The NBA Finals begin on Thursday night and Nuggets star Nikola Jokić is still not garnering the respect he deserves.
Stephen A. Smith of ESPN’s First Take gave his top 5 list of players who deserve supermax contracts on Wednesday, and Jokić was not on the list.
Smith listed Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum as the five players he believed were worthy of being the league’s highest-paid stars.
It was likely an honest mistake by Smith, but it’s not the first time that Jokić has been snubbed.
Stephen A Smith leaves Nikola Jokic off of his supermax list 😳 pic.twitter.com/Vy9AdMzn3z
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 31, 2023
ESPN basketball commentator Mark Jackson left Jokić off his MVP ballot, before admitting his mistake and apologizing last month. Joel Embiid of the 76ers ultimately won the award, while Jokić finished second in his quest for three straight league MVPs.
Much like Jackson, Smith got flamed on social media for the Jokić snub. Here are some of the best reactions to his interesting list.
A 38 year old Lebron deserves a super max contract? That’s comedy. https://t.co/S5pOVKy1IW
— Zeno ☘️ (@Zeno1273) June 1, 2023
Well obviously. He won't get ratings if he says the people everyone thinks should get the supermax, gets the supermax https://t.co/MJe6B50y6W
— Turtle (@Sageof6turtles) June 1, 2023
Where is Nikola Jokic! #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/WoxAp5AvRk pic.twitter.com/vh3bcWd26V
— Maliika Walker (@maliikawalker) June 1, 2023
Stephen "HeS nOt BoX oFfIcE" Smith https://t.co/2RyWOyWwEe
— San (@swisharmyknife_) June 1, 2023
