Our Final NBA Awards Check-In: MVP, All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year & More | The Dunker Spot

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones Jr. are back with another episode of The Dunker Spot!
With the postseason a week away, the guys reveal their final (fake) award ballots for the 2023-24 season.
0:00 Intro
2:00 MVP
34:00 All-NBA teams
42:30 DPOY
51:00 All-Defense teams
53:45 Rookie awards
59:10 Sixth Man of the Year
1:04:00 Most Improved Player
1:11:30 Coach of the year
1:19:00 Clutch Player of the Year
Subscribe to The Old Man and The Three podcast w/ JJ Redick (ESPN / First Take) and Tommy Alter KZbin channel today for more NBA analysis, player interviews and highlights.

[@MegaBlueboi]

I'm not even a Mavs fan at all but having Shai ahead of Luka at this point is just crazy

[@thelordjignesh]

Having luka at 2 I can take- but 3 ,that’s disrespectful

[@bornashamloo]

He already had Luka as a guest so now he's not afraid of disrespecting him in a later video

[@TheRealAldo]

agreed, it's definitely between jokic and luka at this point

[@blazeku]

They speak like Dallas didn't exceed expectations just like OKC did and like the difference was like 10 wins not 5

[@Whyareyoutagginme]

So forget about the rest of the season only this month matters?

[@alexmash4903]

Luka having the Mavs on pace for 50+ wins in this loaded West considering all the injuries he’s had to deal with doesn’t get mentioned enough. Many pundits prior to the season did not anticipate the Mavs being this good. Luka has consistently played at arguably best in the world levels with a plethora MVP moments to choose from throughout the season. To me his case is as strong as anyone’s to WIN the award.

[@shelovet0mmy]

We’re expecting the 5 seed🤨

[@moneymoney3235]

Luka AND CHAMPION kyrie……no excuses. Bron went to multiple finals with YOUNG kyrie. Now Kryie is a vet and experience champion. Win or bust.

[@lipsontajgordongrunk4328]

It’s more Kyrie being actually consistently available than Luka tbh

[@AlecarMagna]

Disagree that Luka has made any recent push. He has lower stats in his back to back player of the month wins than the previous two months. People out of their minds if you think the Mavs would not make up 5 games if they weren't the second most injured team in the West this season.

[@denk664]

It's lazy biased analysis. I'm used to it by watching American sport shows. Americans can't be objective. They always have their agendas.

[@jackrydertm956]

Do you know what wins and losses are?

[@Trillchris9607]

@@jackrydertm956read his comment again?

[@Ziyad_19]

Shai 2nd in mvp over luka is hilarious and saying that luka made a 2nd half push shows that you simply didn’t watch him in the 1st half of the season

[@Jardermorder]

What do you mean Luka's "second half push"????? He averaged 37/9/11 in December and slipped down to 37/9/10.5 in January and just wasn't in the MVP discussion because Mavs went 8-7 due to half of their rotation being injured. What is this nonsense

[@Vhito1Slash]

that's just shows they did not pay attetion and know they wanna give arguments like that because they did not did their homework early in the season

[@denk664]

Well no point bringing facts, stats or general knowledge. In the US everything is based on race. They can't be objective. It's part of their thing.

[@Defort-jd8xe]

His numbers didnt translate into winning basketball. Stop driding stats like some casual. Luka improved over the season if you watched Mavs games

[@CGSnipey]

@@Defort-jd8xe Clearly a casual. Half of his team was injured for the first half of the season. One of the 3 most injured teams whole season. Had to carry the team on his own. What changed in the second half of the season is they upgraded at the trade deadline and were less injured. He's been playing literally the same the entire season.

[@VoltaDoMar]

Clearly his stats were empty back then, and then when the team got healthier and added a couple more good players, Luka became a winning player and his stats became valuable. At least, I guess this is the logic that media people are using

[@Jack-no2zp]

Not a Mavs fan, but that was some incredibly flimsy reasoning for keeping Shai at #2 lol. What?

[@Ziyad_19]

When it comes to luka suddenly stats and context don’t matter People don’t realize how crazy 34/9/10 is and he is the most doubled and blitzed player in the league and in those situations he will make the right pass 100% of the time But I guess shais touches in the paint matter more🤷🏻‍♂️

[@bot-kj2cs]

same here. weird that scoring in the paint more decides if you're better than somebody.

[@JD16_9]

Shai was dealing with quad injury? Luka been dealing niggles whole season. Growth as a pull up 3 point shooter for Shai? He takes 3.5 per game!!! Luka became the best 3 point shooter in the league outside of Curry this season. Go see where Mavs were on everyone's preseason expections and where they are now. Bs

[@MrCoolboy800]

facts

[@buttfart12]

The hell is a niggle

[@andrecambridge4474]

y’all just lie like Hali and Allen don’t exist.

