Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic recently wrapped up yet another monster regular season, which saw him become just the third player ever to average a triple-double. That alone puts him in rare air, with him already skyrocketing up all-time lists, but NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal recently put him in an elite category.
Shaq is normally highly critical of today's players, especially big men, but he was effusive with his praise of Jokic, believing that he is a top 5 center of all time. While that may come as a shock to some NBA fans, it's getting harder and harder to counter that argument.
There is little doubt that Jokic is the best player in the NBA and has a strong claim to being so for the last four seasons. That can't be overlooked with a few all-time greats being able to say that for more than a season or two, if at all.
The case for Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic being an all-time great is too hard to ignore.
It wasn't just Shaq who showered him with praise; recently, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr put him above another elite all-time center. Kerr, who played with greats such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Tim Duncan, and David Robinson, stated that Jokic is better than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Although he has since been replaced as the league's all-time leading scorer by LeBron James, Abdul-Jabbar is likely the third-greatest player in NBA history behind Jordan and James. Jokic being compared favorably to one of the three greatest players in NBA history would put him in the greatest of all time discussions.
He already has a stellar resume when it comes to all-time great rankings. Nevertheless, Kerr believes that he has done enough to be ranked among the greatest players of all time.
That may be controversial considering that he is only 30 years old and still has at least five seasons ahead of him. Be that as it may, it means that he could only stand to improve his rankings.
All told, Jokic is increasingly seen as a top 10 player of all time, with several NBA legends placing him even higher. His winning another championship this season would only cement his legacy and potentially allow him to come into the top five all-time. But even without another championship, he is already among the all-time greats.