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“Responsible for Nikola Jokic Not Winning the MVP”: Despite Advocating for the Nuggets’ Star, NBA Veteran Faces Slack for His ‘Irony’

Published 06/06/2023, 9:18 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

NBA Finals between Miami and Denver are in full swing. Nikola Jokic has been a standout player this post-season, impressing fans and experts alike. The Serbian delivered an outstanding triple-double in the first game of the Finals and followed it up with an impressive 41-point performance in the second game. A veteran NBA player, however, has recently faced criticism from fans for his hypocritical behavior after expressing support for Jokic.

The Joker was a close contender for this season’s MVP award, having won it for two consecutive years prior. Despite not winning it this time around, many believe he deserved it over Joel Embiid. Jokic, however, still has a chance to win the Finals MVP and lead the Nuggets to their first NBA championship.

Kendrick Perkins implied that MVP selection is racist

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Kendrick Perkins previously expressed his belief that the MVP selection board in the NBA was racist. He highlighted the fact that only three MVPs in history, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Nikola Jokic, did not win scoring titles, and they happened to be white men. Perkins suggested that this could indicate racial bias in the MVP selection process. However, more recently, he had a change of heart and praised Nikola Jokic. Fans online quickly noticed this change and criticized Perkins for what they saw as hypocrisy in his stance.

via Imago

Kendrick Perkins, as a basketball analyst, has been known for his unconventional takes on various topics. However, his implication that the MVP selection process is racist was regarded as one of his most unusual statements. Even his co-host JJ Redick criticized him for this claim, and notable basketball personalities such as Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley made fun of Perkins on their own show in response to his assertion.

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Fans react to Kendrick Perkin’s take on Nikola Jokic

Perkins appears to be highly impressed by Nikola Jokic’s performance in the NBA postseason. He expressed the view that the league should make more efforts to promote and market Jokic, acknowledging his deserving of superstar status in the NBA. However, people online have noticed the contradiction in Perkins’ statements, as he had previously criticized the MVP selection process. Here are some of the comments made by individuals online regarding Perkins’ recent remarks.

Many individuals have noted the irony in Kendrick Perkins’ recent statements, as they believe he played a role in preventing Nikola Jokic from winning the MVP award. Some have also pointed out that he is now advocating for increased promotion of Jokic.

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Fans were displeased with Kendrick Perkins’ perceived hypocrisy and went as far as calling him a “fraud” It remains to be seen how Perkins will respond to the backlash he received on social media. People freely expressed their opinions on the platform, using strong language to convey their thoughts on the matter.

WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Barkley dismantles Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets.

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Written by:

Aaditya Negi

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Aaditya is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports and has been following the game for a number of years. He is an avid fan of the NBA and follows what’s happening in the league on a daily basis. Having worked as an intern in the sports domain, his passion for writing arose from his fondness for the intricacies of the game.
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Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra