In a surprising and humbling admission, Shaquille O’Neal recently named Nikola Jokic as one of the top 5 centers of all time, even placing him ahead of himself. During an episode of “First Things First” with Nick Wright and Chris Broussard, O’Neal was asked about the criteria Jokic would need to meet to join the elite list of centers.
“I wouldn’t put myself in there,” O’Neal said humbly. “But people judge talent in many ways. Stats, of course, is one of them. Championships is one of them. He has one. I think if he gets up in that three championships realm, he’ll definitely be on the list. He’s on that list for me.”
Nick Wright asks Shaq what Jokic needs to accomplish in order to be considered a top 5 center of all time.
“He’s on that list for me” pic.twitter.com/ihcjkx2eC6
— n i k o l a e s t h e t i c (@nikolaesthetic) November 14, 2024
O’Neal’s willingness to exclude himself and nominate Jokic speaks volumes about his respect for the Denver Nuggets star.
Jokic, who has already won an NBA championship and Finals MVP, as well as three regular-season MVPs, continues to redefine the role of a big man in the modern NBA. His elite scoring, playmaking, and versatility have made him a standout player in today’s game.