[@JD16_9]

@@andrecambridge4474 see their % of assisted and unassisted 3s. Luka has the most total 3s made this season second to only Curry. Luka's assisted 3 point makes are at 30% and unassisted are 70%.

[@andrecambridge4474]

the best shooter after Steph sucks at catch and shoot?? okay.

[@SquidysTents]

Cavs fan here, but not having Luka ahead of Shai at this point is kind of ridiculous

[@congcyclist71]

bruh, just give shai all the awards, MVP check, oh he been shooting better at the 3, give him MIP as well. oh dang SHAI is topping on steals why not let give him the DPOY as well. Thunders are doing well, let's give SHAI the coach of the year too. I bet Shai deserve executive of the year as well maybe he was the one who drafted the team too.

[@erwinapacible3661]

Hahahaha

[@zachwehner7439]

I'm okay with this lol

[@berryesseen]

I mean, we all know why they favor SGA over Luka despite all the evidence. It's the same reason why Embiid got it over Joker last year. They can't think unbiased.

[@Earl_E_Burd]

@@berryesseen 400+ years will do that to people

[@ilovekaiyko]

why are you crying😂😂

[@TheGarciaKidd]

Thunder are only 5 games better than the Mavs and the Mavs were without their starters for 80+ games. Luka kept the ship together. Yet Shais team with great health is ONLY 5 games better lol

[@salvagaming4678]

Still having Shai at 2 is madness

[@michaelsantos8471]

💯

[@denk664]

The problem is that they can't be objective in this type of discussions. Because it's an American sport, in an American society, there's always another factor in play. Just watch Gilbert Arenas takes regarding Jokic and Doncic. European sports they judge praise African, Asian, American, European according to their performances. In the USA these discussions are always based on race. American analysts can't be objective.

[@underworldeu1626]

​@@denk664 BUT HE IS CANADIAN , they just black who cares for their guy thats all

[@s0sa1ty]

Complaining about an American bias when Shai from Canada and they have a European first is beyond delusional lmao ​@@denk664

[@Whyareyoutagginme]

​@@underworldeu1626I KNEW YOU WERE RACIST 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@troybarnes8402]

What has Shai done to deserve the two spot over Luka. Luka is creating the most offensive points per game in nba history.

[@Vhito1Slash]

they are enforcing this narrative because of okc record but fans understand Luka it's in a different place that shai, You just need to watch 1 game

[@andrecambridge4474]

you know what.

[@zachwehner7439]

I think offensively Luka is better statisticly overall and has improved defensively this year for sure. One stat that I am surprised neither of them brought up is Shai also still leads the league in steals by 9 after missing 3 games. And led most of the season by 20+ steals over the second best. I can see the argument for both being in second but I think the gap between Shai and Luka on the defensive end is larger than the offensive difference. Not to mention a better record as well

[@thelordjignesh]

@@zachwehner7439offensive gap is arguably just as big as the defensive gap

[@Flurry17]

just look at advanced stats before posting something like this. if you just look at basic stats alone, you could say Jokic should not even be in the conversation

[@nagaayyachamy2823]

There's actually no way y'all still believe Luka is the third... When Luka was 4th seed, Jokic won the MVP from 6th spot. At that time, seeding didn't matter. Now, Luka is 5th seed (higher than 6th, just to make it abundantly clear), oh it's still Jokic. In no real person's world is Shai number 2 in this list. And to top it all of we get this BS that Jalen Brunson had to deal with injuries, as if Luka hasn't had to (with a better record btw). Please man, if you're going to be disingenuous at least have the cojones to say that you don't like him.

[@milangolubovic2280]

Glad you made it abundantly clear that 6 > 5 mate. Let me try: Murray played 0 games, Kyrie 57. 57 > 0. But please continue to compare 6 and 5 with all context stripped

[@niggaruto03]

13:50 he said that celtics are 57-15 where jayson tatum played as a compliment as if that doesn't mean that they are 5-1 where he doesn't play😂😂😂

[@Joeshiesty286]

Torched em!

[@Earl_E_Burd]

Yeah he said 79% and I was thinkin, isn't that about what their record has been all season? I keep hearing people do this with stats, like if I search some numbers, then my opinion is validated.

[@redraidr12]

I would absolutely love to know what Luka has to do to get to number TWO this season, let alone number one. What exactly are ya'll missing from him? Cause two weeks ago it was wins, and that's just not the problem any more. Shai is awesome, but this is so incredibly frustrating.

[@philipthavenius9801]

I don't understand people taking Shai over Luka, the reasoning given here felt like nonsense.

