is having a side hustle as a basketball player and literally making fun of everyone else. This, media behaviour won't end because if Luka is entering his prime and he isn't geting 1/10th of the recognition he needs. Wait until they start beating on Wembo when Ant man is about to win his first mvp or championship. And after all what everyone watching basketball doesn't want to see is 7feet or 2,20m Giant of a man complaining like a child because a ref made a bad call.

[@mrvhz7]

he should have played with an all nba 1st team guard like shaq did in orlando,la,miami,phoenix,boston and Cleveland.

[@ljutko7]

Jason u are bit fast on that Minesota thing my man 🤷😉😬😉

[@mja4wp]

Absolutely!! By every metric...he leads other candidates in stat sheet in majority of stat lines...has no other starter thats an all star or was in running for POY awards (like Chet for ROTY)....let not even talk about efficiency or advanced stats. Joker is head and shoulders above the Rest Of The League. That being said...SGA is excellent and will get his accolades as time goes by...Luka probably too. NOTE: Larry Bird finished in the TOP 4 MVP every year he was eligible. 4th his Rookie year. Won 3 in a row 84-86 along w/ 2 FMVPs during that stretch...and 2nd every other year (except 1987 - 3rd) It's one of the most dominant stretches with a level of competition that was insane... w/ KAJ, Moses, Dr J, Magic and MJ. Bird was a phenom..w/ a short career. Only Michael Jordan and Larry Bird have won more than 4 MVP awards in a 3 seasons (including FMVPs). They each won 5 in 3 years. The thing is...Jordan DID IT TWICE.....1991-1993 and again from 1996-1998. Joker is the only player since Jordan and Bird that has the potential to tie or break that record. Will he do it? he will need to lead Denver to another title this year.

[@gs547]

Jokic is 29 years old. Who knows how many or how few years he has left at a high level? He is pretty unstoppable now though. Jordan is the goat, but ask me again in a 2-3 years.

[@macdividinz2789]

Skap is my boy!!!!

[@berlin4103]

I was like wait that sounds like😅 skap

[@macdividinz2789]

@@berlin4103 he’s so awesome

[@aghori2320]

Put some respect on Jamal Murray. There is no need to belittle him to elevate Jokic. I don't know why Murray is not an all-star, but he is a killer superstar at the right end of the season and has more balls than 10 of these all-stars who buckle under pressure.

[@LukasP143]

Murray and jokic are equivalent to a pair of shoes if u dont have your left shoe your right shoes is useless and vice versa.

[@desatrifunovic629]

Marej je fantastičan igrač ali je često povređen tj igra a povrede mu ne zacele!

[@ljutko7]

Skap my man 💪 u my favorite Drama QUEEN reality check broooo love it. And best truth telling too!!! 👏👏👏👏💯💯💯💯

[@gsp3428]

Even though Murray hasnt made an all star game he is around a top 15 player in the nba, he is a really good player.

[@milavasilic4299]

Jokic will have 3 rings, 5 MVPs at the end of carer silver medal on Olympics (With Serbia in 2016), maybe even one more medal on this summer Olympics.

[@Jjean-jy2dy]

Absolutely!!!

[@nikolakovac9445]

Bravo! Perfectly and clearly explained Jokic’s greatness!

[@ericmiller8323]

Lots of dumping on Shaq for his comments. I watched the clip, shaq clearly said he thought Jokic was MVP caliber. His major argument was that SGA’s play this year was so much better than in his prior years, it was a bigger blow to him for not winning than it is for Jokic. The theme was basically that this was SGA’s best chance, because it would be harder for him to do this again for another full season. Shaq didn’t dump on Jokic, but rather that he felt SGA should be rewarded for his amazing season this year, whereas this is more or less now the standard for Jokic. At least, that’s how I took it. Seems unfair to chalk that up to pure jealousy.

[@LaserRanger15]

He is terrific and more skilled than any big man in the league.

[@TheMessianicFeast]

Even the young star Anthony Edwards said Jokic the best player in the world.

[@peterbank3918]

Fantastic insights on advanced analytic metrics. Wonder why ESPN never brings it up 🤔

[@nebojsakolaric2879]

Skaaaap on the show, let's gooo !!!

[@adamlauer1096]

He very well could win it this year jason

[@iBMcFly]

Yes, yes he is.

[@gametime2473]

Anyone denying Jokic after all these years of sheer dominance in the league is just not seeing reality. I think it's funny at this point.

