The best of this day in NBA sports history. June 8. First Serbian MVP, Shaq’s NBA Finals record, Karl Malone’s 11th All-NBA First Team, Larry Bird’s second NBA Finals MVP, Game 5 at 98 degrees, 13 for Johnson, and the New Orleans Jazz. What happened on this day in NBA sports history?
First Serbian MVP
Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic was named NBA MVP, becoming the first Nuggets player and the lowest draft pick to earn such recognition. He is the first Serbian player to be selected MVP and joined Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) as European NBA MVP winners.
Shaq’s NBA Finals Record
Shaquille O’Neal, then playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, tied the NBA record for most blocks in an NBA Finals game in Game 2 of the 2001 NBA Finals, a 98-89 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. O’Neal blocked eight shots, matching the same number of blocks recorded by Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Patrick Ewing.
Karl Malone’s 11th All-NBA First Team
Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz is selected to the NBA’s 11th All-NBA First Team, an NBA record.
Bird’s second NBA Finals MVP
Boston’s Larry Bird, with a performance of 29 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds, helped Boston beat Houston 114-97 in Game 6, marking the Celtics’ 16th NBA title and his second NBA Finals MVP in three years.
Game 5 at 98 degrees
Bird responded to the challenge of playing with the thermometer on the court. “I love playing in the heat,” Bird said. “I just run faster and create my own wind.” Bird shot 15-of-20 from the field and scored 34 points in Boston’s 121-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the Finals.
13 for Johnson
Jamaal Wilkes scored 27 points and Magic Johnson added a magical triple-double (13 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists) as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated Philadelphia 114-104 in Game 6 of the Finals. It was their second NBA title in three years.
New Orleans Jazz
The New Orleans Jazz moved to Salt Lake City and became the Utah Jazz.
Final Thoughts: This Day In NBA Sports History
If you missed the last article entitled This Day In NBA Sports History, read about it here on June 7.
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