In 2005, Shaquille O’Neal averaged 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in his first season with the Miami Heat. However, O’Neal would narrowly lose the MVP award to upstart point guard Steve Nash in Phoenix.
Shaq has maintained for years how upset he was at losing this MVP, as he ended up as a one-time MVP in his career. Nash on the other hand would go on to win two MVPs in consecutive seasons.
The main reason Nash won those two MVPs was because of his team record, as Nash orchestrated a new ‘seven seconds’ offense pioneered by head coach Mike D’Antoni that caused Phoenix to blow the best teams in the West out of the water.
This season, the Phoenix Suns have done the same and have a record that is towering over the rest of the league. However, the team’s lead scorer Devin Booker is not receiving MVP consideration, and Shaq had something to say about that.
“Steve Nash won MVP winning 60+ games averaging 16 and 11. Book gonna win 60+ averaging 26 and 6 and won’t even get consideration.”
This year’s MVP race is as open as it has been in many years. However, with 9 games left in the season for most teams, it’s looking like the top three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid is more or less locked. There have been cases made for Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and others, but at this point, it seems like the top three are decided.
Booker definitely deserves to be in the top three, if not be the MVP himself. The criteria for the award changes every year, as this year they are looking at individual dominance. However, most years would see Booker get the award for averaging 26 points and being on the best team in the league.