[@jjdillon1207]

There are a couple of very deserving players. I wouldn’t argue if LD, AE, NJ, or GA or shae all had won it

[@ericmiller8323]

Also, I’d argue Kobe would have won 3 or 4 MVPs if not for Colorado. Nash’s 2 and Novitzkis one MVP all occurred during the blowback against Kobe, for Colorado, and for his role in breaking up the Shaq/Kobe Lakers.

[@waltershreffler4564]

Lets not forget off season out of shape Shaq used the regular to get into shape. One could argue he made popular the regular season didn't matter.

[@YTBEN1045]

Yes! Who else?!

[@gualbertogarcia305]

Shaq, Even though He is Huge and Acts Tough, Is a VERY SENSITIVE Person. He usually wants to be the Center of Attention.

[@fishhardcharters]

Shout out to Skap Attack! One of the best.

[@NemB]

Without any doubt! - Jokic is the MVP!

[@mv0921_]

That was good😊

[@carpentergirl08]

Heck Yes!!

[@anotherelvis]

If Jamal Muray had played in a bigger market, them he would have been invited to the allstar game.

[@kennypow4017]

Skap a real one

[@twalk2008]

Not going to happen this year??? 5:45 They will most likely get to the finals and win it all’.

[@whatmynamemitch]

Kd mom real mvp

[@giorgiogiorgetti3939]

😂

[@M11Entertainment]

Best player on the planet 🌎

[@goshenhill40]

jokic is mvp in the NBA: he represents the new face of the league: like Clark is the new face of the wnba:As basketball moves toward a game of intelligence you will see more people like jokic and Clark and Luka and kyrie take over:

[@JuicyCharon]

Imagine voters using on/off stats to make their mind up about MVP.

[@AdegboyegaOlatunji-cl5re]

We agree with you hundred percent joker is the MVP and he’s going to win more

[@voldmerot]

What else would he be? Virtual MVP?

[@TheBallHog]

Joker is the best and it's not even close!

[@Yycdriil]

Its very close.

[@032HULK]

Who is really close?I really want to know?​@@Yycdriil

[@Yycdriil]

@@032HULK come on homie you know

[@032HULK]

@@Yycdriil I really don't know because I know one thing, The gap is real.

[@dovla5989]

🃏💪👏

[@LINLIN-pl4lc]

The Real MVP！！Jokic！！

[@user-wt1np5sd8c]

Come on Jason...put that ? mark off

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

i agree with joker pck and also could see sga getting some hype cause how far they came from 10th place to first i think...and his teammates arent stars imo....but the voters should have set criteria....i feel like mj didnt win more just to give others a turn lol

[@rlh12345]

Joker didn't win last year for the same reason. Lebron same thing. Jordan obviously went through the same thing. It's just how it is. Jokic won't get another without another title unless its too large of a gap between him and the next.

[@jacobscholtissek2410]

Skap Attack remeber the time when he had 2-4 Vids all of them 1 year old, allways wondered why he didnt pumped out more because they were great.

[@user-nl9qu5io2g]

Should have won 4 straight MVP seasons he got robbed last season he best season ever

[@adaml7349]

Maybe. Giannis should have won 2021 making it 3 straight for him

[@VonDizutch]

Giannis should have 4-5 straight wtf u talkin bout stupid man

[@darkomill1261]

Go Skap ❤

[@HeavenFace]

Did this guy just said Nuggets ain't going to win a championship this year hmm

[@FearlessSoldier808]

Please pray for me brothers

[@techdeathhippie6319]

Prayers to you and what you need in your struggle bro

[@GrayMattr]

I’m proud of you I believe in you you’re a beautiful someone. You are worthy enough and abundant in Christ. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@FInalage2012]

💯 Jokic is the great white hope or should I say reality in basketball!

[@joram807]

I thought Luka was deserving this year as well

[@FreeTurtleboy]

Last 2 minutes of the game and SHAQ the diesel is on the bench

[@Doctor-xn4ec]

Ft 40%😂😂

[@BrianMoro-gz8de]

I stopped watching the NBA in the early 2000's once they outlawed defense i was done.

[@mikeoh5242]

I looked up some old games on youtube and they feel drudging to watch compared to modern styles

[@BrianMoro-gz8de]

@mikeoh5242 if you like traveling and guys running down the court not defended. Have at it. Modern basketball is a glorified scrimmage. The decline in ratings is proof that most of America agrees with me.

