Two frontrunners have emerged in the race for the Kia MVP award: Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. While Jokic is the favorite, some argue that Doncic deserves it more. However, retired NBA player JJ Redick disagrees.
“MVP for me, came down to Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander… Ultimately I gave, by the slightest of margins, my vote to Nikola Jokic.”
JJ Redick shares who he voted for Most Valuable Player 🗣️
(via @OldManAndThree) pic.twitter.com/DHYy9xBRXL
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 15, 2024
He believes that the Mavericks’ injuries and inconsistent lineup shouldn’t detract from Jokic’s MVP case. Redick argues that health and continuity should not penalize other players.
He also questions the narrative that injury issues boost Doncic’s bid for the award. Redick believes that all four MVP candidates, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo, are having historic campaigns and voters should use logical reasoning when casting their ballot.
Despite this valid point, narratives often sway MVP voters, as demonstrated by Jokic’s win last season. Meanwhile, Doncic has made it clear that he is not interested in winning the MVP award, focusing instead on winning games.
Doncic’s impressive performances in March have narrowed the gap between him and Jokic. If the Mavericks finish the regular season strong and rise in the standings, Doncic could have a chance at winning the MVP award.
Fans reacted as follows:
JJ knows ball
— Nuggets Lead (@NuggetsLead) April 15, 2024
Mavs fans gonna be pissed
— Honest Lebron Fan (@BronInFour) April 15, 2024
I agree with JJ Redick, Nikola Jokic deserves the MVP award this year. Period.
— Gözde Şanlı (@megalomania3) April 15, 2024
I can live with Jokic or Luka.
— Hypermav (@Hypermav77) April 15, 2024
— Mikeyt2177.eth (@mikeyt2177) April 15, 2024
I agree, Jokic just impacts the game in so many different ways even when he's not scoring, just so hard to not pick him
— Alaa Alarashi (@AlaaAlarashi) April 15, 2024
This dude actually put Giannis at 6..
Do you see what happens to the bucks with him out? Does the word most valuable as in (value to team) not mean shit any more?
Also, Luka is MVP
— Jordan 10VE Szn (@J10VESzn) April 15, 2024
Should’ve been Luka.
— Zae (@za3ovo) April 15, 2024
Nobody has yet to explain to me how SGA isn’t the lg MVP. He has the numbers, the 1 seed the efficiency, defense, on the 2nd youngest team in the NBA. How does jokic or luka deserve it more?
— THE NETWORK (@ElroyBoutMoney) April 15, 2024
SGA team is the #1 seed in the brutal western conference… doing this with no other starting all nba player, let alone an all star player.
— Od (@Odgomez26) April 15, 2024
Luka deserves it. Jokic on a stacked team and couldn't even get them the #1 seed or to 60 wins with basically no injuries all year. Luka's team was projected to be a play in team at the start of the year.
— phind123 (@phind123) April 15, 2024
If it’s that close you can’t give it to the guy on the nba champions! The other 2 were on non-playoff teams last year!
— Sinjo (@Sinaho54) April 15, 2024
SGA is the MVP that young man has done more with less with a young team
— (Juwan Robinson)🐬 (@melo15syr) April 15, 2024
https://twitter.com/ThunderUpD/status/1779931577641746904
Worst @jj_redick take ever but that’s his vote .. i go SGA for MVP followed by Antman then Tatum then joker and Luka .. leading a young team in the west to the top is worth something
— darkskinrandy (@darkskinrandy14) April 15, 2024
Luka needs 45ppg, 15rpg, 17apg, 5spg, 3bpg, 1st seed and he will maybe be 2nd in MVP voting. Media said that Shai is second favorite because he played smooth this week.
— Blaž Šteharnik (@pixipixi10) April 15, 2024
Where is the actual reasoning for why he chose Jokic over Luka or SGA ? SGA won the conference and averaged 30. Luka has better stats. All he said was Jokic was best in the nba, based on what? He gave no actual reason. Tatum has the best record in the NBA. What is Jokic’s 1 up?
— Lew Sid (@LewSidRaps) April 15, 2024
I azgree with JJ Redick, Nikola Jokic deserves the MVP award thhis year. Period.
— Ashleigh Chrystal (@unaccustomedsca) April 15, 2024
