Stephen A.: 'NO DOUBT' SGA should win MVP over Jokic‼ 'HE HAS MY VOTE!' | First Take

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith makes the case to Shannon Sharpe why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder is more deserving than 2x NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
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[@mattbedrosian5298]

SAS always says "We know what Jokic is" Yet he never actually talks about what that is. He literally never has. He just uses as a cop out to not talk about him. I have never once heard SAS talk about Jokic's game like he does for 7 minuet segments like he would an Embiid or SGA. The man absolutely hates having to talk about him.

[@whodatking26]

It's as if he's Darth Vader. He just doesn't wanna talk about him. We all know who he is.

[@berryesseen]

Let me correct that. He hates having to talk about white people's accomplishments. There is no particular hate on Jokic.

[@JJ-kj4dy]

yea, he too pasty for SGA is what he is

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@JJ-kj4dySGA has 38 percent chance to be 2024 NBA MVP.

[@racimegacar]

He is white, SA is racist, conclusion is clear

[@Luffy459]

When Jokic was winning the MVP, he went for Embiid. Now, Luka and Jokic has better numbers than SGA he’s going for SGA. Stephen shouldn’t have a vote

[@dillatronic4757]

This award is not all about numbers you dumb. Stephen A Smith is right. The second youngest team in the NBA grabbed the first seed. Watch Shai's buzzer against Denver. He owns Jokic there. Luka is a stat padder. He should not even in this conversation.

[@ccoolhands]

MVP award is not just numbers! Luka has great numbers on a team that was in and out of play in position throughout the whole year. Cut it out!! SGA led his team to the best seed in the conference, without a single star/all-star teammate.

[@whodatking26]

It's skin color

[@JDA89]

So did Jokic 😂​@@ccoolhands

[@Maver1ck101]

@@ccoolhands Jokic hasn't had an All-Star teammate throughout his career. And Jokic's basic and advanced stats are all better then SGA's, except PPG. And the PPG is an overrated stat. If Jokic took the same amount of shots on average as SGA, there would be no debate.

[@Gazik_23]

did this mf actually just said that Jokic needs Jamal Murray but SGA don't care who is on his team on national television?

[@DeathFORcameO]

They talk OKC being the number 1 seed like Denver doesn't have the same win-loss record.

[@tonyla_sportstalk7596]

OKc Won the head to head matchup. They beat Denver three times out of four this season.

[@BestShootermanUbz]

The reason OKC is the first seed is because SGA hit the game winner on Jokic’s team 😂

[@morgan2552t]

Okc also 3-1 against Denver

[@whodatking26]

​@@tonyla_sportstalk7596Who's more valuable, Jokic or SGA. If you have to think about that then you have a bias outside of basketball.

[@gandalfhodl8723]

@@whodatking26 this season? SGA has been more valuable and that’s okay man. Nobody is saying Jokic isn’t the best player in the world? Y’all really don’t understand the award and it’s scary. There’s a reason Kobe and Bron only have 4, MJ 6. This isn’t the best player in the world award man

[@HerrProfM]

Stephen A. Smith: If I scream louder than my argument gets stronger. In reality, it is Jokic or Luka.

[@johncobraconney7153]

Stephen u mentioned thunder being number one seed, but last year denver was by farrrr the number one seed and you voted embiid. you're sus

[@nicholassalvador6635]

Stephen A talking so much about shai averaging 30 but never talks about luka leading the league in scoring with 33 or the fact that the mavs were one of the most injured teams in the beginning of the season while okc was healthy the whole season

[@DJ_-]

Stephen A is a hater

[@kingdebeoneunplugged5933]

BEST PLAYER BEST TEAM, U KNOW THE RULES.

[@thesix4176]

​@@kingdebeoneunplugged5933That will be Tatum then.

[@whodatking26]

@@kingdebeoneunplugged5933 So JT from Boston wins by that logic

[@zukusenryu]

Jokić MVP Shai does not have the stats to compare to Jokic 10th in ppg (5th in total) 4th in RPG (3rd in total) 3rd APG (2nd in total) 2nd field goals made 8th in steals 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 1st in Raptor 2nd in triple doubles On floor +11.6 Off floor -8.4 On/off = +20.0 SGA finished the year off super inconsistent. He had his worst games to finish the year 6 games missed Against the bucks - 23/7/3 33%shooting Against the knicks- 19/2/3 4 turnovers Against the bucks again - 12/3/2 4 turnovers Against Toronto - 23/7/8 with 6 turnovers

[@syahrahmana.g.6368]

Stephen A just straight up racist there

[@davyjoneslocker4859]

If thats the case against shai winning then luka should get it since his season is individually better than both and his team has 50 plus wins so winning can't be used against luka

[@zukusenryu]

@@davyjoneslocker4859 what stats are better other than assist per game and points per game? And btw because Jokic played 9 more games he has more assists than Luka in total this year.

