“A prize for the team”

Nikola Jokic was named best player of the 2020-2021 NBA championship.

The Serbian center, class “il =” “> third European basketball player in history to win the prize, the first ever militant in the Denver Nuggets, as well as the first Serbian, the first center since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 and the lowest choice ever in the draft (number 41 in 2014).

The verdict was expected, as was the rest of the podium composition, completed by the star of the Philadelphia 76ers John Embiid and from the play of Golden State Steph Curry, protagonist of another super year that was not enough to drag his teammates to the playoffs.

Jokic swept away with 971 total points (the regulation provided 10 points for the first place, 7 for the second, 5 for the third, 3 for the fourth and one for the fifth), 91 of which for the first place (out of 101 total) and only 8 for the second . Just one nomination for the record for Embiid (five for Curry) and 62 for second position.

Only six players nominated for first place: in addition to the top three, a preference for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished fourth overall after winning the last two editions, two for Chris Paul (5th) and one for Derrick Rose.

However, there are some surprises, such as the 14th place of LeBron James, which scored just one point.

These are the words of Jokic after the appointment: “This mvp shows me that I’m doing a good job, but I’m used to being underestimated. If I look at the roll of honor, if I read those names, it’s impressive because I never thought of to be part of it, but alone I would never have made it. I grew up with the team that worked with me, accepted me for who I am. This award is for the whole team and motivates me even more to aim to win the title”.