For his performance in sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was named Most Valuable Player of the Series.
The Joker, two-time Major League Player of the Year, middle 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, 11.8 assists and shot 50.6 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from outside the arc. He hit two of the most incredible shots you will ever see in Game 4.
Whenever Jokic had the ball in his hands, something good usually happened. Aside from the first half in Game 3 and the fourth quarter in Game 1, he dominated.
But another survivor deserves more honor than The Joker: Jamal Murray
Former Kentucky star middle 32.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists against the Lakers, shooting 52.7 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from three and 95 percent from the free throw line.
per ESPN’s”Sports CenterMurray is the first player in NBA history to average 30 points shooting 50-40-90 in the Conference Finals.
During the regular season, Morey averaged 20 points, 6.2 assists and four rebounds with split shooting 45.4 / 39.8 / 83.3. Murray’s argument for his eligibility for Western Conference Finals MVP relies on the perceived uptick in his performance during the Conference Finals compared to his regular season play.
Jokic is expected to dominate his insane record over the past three seasons. Who is he.
When a player performs at a historic high, teams can strategize to counter. But when two players are working at a high level, it becomes almost impossible to stop the team.
Murray’s performance was the deciding factor in the Nuggets’ sweep.
His first 30-point inning in game three potentially saved the Nuggets from a precarious 2-1 lead.
What Murray did during this series broke the spirit of Los Angeles. That is why he was deservedly MVP of the Western Conference Finals.