[@davyjoneslocker4859]

@zukusenryu jokic is a center so his rebs should be higher by default, it still more impressive for luka to be nearly averaging a triple double. Also, jokic isn't clearing luka that much in advanced metrics either there neck and neck in those tbh

[@black24mambakobe]

​@@davyjoneslocker4859no he isn't 😂 shai is better than luka in advanved even...and jokic is MILES ahead

[@whodatking26]

Stephen "Anyone so long as they arent white" Smith

[@truebrowncanadian]

Nothing to do with race this time, sga is the better player with the better record, luka ballhogs

[@chilldoc9638]

@@truebrowncanadianbetter player? LMAO stop it.

[@spikey222audio]

@@truebrowncanadianbro what? Luka significantly better that’s not even a question😂

[@iornlazer04]

@@truebrowncanadianball hogs. He averages 10 assists. Shai has a bigger ratio of points to assists then luka

[@Young-ep8ik]

@@truebrowncanadian is sga the better player than Jokic? No. Does he have the better record? No. How do you explain that one? SGA is 2nd at best there's no logical argument for him to place higher than both Jokic and Luka.

[@FriendFred]

Stephen A talking about SGA’s season averages as if Luka’s aren’t better is the most criminal thing I’ve ever seen.

[@franzhewitt1396]

Shia has better defensive rating, higher field gold percentage more efficiency and his team got more wins with less talent

[@mdavis3262]

@@franzhewitt1396u said everything

[@dpakj989]

@@franzhewitt1396 His team has a ton of talent. People downplay the rest of the team just for the sake of narrative.

[@jaebuudhatv8514]

​@@dpakj989yea but their rookies sophmores no veterans

[@FriendFred]

@@franzhewitt1396 Dallas was pretty bad before they made those trades, injuries + Kyrie missed more than 20 games. Okc has been healthy all year and you’re highly underestimating the team they have.

[@jackharrist1078]

The fact that TV hosts like Stephen A, Greenberg, and Wilbon have an MVP vote tells you how unserious the voting system is.

[@jasondye9565]

Unserious is taking it lightly

[@womenandsonDad]

Not serious people

[@cw1229]

You realize all three guys were well respected journalists before getting on TV right?

[@womenandsonDad]

Isn't that a oxymoron? Respected journalist

[@romeothompson9389]

Journalists and media have a say in these awards in every sport though

[@votdfak]

In other clip SAS is talking about Lakers tanking/losing game vs Pelicans to go vs SGA and avoiding Joker. In this one he's talking SGA over Joker for MVP. Something's suspect.

[@Onemore984]

Because it's about facing a proven champ vs young team. Who df would want to face Denver over okc?

[@reem9317]

@@Onemore984you missed his point. He’s highlighting the contradiction in SAS saying SGA should win mvp, yet he believes SGA’s team stands no chance against a bottom team in the playoffs. Young team or not, what kind of MVP is underestimated so carelessly by someone who thinks he should win it?

[@countfloydschillerhorrorth2090]

@@Onemore984 Don't lose a clue. It's about facing Jokic and what he can do with his team. Which is unheard of since Magic and Bird. Luka is the only other guy who can dominate scoring and passing at the same time.

[@dinot115]

Good point 👍

[@Onemore984]

@@reem9317 SAS point still stands. His point is that SGA carried this young team to the first seed. It's an easier job for jokic when he has veteran and championship players on his roster.

[@leonard1515]

I remember when Stephen A was pushing for Tatum to win mvp lmao 😂

[@EdwardGGaming]

Jokic got robbed last year, there is no way that he will get robbed again for MVP this year

[@usmcmikeco0651]

He robbed Giannis the year before. so i guess its karma

[@devinmartinez7705]

Embiid deserved it last year. Jokic was not robbed last year lol

[@MM-oz9fh]

@@devinmartinez7705 yea he was

[@Onemore984]

Yall be glazing too much on here. Embiid fully deserved his mvp.

[@Onemore984]

Yall be glazing too much on here. Embiid fully deserved his mvp.

[@GruntFrank]

At this point SAS is just going by skin color rather than ball skills smh

[@swish1457]

Shai is first seed in the west, Carrying a team full of rookies and plays both great offense and defense. Luka isn't winning mvp get over it. i can't stand you toxic luka fans downplaying others because your statpadding non defense 5th seed merchant won't win mvp. THIS RACE IS BETWEEN SHAI AND JOKIC. Grow up instead of going straight to racism.

[@judahwilson6756]

Well, its something really crazy whatever it is, cause he had jalen brunson over luka

[@melanatedgod5337]

​@@swish1457full of rookies?! Boy gone. There's only 2 rookies on that team.