[@jackrydertm956]

You guys dont understand anything

[@gabeharjo7040]

They both gonna loose why you crying over who’s gonna get second? Goofy

[@onizuka9628]

​@@gabeharjo7040 caring about the second gives you a perspective of how these analysts/voters see things and how dumb they are...

[@LukaIsNonFlyingLBJ]

If you still have Shai over Luka this late in the season, Im sorry you dont deserve to talk ball. Luka deserves the most to be the MVP.

[@zukusenryu]

Second sure. But not first

[@michaelsantos8471]

💯

[@1syn]

i love that part of his argument for shai is his growth as a player😂😂 wtf that got to do with mvp

[@michaelsantos8471]

@@1syn HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@Just2GdTobiTrue]

SHAI who LEADS THE WHOLE NBA in steals while having MORE WINS than LUKA DONCIC. LUKA also has the BEST BALL HANDLER the world has EVER seen in Kyrie 😅. If SGA also has a HIGHER FG% 3PT% and FT% then SHAI GORGEOUS ALEXANDER = MOST VALUABLE PLAYER?😅

[@krispybacon2564]

Ngl, he said shai at 2 and i have to stop watcing cuz thats crazy. Shai is an incredible player and has had a really good season, but im so tired of the luka disrespect man. He is at least a lock for nr 2.

[@Mrjvc163]

Shai could average 20ppg and they’re still gonna put him over Luka. Oh he’s dealing with a quad injury? Let’s feel bad for him. Kyrie missed 22 games and Lively 25 games bleeding knee playing through knee soreness and ankle sprains. Yeah that’s not good enough Luka. Clowns!🤡

[@ilovekaiyko]

Keep crying😂😂

[@glorious644]

Shai is the 5th best guard in the NBA. There is a level between him and Luka. He is not having a better season than Luka.

[@brandongrebe5256]

Once again proving that the voters are a joke to the league. Having SGA at 2 when you have the seasons of Giannis and Luka, they should revoke your vote from this conversation.

[@alexp5419]

They mentioned several times each that they don’t actually have votes

[@jackrydertm956]

Exactly. Should be 1) Jokic 2) Shai 3) Giannas 4) Luka

[@ilovekaiyko]

@@alexp5419 wait till he finds out the people with votes still have shai at 2

[@onizuka9628]

​​@@jackrydertm956 lol mavs have the best record to the bucks

[@xxdemestrosxx]

Your Argument for jb, All the injuries, applies for Luka over shai as well. There was a long stretch without Kyrie there was one without lively. Here we are without lively again. Figuring out the new trade additions. Thats stuff that shai did Not have and i think a lot of the early success of okc was teams underestimating okc

[@saiwaqa2573]

It applies for Luka to be no 1. He has been far more important and valuable to his team this year than any other player its crazy.

[@xxdemestrosxx]

yeah for me as well, i get that there is a lot of revisionist history going on with trying to correct for not giving bron and mj their fair mvp love. though when you hand out the first one to jokic and want to stand by that, give it to luka this year. it is the only way to be cinsistent, unless you are being consistent by making all exceptions or jokic

[@saiwaqa2573]

@@xxdemestrosxx It feels like the narrative switches in favor of Jokic every year regardless of what happened. 2022 it was cause he missed jamal Murray and mpj. So they gave it to him as a 6th seed and first round exit. But you know the Mavs were led by Luka in the same year to the 4 seed. And who was Luka's help? KP was injured and traded at the trade deadline. Kalen Brunson averaged 16 ppg that year. But they gave it to jokic. Now Luka has a similar case to Jokic that year, missing all his starters for over 20 games each. Some of those starters are still injured right now in josh green and derek lively. But no, the narrative is in favor of Jokic yet again and his season hasn't even been as good as his MVP years. My theory is that they are trying to make up for the robbery last year when they gave it to embiid. But now the real MVP misses out? Ridiculous.

[@alexlawson7022]

saying okc’s success is because teams underestimated them early in the season when they were the 1 seed for most of march and are currently 1 game and some tiebreakers out is a wild take even if u don’t watch the games lmao

[@xxdemestrosxx]

@@alexlawson7022 Listen, shais ppg in His Last 10 Games dropped. And Not just a little. Its a sign of proper adjustment and speaks to my point. They have Jay dub, who really is in the verge of becoming a star. But shai as MVP? No way. the league is trying to adjust to luka and joker for 4 to 5 years alrready. its a different level

[@allandeaton5928]

I find it ironic that all these media types try to find a reason not to give Luka the MVP . The league leader in scoring and 2nd in assist 7th in steals (you never hear about that from the media) 16th in rebounding as a PG , most blitzed and doubled in the NBA and 15-2 to end the season. Luka 27 ppg without free throws is 3 ppg better than 2nd Embib 4 better than shai 5 better than Joker. You don't win MVP based on what you did last year . seeding shouldn't matter based on past MVP's over the last 10 years so I don't want to hear that because it's BS.

