Kendrick Perkins reveals why ‘best player in world’ Nikola Jokic doesn’t get MVP vote over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Analyst Kendrick Perkins believes Shai Gilgeous Alexander is more valuable than Nikola Jokic considering his team's success.

Kendrick Perkins reveals why ‘best player in world’ Nikola Jokic doesn’t get MVP vote over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Kendrick Perkins reveals the reason for his choice of Shai Gilgeous Alexander over Nikola Jokic

Last season the Most Valuable Player debate between Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took the NBA world into storm. This year, as Luka Doncic is already out of the picture due to injury, the choice between the two players is completely narrowed down. But the change has led to the exchange of views even before the All-Star event. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins gave a thorough explanation of Gilgeous-Alexander being the more deserving candidate of the award over Jokic.

After Nikola Jokic won his third MVP last season the league was divided. Despite many supporting the star, some big names were firmly against the win. Former player Kendrick Perkins was also one of them and the analyst’s opinion has not changed. Ahead of the game between the NY Knicks and Denver Nuggets, Perkins put Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over the Joker. The analyst took the term ‘Valuable’ literally while comparing the candidates.

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Jokic is the best player in the world, we get that. He’s not the most valuable, it is SGA. To his team, to what he has done.

Kendrick Perkins said on NBA countdown

Big Perk acknowledged the Denver star’s ‘best player’ status but chose SGA. Gilgeous-Alexander’s team is currently at the top of the tough Western Conference. Perkins gave the credit for the team’s success to their main man. Along with that, the OKC’s point guard is also averaging 32.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. These two differentiators keep SGA’s name above Jokic as per Perkins.

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However, Jokic on the other hand, is averaging unreal numbers this season. The 2023 champion is equaling in triple-doubles just three months after the beginning of the season. Despite the Serbian being behind SGA last season for points, this time he is averaging 29.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.1 assists. But the deal breaker for Perkins is the Nuggets’ 4th place in the West.

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Kendrick Perkins believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the next face of the NBA

Before clearing his choice of SGA, Perkins highly praised Jokic a few days prior. On ESPN, the analyst put the Joker even beyond the MVP race considering his illustrious career so far. According to the former player, the MVP conversations are ‘beneath’ the Nuggets star. Big Perk is putting Jokic in the top 5 greatest centers list. The ESPN analyst has similar desires for the Thunder star.

Along with the MVP, another favorite topic of discussion in the NBA is the face of the league conversation. The fans and members of the league are curious about the next considering the veterans are close to their thirties. During ESPN’s NBA Today, Big Perk took SGA ahead of the MVP ladder and nominated him to be the next LeBron James or Stephen Curry.

We’ve been wondering who LeBron James and Steph Curry gon’ pass the torch to for being the next face of the NBA, I think SGA wants to wear it.

Kendrick Perkins said
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Perkins’ take is certainly not far-fetched, but the category has some tough competition. Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, and more have a similar resume to SGA. Along with individual accomplishments, the young players are also huge contributors to their respective teams.