Stephen A. & JJ Redick DEBATE if Nikola Jokic is the BEST big man in NBA history | First Take

[@LFNZE]

JJ is probably the best thing to come out of hosts these recent years.. he isn't afraid of calling out people and saying things straight to their faces.

[@ziginaigra]

but he said that shaq is not more dominat than jokic lol

[@d.o.5910]

shaq was physically dominant but if you actually watch basketball, you'd understand how dominant jokic is in terms of being impossible to gameplan against. try to turn him into a scorer? he is a 3 lvl scorer and has one of the best finishing touches in NBA history double him constantly? he's one of the best passers ever, and not just for a big man you couldnt guard shaq, but you could make the lakers sweat by running hack a shaq - which resulted in losses to the spurs

[@LFNZE]

@@ziginaigra Shaq don't have the same skills as Jokic give me a break lmfao, you can't compare him to Jokic, Jokic make 3s, 2s and on the post. That's without mentioning the rebounds, assists and he is 7ft tall (same as shaq)

[@Tb-tl4ni]

It's cool when JJ I does it but its a turn off when Perk does it. Wow

[@LFNZE]

@@Tb-tl4ni Perks is a racist and xenophobic, he doesn't deserve respect or his opinion being heard

[@taXicity]

JJ is the only guy with a spine and integrity and bravery to consider facts and speak up. Never change, JJ.

[@younghannibal7434]

Facts 💯

[@imfinishedgrinding638]

He's great in defending and validating great players in the modern generation but I wish he wasn't so dismissive of the older generation. It's his biggest flaw as an analyst being a tad bit biased towards the newer generation.

[@hassonmusic]

@@imfinishedgrinding638 Agreed.

[@yurrgee]

@@imfinishedgrinding638It’s bc JJ experienced the NBA evolving in real time while he was in the league. So he’s knows for a FACT the older gen doesnt compare to the newer gen. I feel like he articulates this way bc Stephen A is more firm on his beliefs, so he has to stand firm on what he knows.

[@RetroNBA42]

@@yurrgee Yes Jokic, Embiid, and KAT, and these No heart no defense offensive rules players are way more in shape and definitely ardent fat and more skilled than Wilt, Shaq, Kareem. 🤡

[@Nocloutchaser23]

I was waiting for Mad Dog to mention a team from the Stone Age and he didn’t disappoint 😂

[@marcindawidmatysik5156]

86' is not Stone Age. Come on now 😂😂 You make me feel old 😅😅

[@vivalasexy]

86 is definitely not stone age lol

[@xBigHomieJPx]

Not even gonna lie as soon as he started talking about the 86 Celtics I turned the video off lol

[@AmericanJohnGrass]

I haven’t watched First Take in a long time. Are they just trying to create a new Skip Bayless with this guy?

[@10blackguys66]

@@AmericanJohnGrassfacts😊

[@TheEldudeness]

I like the fact that JJ actually challenges Stephen A. you can even see mad dog smiling🤣

[@JesseWhiteman117]

Mostly because Steven and Kendrick were the only harshest critics out there for him. Now that Jokic is hot they are backpedaling. JJ is like "talk that talk like you did before!"

[@aleksandarnesic3693]

Stephen looking down says everything 💯

[@Growth-qy1mz]

JJ does too much at times

[@charlespresnell882]

​@@JesseWhiteman117 9😅

[@josephgreene4174]

This is the dynamic trio cause they check and balance each other.

[@Hechaldo]

In an era where superstars on teams play "my turn, your turn"...this Nuggets team is a breath of fresh air. The unselfishness of their whole team should be applauded. Especially since their superstar Jokic has a mindset that's based on making the guys around him better and always feeding the ball to the right man. Jokic is the epitome of a team captain. I see more championships in the future for this team.

