Nikola Jokic, despite not winning the regular season MVP award, showcased his exceptional skills during the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, leading the Denver Nuggets to secure the 2023 NBA Championship. As a result of his remarkable performance, Jokic was awarded the Finals MVP title. This recent accomplishment has placed him in a prestigious group of NBA players according to a basketball analyst, which includes legendary figures like Shaquille O’Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nikola Jokic displayed impressive averages of 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists, which played a crucial role in securing the first-ever NBA Championship for the city of Denver. As one of the rare foreigner players who have made such a significant impact in the league, Jokic has built a profound legacy. Comparisons are already being drawn between Jokic and other legendary Hall of Fame athletes, highlighting his potential to join the ranks of all-time greats in the basketball world.
Nikola Jokic joins an elite list
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Basketball critic and analyst Nick Wright recently praised Nikola Jokic for his dominant performances and labeled him as an All-time great player after less than a decade in the NBA. According to Wright, Jokic’s leadership in guiding his team, the Nuggets, to an NBA title places him among a select group of players, including the Big Diesel, Shaquille O’Neal, who have achieved remarkable success this century by being the main men in their team.
via Getty DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets speaks with media after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Analyst Nick Wright included Nikola Jokic in a prestigious group of players that consists of Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. All of these players played main roles in leading their respective teams to NBA championships.
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However, it is worth noting that Kevin Garnett, despite winning an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and earning MVP honors in the past, was surprisingly omitted from the list. This exclusion came as a surprise given Garnett’s notable achievements and contributions throughout the course of his career.
However, Garnett is probably not missing out on how much Jokic himself is!
Nikola Jokic is denied a big amount by the Denver Nuggets
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Following the NBA Finals, Nikola Jokic’s market value is estimated to be approximately $70 million, while his current salary with the Denver Nuggets is around $33 million. It is surprising that the Nuggets are not compensating the Finals MVP according to his market worth.
Jokic is potentially missing out on a significant amount of nearly $37,020,932. It will be intriguing to hear Jokic’s perspective on this matter, and the situation will certainly add an element of interest to the upcoming season.
WATCH THIS STORY: Nikola Jokic receives a warm welcome by Shaq to the Big Man club
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What are your thoughts on Nikola Jokic’s latest achievement? Do you think Kevin Garnett should at least have been considered? Share your thoughts in the comments!