[@user-pc9oj9ci1r]

@@swish1457you are what mental illness sounds like

[@J.J.Redick]

it’s ironic bc it’s the white ppl who keep trying to make it about race

[@liamnelson6573]

The fact that this clown has an mvp vote tell you all you need to know about the state of nba media

[@spurslegacy]

Worst part is there are a lot dumber picks from other media members for a lot of the other rewards. Shits crazy

[@user-yr2ib2qg4r]

Every time people should and if ever weigh in his wise recommendations - forecasts and other opinions , they first need to listen his LUKA vs Ayton draft video , every time and that thing is not even milk its plastic or some other garbage that soil need 1000 years to process

[@barry6768]

Well said

[@nby333]

"This clown" - says some guy sitting at home watching him.

[@MrJadude]

At least hes not as bad as perk

[@PatrickRoy30]

Gee, we all wonder why SGA got your vote SAS…

[@swish1457]

Because hes first seed in the west, Carrying a team full of rookies and plays both great offense and defense? Luka isn't winning mvp get over it. If not Shai Jokic is winning.

[@PatrickRoy30]

@@swish1457 team full of rookies? The only rookie in the starting 5 is Chet, and he’s only a rookie by technicality. They have a solid core, haven’t had any injuries, and play good team defense. Just because they’re young doesn’t mean they’re scrubs. I don’t think Doncic should win it either - I just find it comical that SAS will do whatever he can to avoid voting for a white European player for MVP.

[@27markoh]

3rd in scoring, tied-1st in steals, 1 number seed in a loaded western conference and he's the oldest player on the team !

[@DeathFORcameO]

​@@27markohthey tied with Denver in win-loss record so being the number 1 seed should not be a factor.

[@gdgjjjkkk]

@@swish1457bc he’s black

[@LuciidDreamz]

Luka and Jokic BOTH have higher numbers than SGA. Jokic deserves it but Luka is def over SGA atm

[@choogafantastic5946]

Defense matters, and wins matter too. Out of the 3 only 1 is all NBA on defense he’s also leading the #1 seed that has smashed Denver head to head all year

[@TheOneKeyToLife]

Luka disrespect is preposterous at this point. Why do ppl like Stephen A even have a vote 😭

[@Asterisks12]

you literally commented on an espn video featuring him, that's one of the reasons he has a vote

[@Banana-wu6te]

Never disrespect in ya opinion Stupid mf

[@mathewdavis2427]

He's probably watched a total of 4-5 games this season. He should have been fired right away for not even having Luka in his topo 5

[@dontbelikecamtv]

You act like Luka is a lock for mvp like his team isn’t the 5th seed. SGA and Jokic have great arguments

[@4evahodlingdoge226]

@@dontbelikecamtvHe's also forgeting SGA plays defense while Luka doesn't, Luka complains too much and allows the other team to go 5 vs 4 for my liking.

[@lukamarkovic1865]

Shannon with a W take here,its insane that people talk about Sga taking mvp vs Joker.Hes by FAR the most valuable player in the league for years now.Legit makes the offense go.

[@robnot49]

I understand the case for Jokic but to discredit everything Shai has did is crazy he averages a efficient 30 ppg his team is 1st in a stacked western conference when they had like the 10th seed last year not to mention his defense this year has been great also everytime he’s played the nuggets he has outplayed Jokic with his team coming out on top

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@robnot49Jokic alone throughout NBA Regular Season averaged 27.81PPG.

[@bryarkelley3489]

The Nuggets won the finals last year. They been at the top. Shai led his team to the 1 seed with the most competitive western conference we’ve seen in a while when they were barely a play in team last year. And not to mention without him Okc only beat 10-20 win teams

[@MrTheHeadlines]

I’m tired of the Luka disrespect

[@SF48292]

Hes not winning mvp bud, let it go.

[@henrymcdaniel9742]

@@SF48292 but why not :(

[@romellochapman]

There’s the 5th seed bro.

[@akumicobain]

I’ve watched every mavs game this season. Love luka. He’s not mvp

[@henrymcdaniel9742]

@@romellochapman Russ won the mvp and he was the 6th seed. The first time Jokic won the MVP, he was the 6th seed.

[@manueladasilva8492]

Enough with the color thing. Lets just talk facts. Most valuable player. okc without shai would survive.denver without jokic would be atrocious

[@szazorkan]

FACTS

[@joshuaharmening7750]

Dallas without Luka would be worse than Denver without Jokic, IMHO.