[@jessekittrell2946]

Lol rightttttt..... their organizations DID THEIR JOB. Ha its funny how the Bucks didn't win until HIS ORGANIZATION made a huge trade for Holiday giving Giannis MULTIPLE All Def defenders plus an All Star closer in Middleton. Funny how the Nuggets got swept in the 2nd rd & got bounced in the 1st rd 1-4 with Murray out the last 2 playoffs winning 1 rd going 5-10 (even with Jokic winning MVP)..... yet the last 2 he's played in they made the WCFs & just won it all winning 6 rbs going 25-14. Lol Murray just almost avgd a 20 pt triple double in the Finals 😂. Also Gordon's in his prime & MPJ is about to start his. Lebrons cavs for 7 years drafted guys like Luke Jackson/Shannon Brown/Boobie Gibson/JJ Hickson/etc..... his BEST TEAMMATE his last playoff series before leaving (after giving them MULTIPLE contracts to build around him) was 37 year old fat Shaq struggling to avg 11/5 in the playoffs lol. They lost Boozer Lebrons 2nd season from low balling him. Just stop 🤦🏼‍♂️😂.

[@RainbowBandana]

Bro we already had that in golden state stop repeating what you heard

[@RAZGR1Z]

@@RainbowBandana We already had that in San Antonio.

[@purplepill2024]

@@jessekittrell2946, not exactly understanding your point here. Basketball is a 5-person team game, so everyone needs help. Jordan and Pippen didn't win without each other, Kobe never won without another dominant big - and LeBron needed another All-NBA caliber teammate. Nobody does it by themselves.

[@cleekmaker00]

In my mind, the Nuggets are proof positive that the SuperTeam model is a complete fallacy.

[@gummaray9126]

Congrats to Nuggets, and big respect to JJ. That's how you talk: confident, direct and with argument.

[@TedAlexandro]

It’s embarrassing to have these two dinosaurs alongside JJ. Stephen A blathers on about preferring Shaq to Jokíc and Russo harps on the ‘86 Celtics.

[@bradhicks5558]

JJ's "aesthetics vs. effectiveness" is spot on about dominant big-man comparisons. Joker's 5+ tool effectiveness is probably one of one historically.

[@abdullahihassan7344]

Stephen A said he wouldn’t refute it because of the stats but he prefers Shaq. I don’t know why JJ gets emotional

[@ricardolozano5356]

​@@abdullahihassan7344 it's the current players are better argument from Reddick

[@ricardolozano5356]

the 86 Celtics are a random team huh?

[@JoelleEmbitch]

@@ricardolozano5356 It randomly came out of his mouth. No one was talking about that celtics team in this context. He just randomly brought that up.

[@Kevon420]

That’s why Shaq loves Jokic so much. There’s been great centers in the league since Shaq’s prime but none since that were *uniquely* great and dominant until The Joker. Shaq was a one of one in his own way and now Joker is one of one in his own, new way and Shaq recognizes that. You celebrate both of you love basketball.

[@whodatking26]

JJ had his foot down on SaS and was slowly but surely putting more and more pressure until there was just no where to go. Watching that happen was so enjoyable.

[@MultilinguistGlobalFitBlessed]

*NOWHERE, not no where

[@NyQuilDonut]

@@MultilinguistGlobalFitBlessed No, where?

[@dougstrong5452]

So it's about proper grammar

[@Seryma86]

@Nykaitcha 😂

[@tobaliciousholland12]

​@@MultilinguistGlobalFitBlessednow here

[@justingarfield2663]

You can see the pain Stephen A is pushing through having to talk about the Nuggets for minutes upon minutes 😂

[@nickjones5495]

Bruh what lol you goofy

[@Moroccan_o]

I love Mad Dog 😂😂 Dude literally just gets on this show to randomly talk about an old Celtics team that no one remembers.

[@mihailodomanovic1192]

The "you're a good little host" was gold, never seen Steven A genuine laugh before.

[@RetroNBA42]

Jokic isn’t a top 5 center

[@matt-jd6pu]

He’s so wrong lol This years Nuggets team would destroy any old team like that.. ridiculous

[@matt-jd6pu]

@@RetroNBA42you’re a joke 😆

[@cyber6sapien]

"Did you see Larry Bird"? 😂

[@guslima1130]

To watch JJ swiping the floor with Stephen A. is such a joyful thing.

[@meuniversity8681]

Around the 10:00 mark SAS bailed out Reddick from a black/white thing, because there are folk that can handle that heat but he ain't one.

[@khbrown8963]

Facts most wouldn't be able to handle the nuances

[@JoelleEmbitch]

@@meuniversity8681 What black/white thing??? Lol. Stop making stuff up.