[@skoolynugenator1802]

He’s white. That’s why.

[@naeemmuhammad4362]

It may be Brunson most blitzed but none the less Luka is my mvp jokic is a beast but we’ve seen this already give it to the young guy playing out his mind

[@psychenautes]

Well to be honest I don't know how you can say seeding shouldn't matter, you can go back over 20 years, not just 10, and see only 2 guys who were outside the top 5. WITH THAT SAID, before y'all get your panties in a bunch, Luka deserves to be the 3rd player lol. Only point being team success absolutely should matter, but that doesn't mean the MVP has to be on a top 2 team, particularly in such a competitive conference. Edit: Top 5 league wide, not just conference seeding. Mavs should end top 5 in conference.

[@Mrlucozade18]

​@@psychenautesseeding is given way to much credit for MVP running. There is no difference in team success between 1st seed and 6th seed. Both seeds auto qualify for the play offs which is the only meaningful team objective in the regular season

[@InfiniteIntruzionz]

You can cry about it all ya want but seeding does matter and history agrees.

[@desireheart8061]

Shai ahead of luka is just ridiculous. And the reasoning is dumb as well. We don't care about his Growth as a scorer, his growth as a driver, mid-range or whatever. Is having a better scoring season than luka? NO. Is he having a better playmaking season than luka? NO. The fact that he has a young team that's been HEALTHY all season is taken into account but the fact that Luka's highest played 5 man lineup has only just cracked 100 minutes(Jokic and Denver have 800) because of injury isn't?? FOH And yes luka isn't a great defender but rebounds are a defensive stat as well and Luka is top 15 in rebounds per game as a guard...

[@congcyclist71]

that reasoning sound more like Shai deserving of the MIP and not MVP. But i guess the goal post is moving again because its all about Shai's growth but yet Luka posting career highs almost across the board and still no mention of his growth as a player.

[@nomorepartiezz]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@pedrogiraldo4367]

Luka is better than Shai by FAR, it's not even close. Luka is a generational talent, Shai is a superstar. The only argument is that Shai has 5 more wins than Luka, that means nothing imo.

[@ilovekaiyko]

Good thing you don’t vote for mvp

[@duffal0]

You’re delusional. Shai will prove you wrong in the playoffs. Luka is just a bigger name

[@mikemcc8315]

They suddenly quit talking about numbers when comparing Luka to Shai and Jokic

[@Whyareyoutagginme]

The MVP is more than just offense it's overall value

[@Tophergr8]

Between Shai and Luka, only one of them is having a better season than 2016-17 MVP Russell Westbrook's, and it's not the one sharing the same laundry.

[@sparx2565]

You know you're wrong when every single comment says you're wrong about Shai and Luka

[@underworldeu1626]

Lol the hate on dallas is real , not considering luka as the clear 2 contenders for the mvp , and they not even mention Kyrie is the clutch player of the year lmao , they are a joke , and the right one is just inlove on jokic and even named him to clutch player of the year , go watch how much kyrie score in the clutch , just look his last game what he did to the rockets. Do they even watch or just read stat sheet and pick their guy if he mentioned there.

[@juannyboigaming3898]

Not having wemby in your top 3 for dpoy is just ridiculous I hope you guys Don't have a vote for these.. wemby literally is San Antonio's defense 😂 the fact that winning is important to yall is fine but it's an individual award yall need to remember that

[@andrecambridge4474]

and it’s a trash defense. so which is it? is he responsible for its rating or not?

[@juannyboigaming3898]

@@andrecambridge4474 he is responsible when he is on the floor and he makes them a top 10 defense when he is in the game Sochan, Wemby alone are their best defenders

[@alexsantaella4172]

@@andrecambridge4474it’s not hard to understand dummy

[@congcyclist71]

PUSH FOR SHAI's bid on DPOY starts today! Shai is the steals leader, he is the best defensive guard out there. no one else matter this season but SHAI. He must win all the awards.

[@denk664]

American trash analysts. They can't base on parameters and metrics. It's always America first and then the rest. These guys have no objectivity. Are these guys DEI hires? Sound so.

[@ruimonteiro6070]

naah, "I still have Shai at 2"... naah, im out

[@Vhito1Slash]

straight up laughed at that 😵

[@andrecambridge4474]

you were the kid who got As from March to June and mad he ain’t do better than the kids who did their work all year.

