Kevin Garnett disputes this year's MVP pick

 

Nikola Jokic just nabbed his third MVP title, but not everyone's on board with the decision—count NBA icon Kevin Garnett among the skeptics. On the "All the Smoke Podcast," KG threw his support behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, arguing the OKC dynamo was snubbed this year.


Jokic's stats are undeniably impressive: 26.4 points, 12.4 boards, and 9 assists per game on 58.3% shooting, leading the Nuggets to a top-three finish in the West. The big man scooped up 79 first-place votes, making the final tally a landslide. But here's where Garnett makes a compelling case for Shai. Despite receiving only 15 first-place votes, Gilgeous-Alexander's monster season—with averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.4 rebounds on 53.5% shooting—carried a youthful Thunder squad to the top of the standings, sparking debate over the real value of an MVP.


Shai's impact on the Thunder was transformative, and legends like Shaquille O'Neal have even sided with Garnett, suggesting Jokic might not have been the most deserving this time around. Yet, the votes are in, and Jokic holds the trophy. For Shai and his supporters, the focus must now shift to the ultimate NBA prize—a championship that eluded him this MVP season. For many, it's not just about individual accolades but lifting the whole team to glory.

Source Fadeaway World: Kevin Garnett Explains Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Should Have Won The MVP Over Nikola Jokic
Source Clutchpoints: Kevin Garnett reveals why Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should've won MVP over Nikola Jokic