[@albertol9654]

JJ is a yes man.. He has horrible takes.

[@austingreen1274]

@@albertol9654L

[@totsbig]

I actually am enjoying this panel mix. Absurd takes and factual takes all in one! Plus it makes SAS challenged, which is a nice thing to see.

[@Dec4AllTimeAlways]

The disrespect Hakeem Olajuwon gets from ESPN getting ranked below a guy who won his 2 rings by joining a superteam is a travesty. Dream played defense that KD could only dream about.

[@clarkrodriguez3455]

Agreed

[@dotenks]

KD played offense only Hakeem could dream about.

[@dewman7477]

@@dotenksHakeem better winner and leader than KD and Hakeem offence better than KD defence and Hakeem didn’t have to join superteam to win so don’t be a delusional KD sexual sucker a**hole

[@nickbrown4457]

@@dotenks hakeem was very skilled on offense his post work easily better than kd

[@TheGoatLocker]

Agree, and how about the disrespect of Shaq?! 4 rings and easily the most dominate player ever. At least SAS mentioned him.

[@SSJmuna]

Kendrick Perkins owes Jokic a public apology

[@Y2N27]

Tell the truth and shame the devil you are certainly right

[@outtabad]

For what his opinion?

[@PorkChopExpress86]

And his job. Went full on racist and nothing happened. If Perkins was white he'd never work again, fact

[@ivannbg6212]

AMEN BROTHER. AND NICK WRONG. But they have a long list of people who needs to apologize.

[@Issacandjacob]

@@outtabad yep, it was a racist opinion. Cope heavily

[@chilamilla]

Mad Dog had me laughing out loud when he called Stephen A "a good little host."

[@Moroccan_o]

Denver Nuggets are the legit “trust the process” team. They never gave up on their players or coaches!! A true family. Not like other organizations SMH…trading players and firing coaches left and right lol

[@grapplerke]

Umm if you have Jokic, Murray, and MPJ, you don’t need to give up on them. They gave up on Gary Harris.

[@ruhinchakravarty2155]

Bringing the sixers up for no reason

[@Doatello1991]

@@grapplerke Murray was afraid that after his injury, he was gone. Mike Malone was worried about his head coaching career at one point. OP’s description is pretty spot-on.

[@ClarHD]

so they trusted the process since their creation? They've changed their roster and coaches plenty of times. They just got lucky with Jokic, anyone on that team can be replaced, save Murray. Imagine trusting the process for 50+ years with nothing to show for it until the 50th year by luck, lmao. Yall need to stop with the nonesense

[@Doatello1991]

@@ClarHD This process is actually only 8 years old.

[@OG_Phil225]

Hit him with that “but you wanna change the conversation and make it about dominance” 😂😂

[@rachelespiritu4215]

There's such a deep despair in JJ's eyes by the end of this clip. The man wants to talk basketball on the biggest stage... and this is what he has to put up with.

[@IliasLiako]

Happy for Nuggets fans. what a season, what a team, great postseason run. Well deserved .

[@RetroNBA42]

Jokic isn’t a top 5 center

[@afrikanking225]

at this point its obvious that JJ Reddick is looking for a reason to be upset. Get him off the show

[@arthurwright255]

@@RetroNBA42 Yea, probably won't even be in the league next season.

[@robX931]

Always nice to see a small market team win. They earned the Chip.

[@Teffy2105]

Jokic did it without having to run from team to team teaming up with every all-star to win. Jokic and Giannis rings and Curry last season hit different. The champions the last 3 seasons didn’t have to handpick their teams.

[@whoishim2998]

True

[@kingnovi9404]

Rings are rings. Jokic didn’t have to leave because his management did their jobs and put a good team and a good Coach around him

[@461rodney]

​@@kingnovi9404bro no excuse. They did it the right way. Stop !!

[@kingnovi9404]

@@461rodney y’all are so quick to throw out words and terms you don’t even know what they mean. What are you talking about no excuse what excuse did I make. I stated a fact rings are rings and Jokic didn’t have to leave because his ownership and gm did a good job of building a winning organization

[@urbaindelva7869]

​@@461rodney They did it the "organic" way. There is no "right way" to win a chamionship.