[@goatstatusj5112]

delusional

[@dnairogaines89]

They were struggling when shai got hurt, quit it

[@benedictchua8519]

Denver without Jokic = championship level role players and vets Okc without shai = a bunch of rookies and guys below 25 yo

[@zockey99]

luka brought mavs up to 5th seed and is averaging 34/9/10 on 50% fg...

[@Donnjuantoni3]

No defense.

[@kingo4361]

@@Donnjuantoni3 being a passing lane merchant isn't good defense

[@nfcpablola274]

Luka is a liability on Defense, , can’t guard a paper bag in a vacuum 📍 SGA average 30 6 n 6 and leads the league in steals 2.1 MJ Numbers 👀

[@Donnjuantoni3]

@@kingo4361 top 2 in steals per game isn’t good defense?

[@grrrrrrrrr9439]

Steals per game doesn't mean anything if the payer miss half of his steals attemps that lead to open shots

[@yct2.0]

Nikola Jokic is the MVP

[@karenboliboli9138]

True Nikola mvp

[@sbkamara2003]

Embiid was before he got hurt

[@djdarklyceum]

@@sbkamara2003 I'd agree with that.

[@romeothompson9389]

@@sbkamara2003he got hurt so long ago that it really don’t even matter it’s not like he was 50 games in and then got hurt that’s a solid argument but dude got hurt like a quarter of the way into the season it’s a useless point even bringing up his name

[@AnonymousUser-ss2qr]

@@karenboliboli9138 No Shai is MVP

[@daanishgupta]

Luka could average 50/50/50 and still lose.😂

[@rahimmartin242]

LUKA has always been put on a higher standard since he came in the league 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@racimegacar]

Point is team, not Luka, when he figures that he will win MVP

[@AnonymousUser-ss2qr]

Luka will get 2nd most votes. Jokic due to advanced analytics wins. He doesn't deserve it but nerds voting will give it to him.

[@TheStrawThatStirsTheDrink]

50 assists = 100 points minimum already if his teammates dont shoot threes. Add the 50 points thats already 150. Add the 50 rebounds most of them are defensive so it stops the other team from scoring... My god You dont know much about Math do you, let alone the game? I cant even imagine what your SAT score must be, if you even have one. I'm all for humor but some things are just flat out Dumb.

[@racimegacar]

@@AnonymousUser-ss2qr Nerds?! If u watch advanced stats?! What the hell they supposed to watch, it's all statistics?! Maybe Instagram popularity, or who eat more burgers for 10 min...

[@brxndaveli5834]

Why tf does Stephen A keep trying to use career high stats like that has anything to do w others? Lol he also keep saying 2.1 steals a game? Bro cmon no one is winning a league mvp for 2.1 steals. He also brings up stats that are litterally behind Luka and Jokic…take this mans vote away

[@Zungentruppen]

SGA is disqualified from being MVP, when OKC was down by 13, SGA intentionally fouled so he could get a last second shot to get his 30 points, there's no greater argument of stat padding than that.

[@masongreen1371]

Russ was doing similar things when he got his MVP. Even worse actually.

[@torrancebickham6386]

Luka does the same stuff. They were up 23 and he needed one rebound to get a triple double wit 3 min left in the game . He got it then they subbed him out

[@Insomnia99530]

Shaq also pick Shai over Luka and Jokic they cant accept that Europeans running the NBA

[@ezekwu]

europeans only 'run" the nba because of rule changes...

[@gabrielgreer2493]

SAS has to surrender his vote. He votes for whoever the best "black"player is and He's getting away with this garbage.

[@Yoofen]

The A in stephan A smith stands for "anyone but an european for MVP"

[@ludnqka]

at this point i wanna see SGA get the MVP and get swept by Luka in the second round.

[@MrTheHeadlines]

Facts

[@leroyjenkins5345]

Lukas gotta actually beat the clippers for once

[@tombystander]

Swept? Cmon now

[@swish1457]

Shai is first seed in the west, Carrying a team full of rookies and plays both great offense and defense. Luka isn't winning mvp get over it. i can't stand you toxic luka fans downplaying others because your statpadding non defense 5th seed merchant won't win mvp. THIS RACE IS BETWEEN SHAI AND JOKIC. Grow up instead of going straight to racism.

[@SK99900]

Mavs will smoke OKC in 5 games we saw what happened after PJ/Gafford trade Mavs blew them out by 50

[@adityaswamy5657]

Stephen A: 30.9 points in game-changing from Shai Luka: That's a bad night for me

[@dillatronic4757]

Shai wins game whereas Luka chokes. His team has a 30-0 run against OKC and still couldn't close it.

[@adityaswamy5657]

@@dillatronic4757 Yea Shai can win with Chet Holmgren, JDub, and his whole cast playing for the whole season. Luka only has Kyrie and has not had him for 24 games, so Luka has had to carry the Mavs for that many games, and there is only a difference of 7 wins here. Shai is good, but Luka is just better. Shai could never carry his team, he needs support.

