By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic led Denver Nuggets to a 2-0 in Western Conference Semifinals with 39 points and 16 rebounds performance against Phoenix Suns, less than a day before the scheduled NBA MVP announcement.
On Tuesday, at 7 p.m. ET, it will be known whether he won his third MVP award in a row or if it will end up in Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokounmpo’s hands, but it seems Jokic doesn’t care much.
“I don’t really think about it,” Jokic said after the win against the Suns. “Like zero interest.”
The Serbian center hopes to enjoy a good day instead.
“Hopefully, it’s gonna be sunny so I can be in the swimming pool,” Jokic added.
With the third MVP in a row, he would be the first player to do so since Larry Bird and only fourth in the history of the NBA.
“I mean, I cannot think about that,” Jokic said when asked what it would mean to him if he were to join such an exclusive group. “Because I cannot control it.”
Teammates don’t have a doubt: He’s always been MVP
Kentavious Caldwell Pope and Jamal Murray also discussed the upcoming MVP announcement and Nikola Jokic’s three-peat potential.
“He’s always been MVP in my eyes. It can go either way, but since been the MVP for us since I’ve been here, been playing like it through the whole season and the playoffs,” Caldwell Pope said.
Murray believes the Game 2 vs. the Suns was a perfect example.
“It’s self-explanatory for me, 39 and 16, five dimes when everyone else is struggling. No hesitation from him; he just dominates down low and from three, both ways. He stayed aggressive the whole game, lifting us during time-outs. Full belief in us all the time while he’s taking over and picking up everybody’s slack, offensively and defensively,” Jamaal Murray added.