[@codyhillson1612]

Yo mad dog drives me nuts sometimes, but he always seems to crack me up and redeem himself every segment. It’s tough being a mad dog fan 😂😂

[@ballertalk1458]

As a hoops fan i am so happy to see the Nuggets go all the way. These last few years, superteams and all this other BS, has taken away from the fact that this is a team sport and star-power alone cant win you a chip. JJ hit it on the head, Denver has the total package and did it the right way, because they were patient. I hope this become the blueprint for teams around the league. You dont need to tank and you dont need a superteam. Put together a team that compliments each other, add talent through the draft, make smart trades where it is needed and just compete.

[@WrongButtonWB]

It takes time, and even more importantly, patience. Not something that's spreading across the league lately. Sadly. But yeah, it's nice to see that the team, who actually did everything the right way, managed to win it all.

[@keithjoseph128]

Superstars and superteams don't exist like debate shows con people into believing.

[@ballertalk1458]

@@keithjoseph128 pls explain this bruh

[@OG_Phil225]

Well tbh the first and the most recent warriors championships weren’t some typical super teams. It was All core drafted players that compliment each other with smart trades here and there and they stayed patient until the dynasty started.. even being a warriors fan I completely agree with you when it comes to the KD teams. When we won those rings it honestly didn’t feel that good. Didn’t really feel like anything was accomplished. Like a varsity team playing a JV tournament. Even the first and most recent parades showed how much more it meant to the fans too. Honestly I think the super team era has taken a step back these past few years because Lebron has gotten older. Normally he’s the one who creates a super team and another organization creates one to challenge him or vise versa..

[@keithjoseph128]

@@ballertalk1458 what do I need to explain? You debate show clowns literally call guys stars and superstars who haven't even made an all-star team. You call teams superteams that have a seven man rotation. Seriously, you believe Joel Anthony and Mario Chalmers started on a superteam? You think guys who are a liability on defense are stars or superstars? I guess if you're talking about fame then yes, unfortunately that's not how that works.

[@datsapaddlin]

Stephen A looks exhausted seeing KD didn’t live up to his best player in the world expectations for another year.

[@bryantbenson5338]

KD is still the best player in the league

[@datsapaddlin]

@@bryantbenson5338 🥱🥱🥱

[@kobedawson2782]

@@bryantbenson5338nope

[@Kornelius707]

Stephan A has been working since Denver won. Before that even

[@StarboundUK]

He's been on that BS train since 2018/9 & only this month just got off it after seeing Giannis & Jokic win MVPs, FMVPs chips & in Giannis case DPOY ... He hates the idea of the best player in NBA being foreign

[@Flyhr]

Hakeem Olajuwon is my pick for the greatest skilled Center of all time. He may be less effective as Jokic in terms of pure offense but defense is also a skill and Hakeem is one of the greatest at that too. Defense + Offense combined Hakeem is the most skilled no question.

[@dylanthevillain01]

4:20 the look on Stephen A and JJ’s face when Mad Dog brings up the ‘86 Celtics 😂

[@denver15]

😂

[@young_scisloving9789]

😂😂😂

[@phillipgoat00]

that team was a joke. I don't even know half of those guys and I don't care about them, most of them didn't know how to dribble, it's like me saying wilt would destroy jokic, who cares, dudes are already dead and players now are way more skilled. dumb dog is just an idiot.

[@cleekmaker00]

@nykaitcha Dawg completely crosses over the Double Yellow line whenever he talks anything outside of Baseball. He's on FT as a 'shock jock' because of his frantic gesticulating and over the top histrionics; the perfect foil for SAS and another nightmare for Ms. Qerim.

[@philwilson609]

86 Celtics couldn't beat a G-league team today. Allen Iverson was 11 years old then so you know the crossover was in its infancy. The Euro step, the step back - not invented. Defensive rotation? Nope! They employed drop coverage outside the foul line. This was stone age hoops - great for then. Now? Not so much.

[@marcsondlucce]

Jj Reddick is a breath of fresh air for this show.😎👍🏽

[@aidanglenane8330]

No he’s clueless

[@MrMarcos2035]

Really great points from Redick. Love his takes and analysis.

[@johnwebb2442]

Congratulations to the Denver Nuggets for winning the NBA Championship.