[@keatonreinke5830]

@@andrecambridge4474bruh what😭

[@Vhito1Slash]

@@andrecambridge4474 watchu mean? Luka has Ben A+ all year, media kept saying record matters to discredit and HISTORIC SEASON, and it's crazy because when you see Luka play compared to shai You can SEE the difference clearly, Luka it's waaaaay more impactful

[@andrecambridge4474]

hiding Fs in defense is gross. stop yelling about the As you got when you wanna be valedictorian you mediocre bastard

[@4inthemorning214]

Y'all keep mentioning how no one expected this from OKC and Shai but nearly every basketball "expert" had Dallas in the play-in or even MISSING it.... please Lord tell me these dudes don't have official votes.

[@klemziusklm7248]

Lame arguments for Shay on 2nd place. Its cleary Luka looking at different stats !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@zinktomas8251]

It’s gotten to a point where if you have Luka as number 3, no one but a Nuggets or OKC fan will honestly think you aren’t being disingenuous… even if you think you aren’t. Check yourself

[@Oscar_AH]

Everyone that doesn’t give Luka the MVP this years will be laugh at in the future. His season is historic and will be there to look at FOREVER.

[@kylehowe6761]

Give me a detailed reasoning of why Luka deserves this mvp over Jokic…plz I’d love to hear it

[@matthewwright6611]

Jokic will win it unanimously. He’s the best in the world

[@ilovekaiyko]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@mathewherrera8517]

@@kylehowe6761He cant

[@demarcuscousins8320]

You dont know basketball. Jokic is MVP

[@darckgamer382]

how ironic is that he putted luka at 3 but then had the same argument LITTERALLY between brunson and tatum but was saying that he would have putted bruns pver tatum..... and the gap between brunson and tatum in wins and defense is even bigger since tatum is at the moment 16 games over bruns brunson arguments over tatum: -load carried (being doubled) -team injouries -great stats and efficiency brunson is 16 wins from tatums wins lukas argument over shai and jokic -load carried (most doubled player , twice as mutch as the second most and 3 times as mutch as every other mvp candidate) -team injouries (kyrie + 3 starters and a key rotational piece all missed 21+ games : ky 22, josh green 23, lively 23 , exum 21, kleber 37) - great stats and efficiency ( 34 9 and 10 outlier season while taking the most jumpers and the most unassisted shots) Luka is 5 wins from okc and 6 from denver..... id you agree with that argument then its a stronger argument betwen luka and the other mvps than between brunson and tatum or edwards

[@SquidysTents]

Luka is the most dominant player putting up crazy stats and has his team solidly in the playoff mix, but Joker is literally playing 4D chess every night on the best team in basketball. So it’s gotta be one of them imo. Just depends on what you value more

[@kohta20]

These consistency of the comments show you how crazy these two are! Everyone here knows that Luka should be number 2 in the MVP behind only Jokic. Having him behind SGA is crazy!

[@michaelsantos8471]

SGA is no.2???Unsubscribing. They don't deserve to talk about basketball.

[@CubaSmileSauce]

bruh put the TV off when Luka is defending.

[@ConnorDudley585]

he probably would’ve been 2 if he didn’t miss so many of these games at the most crucial time of the year

[@prestonhogan403]

They literally said sga is 2

[@matthewlu1337]

Yeah i unsubscribed too 😂 waste of time

[@ilovekaiyko]

goodbye 😂😂

[@bando6558]

Shai only genuine argument is that he’s won like 5 more games than him. OKC barely got hit with injuries meanwhile Dallas has dealt with them all season long. Luka has the better stats offensively and unless SGA is making an all defensive team, his defense isn’t so much better than Lukas to where it makes him mvp. It’s a 2 horse race between jokic and Luka. But jokic and Westbrook have set the standard of lower seeded players winning MVP is they produce insane stats while carrying their team which is what Luka has done all season long

[@jadenouyang3017]

Luka > Shai

[@michaelsantos8471]

💯

[@mathewherrera8517]

at turnovers

[@lowspeak]

LOL SGA 2nd what a joke.

[@LilgreaseLord]

Damn Shai just having the yr Tatum had last yr but without ANY HISTORY of playoff success and somehow landed the 2 seed? He’s top 5 for sure but not 2

[@bangf1sh]

I really don't understand why you put Shai on 2 over Luka. Sigh, I thought it was JJs picks nvm

[@ilovekaiyko]

JJ has shai at 2 too, ur slow😂

[@bangf1sh]

@@ilovekaiyko damn that's worse then 🤣

[@pgeo999]

I get irritated when they talk about Shai being ahead of Luka because he has elevated his game and got better from 3, when Luka is better on all those aspects, #1 scorer in the league 3+ points ahead of the 2nd, plus a better playmaker by a mile and 2nd in assists in the NBA. Like these arguments you are making are in favor of Luka and still you put Shai ahead of him. Put some reasoning in what you are saying. Dont just put it out there because you just think so.

[@Oscar_AH]

This is insulting to people that watched the games all year. Downvote and out

[@p0pov13]

My thoughts too. Completely asinine.

