Nikola Jokic is one of the best basketball players in the NBA right now. He is leading the Eastern Conference No.1 seed, Denver Nuggets, into the playoffs once again. He is the holder of the previous 2 league MVPs. The Joker could be on his way to making history by defending his crown after averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. However, not everyone is convinced that Jokic is deserving of a third consecutive MVP.
DeMarcus Cousins joined the Denver Nuggets for the 2021-22 season. The 4x All-Star had the opportunity to play as a backup for the Serbian. As Jokic was at the peak of his powers, it was not easy to replace him and give him rest in-between games. However, Cousins ended up contributing 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds, playing 31 games for them. However, he is not backing up his former teammate this year for the MVP.
DeMarcus Cousins speaks against Nikola Jokic for a third consecutive MVP
Cousins opened up about his former teammate, Jokic winning a third consecutive MVP. The 4x All-Star featured in the latest episode of KG Certified. Cousins didn’t agree with the consensus of Jokic lifting the league MVP three times in a row. “I’m not okay with it being three MVPs in a row because it then becomes a conversation of is this the best basketball player to ever touch a basketball? And I think we can all agree on that and say it’s not. I’m not saying he can’t be, not saying he doesn’t deserve more down the road.” Cousins said.
Demarcus Cousins says he’s not comfortable with Nikola Jokic winning three MVPs in a row because that would put him in the G.O.A.T conversation
“He hasn’t won anything.”
(Via @shobasketball )
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 10, 2023
Cousins highlighted the fact that Jokic hasn’t led the Nuggets to a championship. “At this stage in his career, I’m not okay with saying that. He hasn’t won anything. He hasn’t been to a final. Like, it’s a lot of things still in play for that. That’s my only concern,” Cousins continued. He backed his claim as he has failed to replicate what some of the best centers in the history of the league have accomplished in terms of championships.
“We’re putting him over the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain. It’s like, that’s a tough conversation to have because we’ve seen what these guys have done,” Cousins mentioned. These players had a massive impact on the team in terms of winning championships for their teams. Nikola by far has not been close to winning a championship for the Nuggets, and it does not sit well with his former teammate.