Nikola Jokic deservedly became the first center since Shaq to win NBA Finals MVP
Make some room, Shaq.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a big man dominate in the NBA Finals like the way Nikola Jokic did for the Denver Nuggets.
In fact, it’s been more than two decades.
Jokic — after notching a double-double of 28 points and 16 rebounds in Denver’s series-sealing Game 5 win over the Miami Heat on Monday — was deservedly named NBA Finals MVP. He is the first true center to win the award since Shaquille O’Neal did in 2002 for the Los Angeles Lakers. (Yes, Tim Duncan won a pair of Finals MVP between then and now, but come on, he’s a power forward.)
It’s an incredible accomplishment for Jokic, especially considering he was an overlooked second-round draft pick in 2014 — such an afterthought back then that Denver’s selection of him was announced during a Taco Bell commercial.
Nikola Jokic is the first center to win #NBAFinals MVP since Shaq in 2002. pic.twitter.com/vIoTZzfzCj
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 13, 2023
Now, he’s a champion and a Finals MVP, adding to his trophy case that also includes a pair of league MVP awards and five all-star appearances. After delivering a stoic postgame interview, Jokic celebrated with his incredibly cute daughter.
Across five games in the Finals, Jokic averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game.
I mean, just look at these stats:
Nikola Jokic is the 3rd player to average 30 points, 10 rebounds and 55% shooting through the first 4 games of an NBA Finals, joining Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021) and Shaquille O'Neal (3 times)
Giannis and Shaq won Finals MVP in each of the seasons they accomplished that feat pic.twitter.com/KlMYTDc0nr
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 12, 2023
add this to the list of records that seem like they’ll never be broken, this is incredible. pic.twitter.com/Qk9rca6cbH
— Ryan Mathews (@Ryan_POD) June 13, 2023
It’s also fitting that a center won the Finals MVP award, considering this is the first championship since the death of legendary Boston Celtics center Bill Russell, whom the trophy is named after.