[@ilovekaiyko]

Cry some more

[@kobethefrobe-archive7144]

No one cares

[@murdabeatz4252]

Downvote😂😂😂

[@Oscar_AH]

You are supposed to watch the games… Also the first half. Not just listening to the media. This Luka hate is disgusting.

[@denk664]

Luka has to overcome race base bias and xenophobic bias. Just watch Gilbert Arenas takes.

[@rafikz77]

@@denk664they have Jokic at number 1 Is he black?

[@mathewherrera8517]

I guess every voter doesnt watch the games because luka will get 3rd whether you like it or not

[@deejay3j]

Lol…. You’re not a serious unbiased analyst if you don’t have Luka at one or two. Plain and simple

[@jasongallagher41]

It's been a fun season kicking it with y'all. Great stuff.

[@saiwaqa2573]

I think that its important to note that Luka didn't just make a late season push. He has been this consistent all year. A player doesn't average his numbers without that consistency. The mavs are making a late season push because their team fundamentally changed at the trade deadline, and injured players are now healthy. So I think its unfair to claim that Luka is making a late season push. He has been excellent all year, and the most dominant player in the league all season long. The argument you made for jokic is literally Luka's production all season.

[@AGSung]

All the preseason predictions had the thunder with a top 5 seed and the Mavs at 10-11. Who really exceeded expectations here?

[@daviswhitlock9161]

To all of you screeching about Luka, listen to what they're saying. They made all the arguments for him you are spamming in the comments. They literally said if Luka gets #1 he 100% deserves it. You are just too upset to listen. If you have to undermine these other guys to justify your feelings about Luka, you are the one that is ignorant. 1. 26:32 2. 27:19 3. 28:30

[@saiwaqa2573]

No, all the arguments they made for others are arguments that are in favor of luka as well. The argument for Jokic is an argument for Luka. The argument for brunson is an argument for Luka. its hypocritical, and its worth the vitriol.

[@Brian-dg3kz]

Pretty much what he said about Joker ... applies to Luka. Minus the second half slight slump.

[@zinktomas8251]

Look at what Westbrook and Jokic did win they won it as 6th seeds. Luka clears them. He is the most disrespected/underrated MVP candidate in recent memory.

[@Jm-uz2ci]

The saddest thing is that If Shai had Lukas stats and OKC would be the 5th seed he’d be unanimous MVP. I wonder how many MVPs Luka would have If he’d be from Iowa playing for the Lakers. Then I hear you guys talking how it’s not about narrative. In MVP narrative and bias opinions of media is everything. Mavericks were a 3rd seed after 15 games and Luka with his averages was 5th in the rankings.

[@ryanfruge8819]

I was gonna watch and then I saw the comments that said yall had Shai over Luka still. No one that actually watched games thinks that.

[@fortyoneseventyseven6146]

Luka with most pts+rebs+assist since merger but yeah lets give it to Shai. Who is averaging the SAME stats as last year, check. The difference why they are winning alot this year is coz the team is better with Chet and an improved JDub. Kyrie also missed 22 games, Luka has been grinding all year.

[@yukta4358]

Genuine question - you say "Jokic just walks into 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 or 9 assists" (which are his averages). By that logic, don't you think Luka is also just "walking into" 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists" (which are his averages)?? Luka has more points and more assists, and sure, he has 3 fewer rebounds a game but he is a PG and Jokic is a center. You also say Jokic isn't always the "flashiest" - I hope you've seen even a few flashy Luka stuff because he gives you that stuff EVERY game. 73 point game, 50 point game on Christmas, multiple 35+ point triple doubles, insane clutch shots, improved defense, AND makes teammates around him better!! Don't get me wrong, Jokic is a great player; but Luka has had a FANTASTIC season and has literally broken so many records, it seems crazy to not give him the MVP this year.

[@ilovekaiyko]

Not really

[@jordantaylor3570]

Love how on twitter and in every comment section and most player podcasts we all think luka deserves MVP expect talking heads who still think grimes plays for the Knicks or shai is ahead of luka, like stop looking at advanced stats and just look at the counting stats each game

[@zukusenryu]

Jokic on the court Denver is +11.3, off the court Denver is -8.4 Luka on the court Dallas is +4.8, off the court Dallas is -2.5 Jokic on/off = 19.7 Luka on/off is 7.3

[@ettoremaiorana5429]

Absolutely true, that is literally the only argument. However, Mavs without Luka are 4-6. Mars with Luka are 42-24. We don't have a good sample size for Jokic off the floor record. Generally speaking, before Luka the Mavs had been a lottery team for years and a playoff team no matter who you surround him with (almost) every year.