[@aggghgaabk]

Okay but when u have stats like Shais leading the one seed is a lot different than having slightly better stats on a 5th seed… plus Shai is leading a younger and less experienced team…. Plus he has way better defense and is way more efficient.

[@dillatronic4757]

@@adityaswamy5657 Luka is great but this is a team sport. I don't expect that you'll understand about this

[@adityaswamy5657]

@@dillatronic4757 Is this an award for best team? I don't expect you to understand simple english.

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

Stephen A thinks if you're being loud, you're making a good arguement.

[@EAGLES_1991]

Is even worse when you’re not a top three team in the west but one sounds great SGA

[@jp23x]

Bruh wasn't this clown pushing Jason Tatum for MVP. Smh.

[@MalikFrost12]

SGA winning MVP because of haveing the first seed is just silly. If best seed was that important, Paul Milsap, Al Horford, or Jeff Teague would be an MVP since the Hawks got the 1st seed. That same year that Atlanta Hawks team got swept in the playoffs fully healthy 😂

[@dnairogaines89]

Those guys didn't average 30 or lead the league in steals, so that's a bad point you just made

[@johncobraconney7153]

All im going to say is Luka Doncic season stats are much higher than SGA's stats. Luka has played better. And im an sga fan.

[@johncobraconney7153]

Luka Doncic average stats per game this season: 33.9 ppg 9.2 reb 9.8 ast (1st place in points 2nd place in ast) SGA average stats per game this season: 30.1 ppg 5.5 reb 6.2 ast Luka outscored SGA and has almost DOUBLED his rebounds and assists.

[@johncobraconney7153]

That is basically a 34 point triple double averaged for the season for Luka. If kevin durant averaged that he'd be looked at as the second coming of MJ

[@goatstatusj5112]

undercover luka fanboy.... you not fooling nobody...

[@zambrogue136]

You are trying to convince yoursel lol......

[@supernotnatural]

In stats, SGA doesnt beat Jokic or Luka Doncic in ANY STAT.

[@aggghgaabk]

Ppg… steals…. Efficiency… and record brodie

[@LegalLatinoHeat]

Stephen A Racist. Smith cant pick the White Men Jokic or Luka.

[@ike_SYO1592]

😂😂😂

[@phxmiller]

He can pick whoever he wants to pick.

[@NotGobKnocker96]

@@phxmillershut up

[@mrtony0605891]

A Black man can't be racist in a country where he has no power or privilege

[@swish1457]

Shai is first seed in the west, Carrying a team full of rookies and plays both great offense and defense. Luka isn't winning mvp get over it. i can't stand you toxic luka fans downplaying others because your statpadding non defense 5th seed merchant won't win mvp. THIS RACE IS BETWEEN SHAI AND JOKIC. Grow up instead of going straight to racism.

[@patepic1046]

Luka not wining mvp is bs

[@madhands9887]

How

[@maxso3256]

@@madhands9887 He's averaging 34/9/10 maybe? Should be a lock for mvp

[@taku5309]

@@maxso3256 Jokic is 27 12 9 , better record , best per , best plus minus , better impact wdym its a lock?

[@tayloradamson7623]

@@maxso3256it’s not a individual award you tool 😂

[@Neofilmcritic]

He’s not the MVP. It’s Jokic

[@kevonstrachan7059]

Stephen A Smith having a vote is a scary site and should be studied, addressed and revoked considering the fact that he believes Quentin grimes plays for the Knicks and Isaiah hartenstein is coming off the bench.

[@sydsubin2184]

The Luka disrespect is unreal

[@ssekyewacharles7313]

Stephen A ignored all this explanation when he was telling the world Tatum was the mvp

[@codedsoul7360]

The fact that this 🤡 has a vote is crazy

[@theape6778]

SAS and foreign player beef is hilarious at this point. Bet he's in shambles Tatum and Ant both tapered off

[@davyjoneslocker4859]

Shai's Canadian so he's foreign too lol

[@theape6778]

@@davyjoneslocker4859 should've specified European haha

[@Boggggggg]

Correct me if i am wrong but yokic was no1 seed and not Embid,they robbed Yokic last year but this year wont 😂😂

[@malachi975]

The argument with SGA is always the scoring

[@nfcpablola274]

Luka is a liability on Defense, , can’t guard a paper bag 📍 SGA average 30 6 n 6 and leads the league in steals 2.1 MJ Numbers 👀

[@JosemiPR]

@@nfcpablola274that’s cap lmao Luka is #8 in steals while averaging a 34 pt triple double

[@bryanponce5919]

@@nfcpablola274sorry to burst your bubble but fox is #1 in steals not SGA

[@melanatedgod5337]

​@@nfcpablola274top 10 in steals and he doesn't play defense? Shows how much you watch the Mavs.

