With the 2024–25 NBA regular season in the books and teams now deep into the first round of the playoffs, individual award winners are starting to be revealed. The most prestigious of them all, of course, is the MVP. Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been named finalists, and D’Angelo Russell of the Brooklyn Nets didn’t hesitate to make his pick.
“I will say Jokic is going to win MVP,” Russell said during a recent appearance on The Backyard Podcast. “He should be going on like his fifth MVP right now. And it is what it is. That’s where I’m standing.”
The Nets guard was quick to clarify that he has deep respect for what Gilgeous-Alexander accomplished this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder: “We’re going to hold on all of that, because Shai… flowers, brother, I ain’t taking nothing from you.”
Still, D-Lo admitted that Jokic’s level of play is simply too dominant to ignore when it comes to the MVP conversation. “Like, we can’t just keep looking over dude… I wish I would say it louder so y’all could hear me… He’s unbelievable,” said Russell.
Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell named Nikola Jokic his favorite for the MVP award.
Who D’Angelo Russell favors between Denver and Clippers
During the same podcast appearance, D’Angelo Russell was asked about the playoff matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers. At first, the guard hesitated and took a moment before answering: “Kawhi Leonard… I think everybody should be worried about the Clippers.”
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Nikola Jokic sends strong message to NBA fans about Denver vs Clippers playoff matchup
The Brooklyn player then explained his reasoning. “I think coaching matters and Denver don’t really have that,” he said, referring to the surprising departure of Michael Malone just over a week ago. “They have that problem in that situation. I think that can either be the reason they win too, they just have that raw feeling just out there too.”
Summing up his final thoughts on the Nuggets vs. Clippers series, Russell concluded: “Jokic is the best player in the world, so I can’t bet against him. But if Kawhi and James (Harden) do what they’ve been doing all season, there’s no way they lose. So… I’m going Clippers, bro.”
When is Game 3 between Denver and Clippers?
The series between the Nuggets and the Clippers is tied 1–1 after the first two games at Ball Arena. Now, the action shifts to Intuit Dome for Games 3 and 4, which will be played Thursday night and Saturday afternoon in Inglewood.
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