[@TheDarkbluerock]

Y'all trippin'

[@therealseanp101]

Not having Luka number 1 is a robbery. Joker is putting up great numbers but it’s not more impressive than Luka.. Shai shouldn’t even be in the conversation at this point.. Luka does everything better for the most part

[@SoloVeracity]

Reading the comments is funny but I totally agree these guys are wild for not having Luka at 2 at least. Usually when I see JJ isn’t here, I just exit the video anyway though.

[@bernardxu6715]

Hey JJ, been a long time fan of the show since the beginning. I think the addition of these two has been great for a perspective closer to what us fans would have, but it comes with its downsides as well. I am really not understanding the refusal to give Luka his flowers this season. I would be less confused if shai and Luka were talked about evenly, but having Shai be over Luka still at this point for the MVP case is ridiculous. There is clear bias and lack of objectivity here.

[@hakeemolajujuan3756]

Y’all need to relax in these comments like shai isn’t averaging 30 on a team that very well could be a 1 seed. Yeah luka has a great case too but they literally have him TOP 3 ON THEIR MVP BALLOT. It’s not like they’re dissing Luka. The dunker spot has been one of the best pods in the game for years. These guys watch more hoops in a month than you have in years. Show some damn respect.

[@TheGarciaKidd]

Thumbnail shows luka but Jokic #1 on your MVP list. Put Jokic in the Thumbnail then? We know why they didnt

[@Woodywoodchuck640]

Nikola Jokic is the MVP this year. Keeping your team at a championship level while being completely unselfish making everyone around you better. As well as being possibly the most talented scorer in the league

[@georgekhmaladze5940]

Literally EVERY single point they make for Shai applies to Luka as well, the issue is that they are unaware or don't wanna be aware of Luka's narrative compared to Shais. It's not even funny anymore. But what can I do, we have no vote here. I'm just gonna continue making money on bets, cuz when these guys drive wrong narratives I get better returns. I'm taking an L on Luka's MVP bet tho, didn't consider the media bias enough back in January

[@neopant1047]

i get jokic but shai over luka is insane

[@jacksondowdle5217]

I love what you 2 guys are doing. Keep it up 👍

[@tristan14aric]

Jokic is the only player we can all accept winning the MVP over Luka.. Again, no disrespect to SGA he is great this season no doubt about it but Luka and Jokic are on a different level!!

[@LockBox_ENT]

Remember Mavs Play 🚨Okc the Last Games of the season. Luka & Mavs Gone make A Statement! 💯💯💯💯! Will SGA Play???? 😂 or rest?

[@reecewilliams8349]

Thank you Steve!!! I love ypur take for most improved player. Thats how it used to be and i hate how the award has become. You guys are amazing 🧡

[@fruitloops1481]

Mavs went 26-22 to start the season and 22-8 in the last 30. So Luka’s 2nd half push is that his numbers have stayed consistent and now his team is winning at a super high rate.

[@ludmilkirov7035]

What a joke, will never watch this two again.

[@michaelsantos8471]

Yup,💯

[@ilovekaiyko]

No one cares

[@SourForward]

17:34 big man on the left, everything he says here about Shai applies exactly to Luka but Shai had objectively more help and had it on a more consistent basis than Luka did. It's a fun debate and if SGA is ahead of Luka in your argument, that's fair. Just not sure this was the narrative to prove your point.

[@jordantaylor3570]

Luka having such an historical individual season to me that as soon as they starting winning even a little bit he deserved it to me. If Russ gets it as a 6 seed , jokic wins back to back while winning less than 50 games. Luka had more historical statistical season than both while winning more games . I think voters and y’all be smoking something and not really be watching luka every night . Dude dropped 30 in the first half AGAIN , like WTF VOTE LUKA

[@mbsneaks4694]

We need a hoops tonight x the dunkers spot episode

[@TheMissiIe]

1a. Jokic 1b. Luka 3. 4. 5. Everyone else

[@123123roo]

the style that luka an jokic plays no one can compete with their counting numbers.

[@bouldersarehard]

What about Dunker of the year? I just want AG to get an award since he didn't make your all defensive teams

[@puria5]

The Last time i Listen to those two

[@JWake-hv2vf]

This is why i skip their videos every single time lol

[@1800LUNATIC]

I have Luka at 2, but in the grand scheme the only spot that actually matters is the MVP winner so it’s really not a big deal if they have SGA at the 2 spot. Nekias and Steve are some of the best analysts around the league, so everybody needs to chill on the hate, it’s not like anyone had Tatum at 2 or something. That being said I think that if you have SGA at 2 the gap between him and Jokic is larger than “slightly ahead.”

[@Soupie23]

I’m tired of the “best player on the best team” argument for Tatum. He didn’t carry them to 60+ wins they just have the most stacked roster in the league.