[@RightStickRob]

@@nfcpablola274 Luka Post defense: ranks #1 at 0.55PPP Iso defense: ranks #10 at 0.79PPP Spot up defense: ranks #5 at 0.98PPP I’m not gonna sit up here and say Luka is a great defender, but this narrative about him being a horrible one has to stop

[@oskrrr4836]

It's not a league run media, Its a media run league🤣

[@trevorhandberry2158]

LUKA disrespect to disgusting. Seriously fam

[@bear458ziif-s]

stephen a always hates on european players. if wemby became the best player in the league he would find a way to say he isn't.

[@yisroelkonovitch]

There was that one weak he said luka he’s said joker most of the time And now it’s shai 😭so rigged it’s crazy

[@bondinho6114]

He never said Luka and Jokic, he said Jayson Tatum 3 weeks ago for crying out loud

[@byers31303]

I don't think he's ever ONCE said Jokic, at ANY point of the 4 years he's deserved it. It's pretty clear he has some sort of bias...

[@yisroelkonovitch]

@@byers31303 yeah u right

[@gametime2473]

It is ridiculous to put SGA above Luka. So annoying. If Luka beats Jokic for MVP I can get with that but NO WAY SGA.

[@Mr.Byrnes]

You’ll cry when SGA wins, huh? 😅

[@gametime2473]

@@Mr.Byrnes You are looking for attention. Well, I just gave you some. I don't care who wins MVP but I also think it should be a sensible and fair process.

[@Magpeccs]

Luka is averaging more points, rebounds and assists and doing more with less. How exactly is shai more deserving? This is pure comedy

[@nfcpablola274]

Luka is a liability on Defense, , can’t guard a paper bag in a vacuum 📍 SGA average 31 6 n 6 and leads the league in steals 2.1 MJ Numbers 👀 2nd youngest team in the league with no other player who averages over 20 on there team , kyrie can give ya 26 every night

[@nfcpablola274]

So Kyrie is less 😂😂 you funny

[@madhands9887]

Did you miss all the defensive stuff lol that’s why their first. How is he doing more with less when he has an all star and champion with Kyrie and Shai has rookies and 20 year olds. lol you need to learn about basketball

[@bareit6861]

@@nfcpablola274WEAK ASSESSMENT FOX IS TOP 1 in steal per game in the season SGA IS TOP 2 THE NO DEFENSE YOU SAID LUKA IS TOP 8 in steals per game this season LUKA GOT 33.9 POINTS PER GAME 9.8 assists 9.2 rebounds more than MJ and of course your MVP SGA 2nd in MJ STATS WISE LUKA IS WAY BETTER almost TOP 15 in all categories except blocks THE ONLY REASON SGA IS LOVE BY MEDIA BECAUSE HE IS AN AMERICAN-CANADIAN IF HIS NOT HE WOULD BE TOP 8 in MVP SEEDING IF THE MVP IS GIVEN TO A BEST PLAYER ON THE BEST TEAM JAYSON TATUM DESERVE BUT IF WE ARE TALKING MVP IN A THE SEASON IT SHOULD BE LUKA HISTORICALLY STATS SUPPORTS IT. 50 win luka vs SGA 57 wins thats is lame for an mvp just because he is an half American the media in the US wants him to win facts for an American like you who keep on pushing your mvp

[@seanw4661]

Shai don’t got nobody on his team better then Kyrie 😭

[@pg13pacernation30]

Argue debate whatever Joker winning it at the end 😂

[@tarikmahmud8334]

The fact that this Stephen A guy is a hypocrite guy acting on his own agenda should be clear. First Jayson Tatum and now SGA? Did he just abandon tatum just because he lost to denver? He is still the best player of the best team. So why not him? Because this guy knows campaigning for tatum won't make Tatum the MVP now. But it just might for Shae. This guy doesn't really want SGA or Tatum to be MVP. He just wants Joker or Luka to not win it.

[@DrSlipperyFist]

Lukas numbers were crazy this year.

[@johncobraconney7153]

kind of mind blowing. He basically averaged a 34 pt triple double all year

[@thomasparker2447]

You don't need any "argument" for SGA over Joker; anyone can see that SGA passes the complexion test and Joker doesn't. In Stephen A's world, it's as simple as that.

[@Junnniorr]

I need my ones with the ppl voting for Jokic

[@AudiA6Q]

Luka is the real MVP

[@O.J.S.]

....of the Dallas Mavericks.

[@ToniCroX]

Funny how Luka evaporated into the vacuum of outer space suddenly...

[@gojkotomil]

Preach on, brother Shannon!

