Charles Barkley’s ‘Damn Idiot’ Take on Missed Nikola Jokic MVP Vote Resurfaces

For several days, many NBA fans and media personalities had been wondering who was the one voter who didn’t list Denver star Nikola Jokić among the five players on their MVP ballot after 76ers center Joel Embiid won the award last week. On Thursday, that question was answered, as the NBA released the voting ballots for this year’s MVP award. 

It turns out that distinction belongs to ESPN broadcaster Mark Jackson.

The former Warriors coach instead included Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Donovan Mitchell, in that order, on his ballot.

On Monday, before Jackson’s ballot was revealed, Charles Barkley railed into the rogue voter for not including the two-time reigning MVP and leader of Denver’s top-seeded squad. “There's one person—I don't even know this fool's name—didn't even have [Jokic] in the top five. People like that shouldn't get a vote ... He's a damn idiot."

After learning that undesired label belonged to Jackson on Thursday, social media revisited Barkley’s reaction and let Jackson have it.