“I’m not sure it’s gonna be close…” Shannon Sharpe claims Nikola Jokic has already won the MVP race

The majority of the discussions surrounding the MVP race has been that Nikola Jokic should not win another MVP with other players putting up unreal numbers.

“I’m not sure it’s gonna be close…” Shannon Sharpe claims Nikola Jokic has already won the MVP race

Shannon Sharpe believes Nikola Jokic has comfortably won the MVP race

Nikola Jokic is squarely in the lead for the MVP race this year. With his brilliant individual performances, the Denver Nuggets have surged up the Western Conference ladder to the top. Many believe that other players should be considered over the Serbian for the MVP. But NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe feels Jokic has already won the MVP race.

Shannon Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas were discussing the MVP race on an episode of the podcast Nightcap. After a lengthy discussion about the pivotal game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the former Pro Bowler summed it up.

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I think tonight he (Nikola Jokic) sewed it up, the MVP. Where we are now and what he's doing, I'm not so sure it's gonna be close.
Shannon Sharpe said

Essentially what Sharpe and Arenas alluded to was that Nikola Jokic went up against the best defender in the league and won the battle. That performance cemented his status as the best player in the league.

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Sharpe suggested that Jokic has done enough all season to put away the other MVP contenders. His multiple triple-doubles have been impactful. But what made his case the strongest was the way he led his team to the top of the West.

Winning critical games along the way, Jokic’s performances ensured the entire NBA knew that they were the team to beat. To be fair, the Denver Nuggets have won at least a game against all the front runners in each conference.

After today’s game Nikola Jokic could lose the MVP

This discussion between Shannon Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas was before their second-last game today. The San Antonio Spurs handed the Denver Nuggets a massive blow in their efforts to stay up top. The loss sunk the defending champions to 3rd place. Now with the playoff seedings set to be decided on the final day of the regular season, it could also have implications on the Joker’s 3rd MVP bid.

In the event the standings stay as they are, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the No. 1 seed in the West. This means Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the new front-runner for the MVP award. After all, even the NBA acknowledged that in their latest KIA MVP Race rankings prior to today’s game. The Canadian superstar has taken the Thunder to the top all by himself, leading a team of virtual unknowns.

Therefore, it is possible that Nikola Jokic might miss out on his 3rd MVP. Something almost everyone wants to see as many have talked about how other frontrunners deserve it more.

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