[@FoxfireDraven]

The only thing this podcast still needs is a visual aspect of the lists/rankings as you do them and the stats you bring up are already great, but in a small graphic in context would be even better

[@AnnamPrasanth]

Not having Luka and Jokic in 1 and 2 simply says you did not watch the games OR just want a black guy to win it so that Jokic won’t win it for 3rd time or Luka who is DOMINATING the league irrespective of team won’t win it. Luka is the MVP or else you are doing disservice to the award itself. Period!

[@albertocasamayor4897]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA second half push they said hahahahahahahahaha dudes just check and do your homework wtfff is just embarrasing,he is historic since the start only that u don t watched dallas CUZ they were injured hahahahahah

[@ytuserizzy]

they weren’t winning a lot until the second half

[@Vhito1Slash]

@@ytuserizzy but Luka was making an statement every night Even when losing, and they said like Luka Made a push after the all Star break, NO, Luka kept the same energy all year, they just didnt pay attetion and now they ended up with arguments so stupid like that one

[@saiwaqa2573]

@@Vhito1Slash Exactly this i said the same thing. tis obvious that the media didn't watch the first half of the season for Luka and the Mavs and its obvious that they don't think anything of his performances. Weve reached a point where a 40 point triple double is as meaningful as 25 point game. If shai has 30 its better than a Luka 50/10/10 cause its shai. This was a retarded video.

[@navidalibhai1497]

so glad i came to read the comments after he said shai at 2 over luka

[@Earl_E_Burd]

Yeah it's one of the few times I run to the comments for something specific and the majority already agrees

[@cajuncardboard]

First you guys are very very good. Truly entertaining and in a short list of guys I listen to about the nba. But how does Lou Dort not get mentioned but Fred van Vleet does for all defense? 😮

[@KwekKwekUSA]

Why Wemby is your 2024 DPOY: - Leads the league in blocks (by far) - Leads the league in stocks (by far) - #2 in steals league-wise in February… - Spurs defense is elite (#5) with him on the floor. Could have been higher had he played center full season… - Spurs defense is DEAD LAST when he’s off the floor. Not only dead last but also historically bad defensively. Competing for the “worst defensive team ever” title when he’s off the court. - Only player with 10 blocks in a game this season. - Only player with back to back 5steals 5blocks games since MJ. - And the number of shots the opposing team does not take because he’s there is probably his biggest argument that does not show up in the stat sheet. - Opposing teams are setting high screens, double screens, re-screens, just to make sure he’s out of the paint… for a rookie… That’s how impactful he is. He is the DPOY and it’s not even close. By - @Peroriperora

[@michaelmo1977]

Wow. I waited to see both of your MVP rankings before stopping the vid. Unbelievable to have Shai over Luka at this point. Luka's numbers are significantly better and the gap in record has been closed. Shai will likely lose in the first round, unless they get the Kings.

[@tommy39693]

Coby White was one of the top players for minutes played all year. Compared to like 20 last year. His drive’s have looked funny ever since he got injured .

[@harryp1011]

Shai at 2 lmfaoooo 🥴🥴

[@vittiriowashington5211]

KP has upgraded Boston 2x on both sides of the rock. JT has all the tools, even experience at this point, should they meet the Nuggs in the Ship, it's gonna come down Tatum (JB as well), but specifically JTs aggressiveness high percentage shots. They have a few sets that they run for KP, where he is isolated in the the mid-post area that gives him good looks, they can use JT in these also. This with the some down hill action, putting pressure on the rim. Also, Keeping KP outta foul trouble will be key...

[@louehh]

If everyone is basing their MVP rankings with this much weight on team success, especially when it comes to splitting hairs between Luka and Shia, what the hell are they using to rank Coach of the Year? Make it make sense. Luka is 1st or 2nd and Shai is not even close. They keep saying Shai is the reason why OKC is where they are but no, their coach is why they are where they are. LUKA is the reason the Mavs are where they are just like Jokic is why the Nuggets are where they are

[@ryanzz1357]

You guys sound like you should have voted shai for most improved players not mvp over Luka

[@Spanxsy]

I’m tired of the JJ Redick channel not having JJ Redick

[@JWake-hv2vf]

Fr get them out of here

[@anthonyw6092]

Final seeding is going to big part on top 3, Luka’s best shot is if Nuggets fall to 3 and Thunder to 2. If thunder get up to 1 then Luka is pry 3, if Nuggets get top 2 Jokic pry gets MVP

[@joshb.1118]

I think folks put too much emphasis on seeding when the difference in wins is minimal. To illustrate the Bucks are the #2 seed. They would be the #6 seed in the West. The Nuggets are 1 game ahead of OKC (not a big difference). Also Mavs are #5 not #6.

[@xxdemestrosxx]

it is so funny how the case for naz is not backed by seeding like every other individual award is.