[@elmehdinafia1237]

Skap got that robot/AI voice or I'm tripping?

[@gloopdogg1145]

MV3 !

[@rwhirsch]

if he was voted mvp then he's mvp...isn't that the way it goes?

[@Yycdriil]

LUKA was the 2024 NBA MVP.

[@anthonyhale8844]

His team finished sixth, and he had Kyrie, how the hell is he an MVP

[@jjphank]

Yes, 3 x

[@RuNzWiThDooBiEs]

Shaq couldn't even play the modern game. Why compare? They're just both the greatest of the respective eras. Stop comparing players like this. It is pointless.

[@drewelliott9062]

He definitely is.

[@mfburk2010]

He may be MVP today. But let's be honest--we are not in a golden age of NBA centers today. The early to mid-70s were better.

[@jegjrtp87]

Dont care about advanced matrix or analytics. Smh

[@EthnosSynergyEnergy]

I absolutely hate racism. At the end of the day thats the root of Jokic criticism, and the root of LeBron praise

[@Nightcrawler90210]

The root of lebron praise is racism?😂 bro lives rent free in your head it’s pathetic, You are just being stupid at this point😂

[@wyotriumphrider]

Jokic stats: 10th in ppg (5th in total points) 4th in RPG (3rd in total rebounds) 3rd APG (2nd in total assists) 2nd in field goals made 8th in steals 6th in deflections 58.3 field goal % 65% true shooting 9th in minutes played 1st in PER 1st in win shares 1st box plus/minus 1st in VORP 1st in PIE 2nd in triple doubles 2nd in double doubles On floor +11.6 Off floor -8.4 On/off = +20

[@iBMcFly]

Looks MVP to me

[@Yycdriil]

Its not ALL about stats. Can joker bring the ball up the court against ANY defender like Luka? Can he drop 34 a night like Luka? No. Joker is one of the best NBA players ever, as is Luka. SGA for mvp by nationally Acclaimed NBA analysts?? Edwards is the best player in the L?? How do these men even have jobs?

[@ljutko7]

​@@Yycdriilu are salty little 🤡, and u hurt??? Oooohhh boi 😘

[@iBMcFly]

@@Yycdriil Jokic can drop 34 a night

[@032HULK]

​@@iBMcFly50 pts vs 4x Dpoy, He's delusional.

[@Tyson2136]

Go Nuggets!!!

[@mulekickmike2545]

Could it be raycizm yet again❓

[@albundy3929]

yes. not even close.

[@kylethyne2317]

If Shaq was really honest about his problem with Joker being the 2024 MVP......he would start with Nikola's skin colour..........

[@SeanRankin2]

That's why he's angry about Jokic. Racist clown 🤡

[@oldmansportsog2514]

Just look at playoffs Shai beat pelicans minus Zion and losing to dallas Jokic beat lakers and tied with minny Shai nothing but nba pr hype that used to go to Ja but since Ja out SgA got the love

[@FreeTurtleboy]

SHAQ..... HAD NO OUTSIDE SHOT AN COULD NOT SHOOT FREE THROWS HE WAS NOT AN ASSET A LIABILITY HE WAS.. WITH 2 MINUTES LEFT IN THE GAME

[@phillezeagles123]

Shaq is so rich he thibks he can disrespect people just give people their flowers shaqs era is over and done let the new generation enjoy the game

[@anotherelvis]

LeBron was the most valuable players for a decade, but he doesn't have 10 MVP awards.

[@cappy2282]

Ben Simmons always the MVP

[@loumend3147]

Joker!!!!!!!!!!

[@mja4wp]

Shaq is getting old and cranky....it was really a bad look for Shaq to make this about himself....if Shaq could have put in something regarding a work ethic...he would have averaged 6-7 pts more per game from the FT line....Shaq wants to be considered the best Big Man and can't get better than 50% from the FT line? he should have just congratulated Joker and kept his BIG mouth shut .

[@kennedybj1]

hey Jason Denver is gonna drill the Wolves..and serve Ant man a huge dish of we got the better team son sit down......!!!

[@tookeetalaska1387]

Damn think I've seen it all now! Best rapper ever is white, best basketball player is now white!??? Usain bolt I think your records about to be broken😂😂😂

[@brycetangney3966]

Man take luka of dallas there not even a play in team lol idc if they have kyrie

[@andynewberry6535]

Jokic is better than shaq and probably better than Hakeem's peak