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Things got a bit awkward on the latest edition of TNT’s “Inside The NBA.”
On Wednesday night, TNT announced that Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic had won his third MVP in four years.
After the announcement, the crew debated the MVP vote, and Shaq was adamant that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should have won the award over Jokic.
“I don’t like to rain on people’s parade, but I’m not happy with this one. …I felt Shai deserved it.”
"I don't like to rain on people's parade, but I'm not happy with this one. …I felt Shai deserved it."@SHAQ reacts to Jokic winning MVP pic.twitter.com/JwtiPOsFyu
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 8, 2024
While “Inside The NBA” interviewed Jokic about his latest MVP win, Shaq straight up told him to his face that he didn’t think he should have won over Alexander.
“You know I love you. You’re the best player in the league. I want to congratulate you. But I want you to hear it from me first; I thought that SGA should have been the MVP; that’s no disrespect to you.”
Jokic awkwardly laughed off Shaq’s comment before jokingly firing back.
“We don’t judge people here, that’s fine it’s your opinion.”
Shaquille O'Neal tells his "vice president of the Big Man Alliance" Nikola Jokic that he did not think The Joker should win his 3rd MVP this year pic.twitter.com/f5jAciL5Th
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 8, 2024
Several NBA fans were not happy with Shaq’s comments to Jokic during his big moment.
I generally love the @NBAonTNT crew, but they had the honor to announce and interview the 2024 MVP and they (mainly Shaq) handled it very unprofessionally. There’s a time and a place, even giving your opinions after the interview. But to announce it, trash it, and then be awkward… https://t.co/iZ6sopnoWW
— Andrew Justin (@COSportsNut) May 9, 2024