[@blrrich1051]

does anyone know which team performs better without their star player? okc, denver, or mavs?

[@jaceygaither2581]

Nuggets are 20 points/100 possessions worse without Joker, OKC is -11.4 without Shai, Mavs are -9.4 without Luka. So the Nuggets are the best team of the 3 with Jokic and the worst when he sits compared to Shai and Luka. On/off numbers aren't the only thing that matters but based on team performance Jokic is the MVP by far.

[@SSJRome]

I don’t think there’s a wrong answer between the candidates , it really just depends on who you like.

[@darshilshah2728]

And that’s your opinion, the facts are 1 Jokic, 2 Luka and 3 SGA

[@SSJRome]

@@darshilshah2728 lol respond to my opinion with an opinion how nice

[@Mr.Byrnes]

@@darshilshah2728terrible take, garbage even

[@ryry1981]

Why all the hate on the Thunder?

[@goatstatusj5112]

luka/jokic fanbums are the reason....

[@deancoleman6098]

@@goatstatusj5112just luka. We don’t care if jokic wins

[@LeonarRonquillo]

No one is hating Thunder. It's these dum dums like SAS whose criteria for voting is very skewed and biased. SGA is good and all but Luka arguably done more with less this season, hence MVP.

[@snandrew6094]

The main reason people hate on the Thunder right now is because the majority of fans think that Shai is being put in conversations he doesn't belong in. He's a great player but he is not Jokic, Luka, and Embiid level and yet the media are hyping him up to be MVP when he is clearly a level below those three players mentioned. To put it simply most people think he's slightly overrated and the media are giving him way too much attention, as well as an undeserved level of MVP consideration.

[@kylianmbappe6969]

@@snandrew6094 Idk if calling Shai "slightly overrated" is correct in this scenario, he's where he's at cause he has done what he has done. You can say Kawhi is overrated if people are putting him as MVP candidate though. You might want to look up the meaning of 'overrated' before you use it the next time mate.

[@kurtishair24]

OKC fan here. Honestly think this has been one of the best races in a while. Shai has been incredible this year & a lot of casuals been throwing a lot of dumb criticisms his was. That being said. It’s Joker imo. I do think Shai & OKC deserve a lot of credit regardless of what happens in the postseason.

[@ChickenOfTheCaveMan]

It's sad that a guy that doesn't watch the games has a vote, youngest team, who cares, career high, who cares. That's not what the award is about.

[@bassman1977]

Luka by far!

[@SF48292]

he Doesn't play defense clown. SGA or jokic for mvp

[@DJ_-]

Jokic should win it he literally the best player in the nba

[@johncobraconney7153]

agreed i think luka earned MVP this year. Last year i voted embiid.

[@Posterharpua]

I'm a big SGA fan and this is not a knock on him. I try to stay away from the race-baiting stuff but I am really beginning to think Stephen A just doesn't like white or european players. He picked SGA many weeks ago to win MVP and never once considered Luka a real MVP candidate. Whatever you think of Luka/Jokic, it's foolish to not have a serious look at them before crowning SGA which is what SAS did a long time ago. Jokic and Luka, imo are the 1 and 2 respectively. I have no problem with anyone picking SGA as MVP - he's the best player on the top seed - but to pre-ordain him like Stephen A has done is suspect. I think he is biased against Euros/white guys.

[@Frolsa84]

Out of 18 votes cast so far, we know that Jokic has 15 first place votes, SGA 2 and Doncic 1. It's pretty much over, Jokic is the MVP.

[@PedroJr17]

34/9/10 (SGA - 30/5/6) 21 triple doubles (SGA - 0) 50 30pt games in 70 games (SGA - 51 in 75) I'm not even going to talk about 35pt, 40pt, 50pt, 60pt and 70pt games. I don't think I need to tell you who I'm talking about, and I think this ends the discussion right there.

[@martinflores7354]

GO MAVS

[@andrijavirke]

what a clown. I can not imagine him having friends.

[@nanox4]

I'm sure he doesn't lol. He looks like a guy who pays to f.

[@arlenjanis1388]

Stephen a.. wasn’t complaining when Giannis was winning or when harden won. He don’t like when a light skinned person wins.

[@re11o]

This my favorite MVP race. It’s a shame the odds are that apart

[@user-rd5ye5jn9y]

LUKA

[@krl7316]

Its real simple for anyone not biased: 1. Jokic 2. Doncic 3. SGA

[@Bars11_]

Does SGA have a better supporting cast than Jokic and Luka?...if the answer is no, then you have to appreciate the consistency and dominance he showcased to put his team at the top of the toughest conference. (The Real Most Valuable Player)

[@brandoblack7318]

SGA FOR MVP !