[@0-2-1]

I hope you emailed or mailed the team cus youtube comments hold no weight

[@007ajhermann]

​@@0-2-1it's all good. I'll relay the message to the team 😎

[@gavriilnick4225]

congratulations to the idiots that voted for embid over Jokic for MVP.....🤮

[@DukeJimbob]

What???? You mean these guys don't care what we think???? I bet a player with the initials KD would get upset with us

[@russellstevens9927]

"Stephen, I love ya! And you're a good little host!" Mad Dog be having me dying! 😂😂😂

[@denver15]

😂😂

[@benthosundercover7916]

replayed it like 5 times i was DYIING lmao gotta be the funniest mad dog moment ive seen he was hilarious whole segment tbh

[@n10sity]

Comparing Jokic to other big men is difficult, because he is nothing like a traditional big man. Dirk is the only other big man of the HoF caliber that even comes close to how Jokic plays the game. So yeah, if you ask someone who learned how a center was supposed to play the game before the concept of the shooting and now the passing big too became a thing if Jokic is the best "big man" then that person is probably going to struggle with an answer. The skill set of the traditional big man and today's big man is too different not to struggle with the comparison. If you think the skill set of a big man is supposed to be skills used to dominant "the paint" both offensively and defensively while controlling the boards, then maybe Jokic is not the "most skilled big man". Shaq may be more "skilled" when you think of the big man in the traditional sense. Personally, I think Hakeem Olajuwon is the most skilled big man in the traditional sense. It is probably more fair to say that Jokic is the most "well-rounded" or "offensively skilled" big man in history. I believe that is basically what Stephen A was trying to say when he talks about dominant. Physicality and aesthetics has a lot too do with that but I think the essence of what he means when says dominant is "dominating the paint" and low post play. Jokic's skill set is more akin to the traditional guard that it is the traditional center. He really is an anomaly.

[@darwinmiclis2342]

Bro stop, u trying to over complicate it based on timelines isn’t needed, shaq was physically more dominant than every one else, yes he had skills don’t get me wrong but he dominated inside the paint with his body and didn’t nothing else really on offense, Jokic looks slow and old at times yet he averages thirty cause of his skill set, he can do legit everything on offense a lot of which shaq can’t dream of doing. And jokic still scores in the paint a lot as well

[@BrandonlLuster]

Dirk played nothing like Jokic. Dirk was a jump shooter, and thats it. He wasn't a great passer, and was a subpar rebounder for a 7 footer.

[@darwinmiclis2342]

@@BrandonlLuster Dirk was just a bucket to be honest

[@n10sity]

​@@BrandonlLuster "Comes close" is relative. I was hoping I wouldn't have to clarify what I meant by that. I did end the comment with the word anomaly after all. Fine. Relative to the other hall of fame big men... Dirk seems more similar to Jokic when compared to the rest of them.

[@distinctga5811]

It's actually easy to compare hit to other big men. They can't shoot the three and, in many cases, free throws well. Jokic shoots it better than guards. Yea, Jokic is way more skilled. Also, the best comparison is Larry Bird. Bird started playing the 4, could shoot pass and rebound at a high clip. They even have similar shooting forms

[@maroonporsche]

Nuggets went 16-4 this years playoffs Comparatively 2022 warriors 16-6 2021 Bucks 16-7 2020 Lakers 16-5 2019 Raptors 16-8 2018 Warriors 16-5 2017 warriors 16-1 This nuggets team was historically dominant

[@deebrown9263]

N they played the weakest team out of all them in the Finals

[@Mitch_Feral]

I mean, they had to play the Heat in the finals.

[@panther189_]

​@@Mitch_Feralheat were the 1 seed last yr & a shot away from being in the finals lol. They also beat the 2 best teams record wise in the league🤷‍♂️& dont say Giannis was hurt. Dude played in 3 of those Ls

[@Cjust15]

@@deebrown9263 And swept the lakers before playing them 😂😂

[@panther189_]

​@@deebrown9263nah the raptors did.

[@Fatima-ui1eb]

Can ya'll please let Jokic continue to grow and get better before we start these "best ever" debates geesh?!

[@damonwashington9743]

Fatima exactly I mean c'mon he just won his first championship

[@davidberger8420]

Dude already has 2 mvps, 1 ring and a finals mvp. He's already with the greats when it comes to accolades. The man led the playoffs in assists, points and rebounds. The first to do that in history.

