Sports fans and pundits are terrible at putting what we see with our own eyes each night into greater historical context. Few sports struggle with this as much as the NBA.
Finally accepting Nikola Jokic is the greatest centre of all time hurt my soul, especially as an NBA historian, but its become undeniable. Jokic has solved basketball.
Jokic has not finished outside top two in MVP voting since the 2019/20 season, winning MVP three times over that period. Add in his NBA Championship, FMVP, and seven All-NBA selections and he has a resume worthy of being in positional greatest of all time discussions.
Last year Jokic averaged 10.2 assists per game on the way to becoming the third ever player to average a triple double across a regular season. Somehow, he’s increased his assists to 11.1 per game so far this season.
Having finished runner up in total assists three seasons in a row, Jokic is leading the way this season. But his assists aren’t just standard pick and rolls, but rather reading defensive coverages and targeting their weak points, giving his teammates wide open shots.
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Having a defensive scheme that can regularly limit the Serb’s production is set to become the highest paying coaching job in the league. Coaches have given up on doubling him due to his almost unmatched ability to find the spare man.
So, what happens when you play good man to man defence on his teammates and force him to shoot? He drops 55 from 23 shots.
Clippers head coach, Tyronn Lue, said after the game, “Our game plan was to make him score and take away his passing… I didn’t think he would score 55.” I have sympathy for Lue, as I am clueless to what more his side could have done to limit Jokic.
Ordinarily, the solution to dominant bigs has been simple, send them to the line or make them shoot threes. Shaq shot 52% from free throws across his career, whilst Giannis is averaging 28.6% from three so far in his career.
Nikola Jokic shot 41.7% from three last season and 80% from free throws.
Athleticism is normally a key part of a hoopers success. Clearly, no one told Jokic. He is 6’11” (211cm), so by no means is he not physically gifted, but he does not poses the agility of Curry, the, the herculean strength of Giannis, or the unworldly athletic capabilities of LeBron.
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Elite NBA players normally have physical dominance they can fall back on: be it speed and vertical jump like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and Ja Morant, or size and strength like Anthony Davis or Joel Embiid.
NBA draft scouts bias both being American and athletic ability, which explains why Jokic was drafted 41st overall, a mid second round pick, back in 2014. Jokic has also become the only NBA player to become an MVP, having been drafted during a Taco Bell advert.
Most criticism of Jokic has nothing to do with his game. NBA loudmouths don’t like him because he’s Serbian, a bit chubby, and would rather be at home watching horse racing than playing basketball. Shaq still refuses to acknowledge Jokic’s greatness and ESPN First Takes have only just started.
Shaquille O’Neal remains the fans favourite pick as the greatest centre of all time, but with each game Jokic plays it becomes increasingly difficult to defend this stance. Shaq was a dominating physical force, but his basketball ability left a lot to be desired.
Hakeem Olajuwon remains my favourite ever centre, but he can not match the versatility of Jokic’s game. Hakeem is undoubtedly the greatest back down, low post player there’s been, but Jokic is also elite in this regard and is better at all other aspects of basketball.
One man stands between Jokic and his unanimous status as being the games greatest centre. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains the blueprint of what a centre should be. The sky hook remains the most unstoppable shot in basketball, just ahead of Curry from range.
Abdul-Jabbar still leads Jokic in counting stats such as points, FMVPs, MVPs, and championships. Ring culture makes the argument for Jokic difficult, as he only has one chip. But forget all the accolades, if you were sat in Rucker Park watching the pair play, you would pick Jokic as the best on the court.
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Personally, my mind is made up. I’m a Lakers fan, I have every incentive to argue in favour of Abdul-Jabbar, but I can’t. Jokic plays positionless basketball and can utilise any shot in basketball. Whilst Kareem was an evolutionary, he was limited to just his role.
Basketball’s evolution will hurt Kareem in historical debates. It’s unfair to assess a player who was well into his career when the three-point line was introduced on his ability to lace it from deep. But Jokic can, so why should factors like these not count?
Jokic is on pace for another triple double season, this time leading the league in assists and rebounds. It will be difficult to not award him a fourth MVP if he does all three. Player’s need to be given their flowers whilst they are still on the court to receive them, and Nikola Jokic deserves his flowers.
Jake Holmes (editor)
Jake grew up in London as an avid football and basketball fanatic. He has written on the Premier League, La Liga, and several of other leagues across Europe. Along with his writing, he has hosted podcasts on the NBA and works London City Lionesses. Jake focuses on tactical analysis along with wider socio-political issues affecting sport at all levels. [email protected]
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