[@tylermartinmusic]

No mention of Luka once again. Absolutely disgraceful of ESPN

[@charlesc.b2435]

SGA DESERVES MVP, SGA is not only the better player all around compared to Luka he is leading a young team group and he plays both sides of the ball….Get that Luka 💩TF outta here please.

[@samonapred]

JOKER MVP

[@DJ_-]

He should be he literally the best player in the nba

[@levinen]

Leading a team to a 1 seed OVER the team with Joker gotta count for something

[@Serenity01871]

they had the same record they had no injuries and they want it not as the nuggets but still of course its crazy good but he is not near to luka and jokic there are 2 gaps between them. sga is just a scorer with ft not someone who makes a teammate better he is just like pg13 mitchell etc a scorer

[@Serenity01871]

how many nba player have 26 to 30ppg and 5 5

[@gamergokugt]

@@Serenity01871how many nba players in history average 26 12 and 9?

[@strontium2955]

This hard push we've been seeing and are seeing from so many for SGA to win MVP even though he's clearly not on Jokic or Luka's level amounts to please please don't give it to a white player, they better not give it to a white player again. It's absolutely disgusting

[@NugLife219]

It’s like they have a meeting in the back and draw from a hat who is gonna be the one who speaks against Jokic for MVP.. and Stephen A won this year!

[@Juimango40]

If Jokic wins MVP it will be the least deserving MVP in NBA History. And if you disagree with me then you’re objectively wrong. I don’t even need to explain myself.

[@adeadele-nz6xt]

SGA MVP for sure . Sga , luka , jokic .

[@jasongaines7284]

This is simple it’s SGA. #1 Team, #2 in PPG, and #1 in steals. The other two don’t even play Defense. Just new versions of James Harden.

[@slobodanstojanovic8125]

"Yeahhhhhh" lol

[@robertmeadows2450]

The Thunder weren’t supposed to be THIS good this year. No one had them finishing as the number 1 seed. SGA should be the MVP.

[@Serenity01871]

he scores but also have great teammates everyone speaks jdub and chet down they are elite no matter how young what has it to do with skill look at wemby or lebron rookie

[@yisroelkonovitch]

Mavs weren’t supposed make the playoffs

[@MichaelDeLaRosa]

1 seed doesn’t matter for mvp case since Thunder are tied with the nuggets for overall record. It would be different if they were up by a game or more

[@judahwilson6756]

its not chet?

[@swish1457]

@@yisroelkonovitch 5th seed

[@chitweak18]

"Made em look like Rudy from Fat Albert". 🤣🤣😂💀

[@ImTheRealDeal]

Luka over SGA for sure I’d put Luka 1st because of stats, Giannis 2nd because of his historic season, SGA 3rd because of of points and team ranking, Jokic 4th because of stats which are less than everyone’s I just named

[@opinion357]

SGA deserves to be the MVP!

[@vashthestampede9269]

SGA for MVP

[@Magpeccs]

Delusional just like screamin a

[@SSFFRRJJ]

God we are lucky to have Unc Shannon on First Take

[@haqq1]

2022 grizlies were a young team that finished second in the West, but Ja wasnt even in the MVP conversation. OKC deserves the coach of the year not the MVP.

[@dnairogaines89]

2nd seed is not 1st seed

[@haqq1]

@@dnairogaines89 the MVP case for SGA was made for the entire year not ONLY when the OKC was number 1. Not to mention historically top 3 seeds were the finalists for MVP not strictly number 1 seed...

[@dnairogaines89]

@@haqq1 it’s not just about the number 1 seed, he averaged 30 while doing it with the 2nd youngest team in the stacked west

[@haqq1]

@@dnairogaines89 there is no doubt SGA is doing more than what Ja did for grizzlies. I used the grizzlies example to shut down the narrative that SGA is responsble for carryng the youngest team to the first seed. OKC established a great system in whch SGA is a massive factor. But Luka and Jokic ARE the system. They have contributed more to their teams position than SGA.

[@atmos4641]

Last season the bucks were the 1st seed and Giannis was having a great season and he was 3rd on the MVP votes but now once they have a player they like, they change the narrative of the MVP Trophy.

[@30willecke]

It should be Luka... if it weren't for injuries at the first half of the season, Mavs could easily have been in a top 2-4 seed.

[@AVAXII]

Was this another "Jokic is great and all that, but let me tell y'all something, this brother SGA, he is special, and I mean special"

[@PedroJr17]

1. Luka 2. Jokic 3. Giannis 4. SGA 5. AE/Brunson/Tatum

[@CampaignerSC]

4:19 Shannon's the best 😂

[@user-dn5qo6cg5w]

Epic hairline battle.

[@a.n.t.podcast9320]

Excellent points Stephen A