JJ Redick Gets Pissed at Kendrick Perkins for Saying MVP Voters Racist! First Take NBA Nikola Jokic

Summary

The video features a heated debate about the MVP voting process in the NBA, focusing on Nikola Jokić’s candidacy. Kendrick Perkins argues that MVP votes are influenced by race, specifically that white players like Jokić and Steve Nash have been favored in the past. However, his co-panelist challenges this claim, emphasizing the importance of advanced stats and team success in determining MVP. The discussion also touches on the impressive performances of Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ultimately, the debate reveals contrasting views on how MVP voters should evaluate players and their respective contributions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kendrick Perkins criticizes the use of advanced stats, claiming they don’t reflect real gameplay but are often useful in complementing the eye test.
• 😀 Advanced stats, like those from Second Spectrum, track shot quality and reveal that Nikola Jokic is among the top five players in creating good shots for teammates.
• 😀 Jokic’s playmaking is highlighted, particularly his ability to make quick decisions, such as kicking out to the corner for the most efficient three-point shots.
• 😀 The MVP race has been contentious, with players like Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash having won the award despite not being top scorers, raising questions about the criteria for voting.
• 😀 Magic Johnson’s MVP wins in the late 80s and early 90s are used to argue against the idea that MVP voters are biased toward high-scoring players.
• 😀 The MVP voting process is based on the current regular season, not past performances or playoff runs, meaning voters should focus on that season's impact.
• 😀 The argument that white players winning MVP is due to race, made by Perkins, is criticized, especially with examples like Magic Johnson, who won multiple MVPs despite not being in the top 10 in scoring.
• 😀 Perkins’ claim that the MVP voting system favors white players due to a majority of white voters is contested, with critics pointing out the absurdity of suggesting racism based on such statistics.
• 😀 The MVP voting process is questioned by Perkins, who argues that there is no clear criteria on what determines the winner, such as whether it’s the best record, individual stats, or advanced stats.
• 😀 The critique of Jokic’s play and MVP candidacy involves baseless claims about stat-padding, with no real evidence to support the accusation.
• 😀 The video argues that Perkins is spreading false narratives and damaging reputations, both for MVP voters and Jokic, with no credible evidence of racism or stat-padding involved in the MVP race.

Q & A

What is the main argument Kendrick Perkins is making regarding MVP voting?

Kendrick Perkins argues that MVP voting is influenced by racial bias, suggesting that white voters favor white players, such as Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, even when their performances don't meet the typical MVP criteria.

How does the script address the issue of 'advanced stats'?

The script acknowledges that while Kendrick Perkins dislikes advanced stats, they are used to support the argument that Nikola Jokić is one of the best players in the league by measuring his ability to create high-quality shots for teammates, among other metrics.

What does the script say about Nikola Jokić's playing style?

The script describes Nikola Jokić as a highly skilled player who excels in making reads on the court, especially when deciding whether to shoot or pass. He is known for creating good shots for his teammates, particularly through corner three-point passes.

What is the significance of 'second Spectrum' in the discussion?

Second Spectrum is a company that installed tracking cameras in NBA arenas to track players' actions. The script highlights how their technology is used to measure and analyze shot quality, revealing that Jokić ranks in the top five for creating high-quality shots for his teammates.

Why does Kendrick Perkins bring up the fact that MVP voters are mostly white?

Perkins uses the racial composition of MVP voters (80% white, 20% other) to argue that this might influence MVP voting in favor of white players, particularly those like Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, despite their statistical performances not aligning with typical MVP criteria.

What is the criticism against Kendrick Perkins' view on MVP voting?

The criticism argues that Perkins is misrepresenting the reasons behind MVP voting, suggesting that players like Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki won because of racial bias, which critics say is a flawed argument. The criticism also notes that MVP voting is based on regular-season performance, not race.

What was the controversy about MVP voting for Steve Nash in 2006?

In 2006, Steve Nash won the MVP despite not being among the top 10 in scoring, which sparked debate. Some critics felt he didn't deserve the award, especially since the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs had better team records and players with higher individual stats.

How does the script respond to Perkins' claim that MVP voting favors white players?

The script dismisses Perkins' claim as inaccurate, pointing out that the majority of the league's players are black, and the suggestion that the MVP voting is racially biased is flawed. It also emphasizes that MVP voting is based on performance, not racial considerations.

What is the issue with Perkins' cutoff point for MVP voting analysis?

Perkins cuts off his analysis of MVP voting at 1990, but the script argues that this arbitrary cutoff overlooks players like Magic Johnson, who won MVPs despite not being in the top 10 for scoring. This undermines Perkins' attempt to build a racial narrative around MVP voting.

What is the script's final stance on the MVP race between Jokić and Embiid?

The script acknowledges that while Nikola Jokić is a highly skilled player, there is significant debate about who should win the MVP, with Joel Embiid also having a strong case due to his high scoring and defensive contributions. However, it rejects the narrative of MVP voting being racially biased.