[@TreyJaySoSway]

Jokic will be a Top 5 Center forsure when it’s all said and done. Has a very good chance of being in the Top 3

[@malachithegreat3889]

@@davidberger8420 Best of THIS era maybe, like Lebron. But EVER? (in my Dre 3000 voice: Ever-ever-ever -ever???) naaaaah. This is a three pointing shooting soft defense era. Picture Duncan, Shaq, Dream, Kareem checking Joker in the 90s. I agree they need to stop. Joker doesnt play defense.

[@chrismundanchery4357]

@@malachithegreat3889 ah yes the typical "they're playing in a soft era now so we should undervalue what they've down". Absolute garbage take.

[@jeffreywright6122]

Everybody keeps forgetting about Hakeem Olajuwon I feel that he is the most skilled big man that ever played

[@brockb4452]

I know. imagine how unstoppable Olajuwon would be if he had a deadly 3-point shot and could pass like magic J too? That would be insane. Oh wait. That’s jokic. And that’s why jokic is better.

[@joshuatreadwell5619]

@@brockb4452 except olajuwon was a defensive monster, jokic can't guard a parked car.

[@JayJay-xy5ch]

​@@joshuatreadwell5619jokic is better

[@Wop06]

@@brockb4452man shutup, it took joker 4 years to average 20 ppg. Hakeem was nba ready and dominant the minute he stepped on the court and was great for 7+ years, not just 3….jokic does this about 6 more years, then we can talk. But if it only takes 3 years of dominant play to be the best ____. in nba history, well then any nba star is the best_____ to ever play their position.

[@brockb4452]

@@Wop06 your logic is flawed. If I ran faster than usaine bolt right now, would you tell me that I need to do it a few more years before you declare me the fastest man in the world? No.

[@stanleyrobinson8712]

let's be Real in today's NBA Jokic is an All time great, because he's playing the way a Big suppose to play, the nba has allowed small ball to destroy the game, and now teams have to have a legitimate big man to even compete with Jokic and the Nuggets

[@smooth4life554]

This what I been saying yo!

[@fitz3691]

totally agree, there hasn't been a big man dominating the league since Shaq so its nice to see the Bigs come back to the NBA

[@boogerlane9774]

Technically he’s not playing how a big man suppose to play but I digress.

[@djm6863]

Yea but he’s definitely one of those “great” players that doesn’t translate. He’s dominating in a league with no centers. Joker been in the league for years. When Demarcus cousins AD and even Dwight Howard was better joker wasn’t even heard of

[@matthewrutters6842]

@Dj m Jokic was a second round pick. It took awhile before he even felt comfortable taking most of the shots for his team. He was always hyper efficient though.

[@ademleadbetter5115]

Mad Dogg calling Stephen A a "good little host" was too funny 😂

[@israelcm7246]

😂😂😂😂 yes it was funny

[@yeahprep1880]

😂

[@DWilliam1]

The game has changed tremendously from when Wilt played to Kareem to Olajuwon to Duncan, Shaq to Jokic. The skill set needed to be great has changed and all of this has to be taken into account. The greatest athletic center and dominant big man I ever saw was Wilt Chamberlain…hands down.

[@NyQuilDonut]

Care to substantiate that with anything?

[@laz0rama]

agreed! and to me the most skilled all around center i ever saw was hakeem the dream. but even wilt was more skilled than shaq, he didn't simply bully-ball his way to all his points, more than half his shots were that fadeaway bank shot or 5-8 foot finger roll. he knew his strength and physicality were beyond anyone else's, and he didn't use that to bully his opponents.

[@johnsosa7727]

@@laz0rama Kareem better than Hakeem

[@annanaa]

y'all watched full games of Wilt playing?

[@tru_king24]

@@johnsosa7727 kareem only got one ring being the best player on his team an got one move hakeem got multiple moves an 2 rings being the best player on hos team ill take hakeem

[@onidtubes]

Jokic changes the way how a center can dominate the game. I think that is where JJ is going.

[@ricardolozano5356]

by playing against Rudy gobert

[@onidtubes]

@@ricardolozano5356 He can't control who they put on him can he? AD? Rui? Lebron? Bam? Love? Didn't matter!

