The NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets are well underway, with the Nuggets leading the series 3-1 heading into Game 5. Nikola Jokic and his teammates are just one win away from clinching the NBA title this year. With the potential deciding game set to be held on Monday, debates regarding the NBA Finals MVP have taken stride and Jokic has emerged as a clear favorite to bag the award. Shaquille O’Neal believes so as well and recently took to social media to share an intriguing fact regarding the last center to win MVP of the NBA Finals.
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The NBA Finals MVP is one of the most prestigious awards an NBA player can receive. As a matter of fact, it becomes almost mandatory to achieve if you want to be named among the greats. This was proven by the narrative around Stephen Curry until he decided to change it after winning the award last year. Jokic has also been a target of a similar narrative and has the golden opportunity to change the same.
Shaquille O’Neal shares the last Finals MVP winners by position
Incidentally, an interesting fact about the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy is that you’d almost always have to be an NBA champion in order to win it. With Denver just one win away from the NBA championship, Shaq has taken to Instagram to share the list of past Finals MVP winners at each position. The star-studded list includes Stephen Curry at Point Guard in 2022, Kobe Bryant at Shooting Guard in 2010, LeBron James at Small Forward in 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo at Power Forward in 2021, and Shaquille O’Neal at Center in 2002.
Jokic can become the first big to win FMVP since Shaq in 2002 😮 pic.twitter.com/Mlp68jlrnX
— What are NBA Celebs Upto? (@NBACelebsUpdate) June 12, 2023
It’s been 20 years since a Center has received the recognition. With a closeout game on Monday night, Shaq sharing the story could imply Jokic breaking the drought. There is no denying the gradual decline of dominant big men in the game. The increase in the reliance on three-point shooting has almost taken the centers out of the league. However, with Jokic potentially winning the award, it would give players like Shaq comfort in knowing that the big men’s role in the game is still alive and well.
Who has the best chance to win the NBA Finals MVP?
The Nuggets hold a commanding lead over the Miami Heat with an opportunity to close out the series on Monday. That being said, there are two primary candidates for the Finals MVP award. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Both of the players have had stellar outings throughout the playoffs and are worthy of taking home the silverware.
Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Jamal Murray is averaging 23.3 points and 10.5 assists in the four games that have been played in the Finals. They both have had a significant impact on the team with the two-time MVP controlling the game and Murray hitting timely buckets. However, there could be only one winner and the tides seem to sway towards Nikola Jokic.
