How a championship would forever change Nikola Jokic’s legacy

So how high can Jokic climb?

In my top 20, in no order, when I released my list back in November of 2021 were Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Julius Erving,  Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Kevin Garnett, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

I had the Greek Freak at the 20th spot but I would have ranked him ahead of West (19th) if I were to do it again. I would also rank ahead of Garnett and that would place him around the 17-18 range on my list where I had Moses Malone, a three-time MVP and led the Sixers to the 1983 title over Kareem and Magic to conclude a dominant playoff run.

So how high would Jokic climb for me if he won a title? Well, if he accomplishes this, winning the first title in Nuggets history I’ll slot him ahead of “Mr. Clutch” Jerry West and place him at 19th on the list if I were to redo it. Garnett is interesting, as he was the 2004 MVP (one less than Jokic who won back-to-back in ’21 & ’22) and was a revolutionary player who redefined the game with his versatility on both ends of the court while also being one of the league’s absolute greatest defensive players ever and having a Defensive Player of the Year on his resume which he won in 2008.

Garnett also only has one ring, as his prime was mostly toiled away on a Minnesota Timberwolves franchise before getting traded to the Boston Celtics in July 2007 to join Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and a young Rajon Rondo where they ultimately won the tile in 2008 over the Bryant-Pau Gasol led Lakers.

Winning a title wouldn’t put him over Garnett for me (just yet) as the defensive side of the ball has to matter Garnett was a 12-time All-Defensive selection with nine of those being first-team.

Jokic can climb as high as the top 12-17 range where I would currently have guys such as Durant, Giannis, Dr. J, and both Malones with Garnett just outside. Assuming he continues on his current trajectory, let’s say he finishes with two or three titles for his career and wins another MVP or two that’ll make him a 3-4 time MVP with multiple titles.

That will certainly vault him past the aforementioned Garnett, both Malones, Dr. J, and Durant. That leaves just Giannis, who is a contemporary of Jokic in the same generation. He’s even more accomplished as a player with two MVPs in 2019 and 2020 and also winning the DPOY in 2020, becoming one of three players to achieve such a feat (Jordan, Olajuwon).

“The Greek Freak” also has five consecutive unanimous first-team All-NBA selections (most in NBA History) while including four All-Defensive first-team honors. They both are the two best current players in the league and probably have been the last three years including this season.

Both are currently on pace to be top 15 players ever and depending on what you prefer is who will rank higher for you. If you like dominance on both ends and brute force with freakish abilities, Giannis is your guy. If you prefer a more skilled player who can knock down shots, has the IQ on the court of a Bird mixed with Magic while being 7-foot tall and is the greatest passing center ever then Jokic is your man.

These types of debates and conversations are always fun, whether that’s in sports with our favorite athletes, music with our favorite rappers, and ranking our best movies and tv shows of all time always causes varying opinions on social media.

Jokic is as unique because he can’t jump the side of a curb, but yet still dominates the game against more athletic superhuman NBA players. Yet he makes it look so easy. He already is one of the greatest players ever, the only question is how high will he climb when his career is all said and done?

Only time will tell, but a first title will be a mega step in a massive upward trajectory for one of the most unique stars in the game’s history.