[@petd3321]

For what it’s worth, having guys that can properly give it back to SAS, even if they are not always correct, is great to see. JJ provides the most sound logic in his arguments of the 3.

[@roibalbarino9928]

i love jj every face expression reaction on every statement

[@liamg2271]

Jokic and Olajuwon are by far the two most skilled centers of all-time. Now if you're asking who is the best it's an entirely different question and Nikola will be playing at a very high level for at least another 7 years. I put Hakeem in the same sentence with Jokic not because he was as skilled offensively. Jokic clearly is a significantly better passer and can score from every area on the floor. Defensively however Olajuwon was an absolute beast and could essentially guard all 5 positions. His ability to block shots and steal the ball were extraordinary as well.

[@shawnchia3611]

The cool thing about Jokic is that he can do Everything and I mean Everything 😂 like when dude is shooting a 3, u expect it to go in more often than not and he has such a soft touch that everything he lob into the rim just seems to go in with a bounce here and there. That’s just crazy😂

[@liamg2271]

@Shawn Chia He's also a much better athlete than he gets credit for. Being a great athlete isn't just about speed and quickness and Jokic has a very quick first step off the bounce anyway. What makes him so special are his hands, eye-hand coordination, and touch. Not to mention he's as fundamentally sound as you'll ever see, tremendous footwork. When was the last time you saw Jokic not catch the ball on a bad pass or at an awkward angle on a rebound? He never drops the rock. The greatness of any player imo has to do with his weaknesses. Jordan didn't have any and Mr.Jokic doesn't have any on the offense end. It's very rare when he doesn't make the right basketball play and that's a vitally important attribute and talent. Right now he stands totally alone in this category and he deserves incredibly high praise.

[@ricardolozano5356]

Hakeem played against better centers

[@ziginaigra]

@@ricardolozano5356 way better lol

[@ziginaigra]

@@liamg2271 yes but all this dosent mean that hakeem,wilt or shaq wouldnt kill him 1 on1😂

[@markjackson6431]

1: Wilt Chamberlain 2: Kareem Abdul Jabbar 3: Bill Russell 4: Hakeem Olujwon 5: Shaquille O’Neil 6: Moses Malone 7: Nikola Jokic 8: David Robinson 9: George Mikan 10: Patrick Ewing

[@rodneystevenson4057]

That looks accurate

[@poocrayon4588]

@@rodneystevenson4057 Mikan is unrankable - what he did puts him top 5 but his era is so different that people cant do it. But at the same time he wasnt far removed time wise from Russel and likely would have dominated the 60's as well had he been in his prime

[@smooth4life554]

Bro this a good list but my number one would be Kareem just because of more Championships and mvps

[@Mitch_Feral]

How you put Wilt over Kareem, and then Jokic over Robinson, man, I do not know. Pick a lane.

[@p.r.i.e.s.t5883]

Wilt at 1 is Brazy

[@jay4cee]

Most skilled has got to be Hakeem. He has post up, footwork, ball handling, defense, and what not gets enough mention is he was awesome at mid range.

[@portlandgoose4727]

Jokic has all of that + being one of the most skilled passers of all time. Most apg Hakeem ever reached in a season was 3.6, so no. Hakeem also wasn’t a 3 point threat, and also shot like 10% worse than Jokic at the free throw line

[@jordo2604]

@@portlandgoose4727 Hakeem was much better on the defensive side though. I don’t think he’s better. But the defense isn’t close. Their offensive games are closer than their defensive. But Jokic still clears.

[@oldenyz3148]

Yes, Hakeem was a much better defensive player, and the 3 point game wasn't nearly as relevant.

[@jay4cee]

@@oldenyz3148 exactly the 80's and 90s was about post play. i dont think there was a better post up player than Hakeem.

[@NicolasAlcalde]

Wilt had all of that while being a far better scorer, passer, rebounder and defender. He was averaging 3 to 4 times as many blocks while averaging twice as many points, twice as many rebounds and twice as many assists.

[@juannegrete971]

Thank you JJ for bodying, sonning and letting SAS have it again. Beautiful, just beautiful to see and hear😂!

