Nikola Jokic could become an NBA champion, Finals MVP, and two-time MVP by the age of 28 if the Denver Nuggets can beat the Miami Heat in the ongoing Finals.
His game is unique, Jokic has already earned the title of the best passing big man ever. And Mark Jackson thinks his ability and achievements have already made him a Top 10 center in NBA history.
“He’s a point guard. I don’t care how you describe it, he’s a point guard,” Mark Jackson said while commentating on Game 2. “Behind the back, and takes the contact. Just the sððūðð level… I already said earlier in the year he’s a top 10 center of all time. Question is, where does he fit? Because he’s clearly in there. Without a doubt.”
The center position has seen perhaps the most dominant superstars of any of the five positions in NBA history. The NBA’s first great rivalry was between two legendary centers, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a case to be the GOAT and he was a center. Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Walton, David Robinson, Dwight Howard, there have been some truly great big men in this league.
But the fact that Nikola Jokic averages a triple-double in the playoffs as a center makes him a unicorn the likes of which has never been seen before. The Serbian is averaging 30.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.1 assists so far in the playoffs, there has never been anyone like him before.
Nikola Jokic Broke Wilt Chamberlain’s Record Triple-Doubles By A Center
Wilt Chamberlain is the god of individual statistics and dominant play. The numbers he put up were mind-boggling and he still holds many NBA records despite having retired half a century ago. Just this season though, Nikola Jokic broke his record for most triple-doubles by a center, a monumental accomplishment.
There have been many fans and media members alike who have doubted Jokic and tried to talk him down. But his legendary playoff run has silenced even the loudest of his critics. It feels absurd to put someone on the all-time list when they’re still in their prime and haven’t won a championship yet, but Nikola Jokic’s sheer ability and excellence make it hard to argue that he’s not in there.
