For the first time in their 47 year history the Denver Nuggets have won an NBA championship after defeating the Miami Heat in five games. The Nuggets made NBA history with a spectacular playoff run and have the structure in place to be a title contending team for years to come. Literally and Figuratively speaking their superstar in Nikola Jokic has been at the center of their success and will likely continue to do so well into the future. With this particular run, Jokic not only has become a champion but has also etched his named some of the greatest players to play the game. With that said, a lot of conversation has and will continue to be discussed specifically about where Jokic should be ranked among all-time great centers after this amazing championship run. After all that he has achieved so far in his career I will weigh where he should rank compared to the greatest big men to ever play.
For his career, Jokic's numbers of 20.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assist only begin to show his greatness as he has ascended to the level of superstardom since capturing his first MVP in the 20-21 season. Obviously, Jokic has come a long way since being drafted as the 41st overall pick in the second round famously during a Taco Bell commercial. His career has reached heights even he stated he didn't expect as he stated in the locker room after winning the championship that " I couldn't believe I was going to be in the NBA".
Jokic captured his first title and first Finals MVP but the stats he put up during this playoff run are unlike any player we've seen at any position in NBA history. In the playoffs, Jokic nearly averaged a triple double putting up 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. He also was incredibly efficient shooting 54.8% from the field and 46.1% from three-point range.
Jokic's playoff numbers became even more historic as the Nuggets advanced as he became the first player in NBA history to lead a single postseason in points, rebounds, and assists. Jokic's skills as a passing savant were on full display as he became the first center to lead the playoffs in assists since the great Wilt Chamberlain in 1967. His all around play was also historic as his 10 triple-doubles in the 2023 playoffs mark the most in a single postseason in NBA history. His Finals performance has put his name among the all-time greats as he became the 4th player to average 30+ points and 14+ rebounds. He has joined the elite company of Shaquille O'Neal, Elgin Baylor, and Bob Petit as the only other players to accomplish such a feat.
After all he has accomplished this postseason and so far in his career he should be considered one of the greatest centers of all time but where should he be ranked? I believe he still has to acquire quite a bit more hardware to become a top five center ever as my list includes Kareem, Shaq, Chamberlain, Olajuwon, and Russell. Still, I believe after that it is certainly fair to have him as high as the 6th greatest center ever which in my opinion puts him ahead of Hall of Famers like David Robinson, Moses Malone, and Patrick Ewing.
Impressively, with Jokic in his prime years at just 28 years old and the Nuggets primed to contend for titles for years to come climbing into the top five list of all-time great centers is not out of the question.
Source: NBA YouTube Channel
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