[@linnstr8609]

JJ had Stephen A stuttering at the end bringing up the combined defensive awards of Jokic's opponents lol But I always enjoy it when Stephen A, JJ and Mad Dog are together. Stephen A is always gonna defend 90s era, JJ the modern era, and Mad Dog anything 80s and past 🤣

[@ziginaigra]

thing is u cant rly play real defense with this rules

[@tiffanimorris7127]

​@@ziginaigraadds za

[@Gty576]

Cause what are we talking about Rudy Gobert and glass bones Davis for like jokic had some crazy gauntlet to go thru lol

[@purplepill2024]

@@ziginaigra, then explain how the Nuggets held Miami to less than 100 points in 4/5 games. It wasn't until around 2001 that the NBA finally allowed zone defense - so don't tell me that defenders had it easier back in the 90s.

[@ziginaigra]

@@purplepill2024 i meant on hand checking mostly+how they held them under 100 maybe bad fg%?

[@winningishalfthebattle154]

How does this conversation ever begins to take place without the name Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon? He's easily the most skilled big man ever. He is one of only four players in NBA History to every record a quadruple double, and missed out on doing it twice by a single assist.

[@GAjjl]

He’s easily one of the top 5 skilled centers of all time but not the most. Hakeem did not lead the fast break, shoot 3s, or control a game simply by his ability to pass the ball. Jokic does all those things.

[@OMG-si3wn]

​@@GAjjlthat cuz of how the game was played back then if he played nowadays he would be doing that shi

[@HarshManohar]

​@@OMG-si3wnI mean woulda coulda shouda. Steph didn't wait for the game to change. He changed the game. So did Jordan and Dr J.

[@CommonGround99205]

The fact that Hakeem, Shaq, David Robinson, Ewing, and others careers overlapped each other makes what's happening now a little overrated given the lack of elite bigs in the league. Ewing and Olajuwon's career's overlapped Moses Malone, Kareem, Sabonis, and Rober Parish. Shaq overlapped Alonzo Mourning, Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson, Sabonis, Yao Ming, Mutombo, and others. He doesn't have the elite competition, he's basically a man amongst boys. If he had the competition, he'd still get his but his numbers would not be as inflated. It's simply a lack of big man talent in this era and he's taking advantage over it much like Wilt, Bill Russell, and George Mikan did in their eras. Competition at your position should matter somewhat. Even just having bigs that can battle with him, put a body on him like Rick Smits, Antoine Carr, Kevin Willis, and others. The outcome is different. No doubt he still gets his but the overall impact he has on the game changes because of the competition, it is what it is. Giannis is a PF playing Center, AD, the same, and many others today. Having 7fters 240lbs and up battling against him night in and night out would make it much different.

[@CommonGround99205]

@@GAjjl His numbers but I have to discount his competition, its the same reason many discount Russell. He's basically like WIlt playing against many who can't challenge him size wise. Even Shaq, as big and powerful as he was, had Centers his size and bigger playing against him far more frequently than Jokic and Embid experience today.

[@terigiese1322]

If I ever wanted a team to win?It definitely was watching those Nuggets this post season!What a gift to watch this team.The camaraderie and sportsmanship is admirable.The skill of Joker blows my mind due to his effortless appearing style.Congratulations to those Nuggets!👏🏻👏🏻🏆

[@justinhumphrey2567]

BROWNS MEXICANS NATIVE AMERICANS 12 tribes of Israel we are God chosen people the true Hebrew Israelites of the earth

[@emailitzs641]

Either option is better than Better than lebrick and curry two geriatrics who get D rides 24/7

[@gerardoarambula8613]

@@jackh6106 Me!! I don't care if he ever wins

[@iwishiwasthomasshelby]

I’m glad they brought up Shaq. The NBA has gotten rid of physicality. Players like Jokic got rag dolled by Shaq. There were three guys that look like jokic on every team, just to give shaq at least 18 fouls.

[@flexalexander4873]

😂😂

[@kentonthompson4325]

*NEVER more skilled than Hakeem... The Dream just had a different role*

[@keithjoseph128]

No big man did and it's really not even close.

[@HR-ms6ed]

Hakeem couldn’t run the fast break but I mostly agree with u

[@moneymanhussein8445]

@@HR-ms6edyes he could before he made 30, when in his 20s he was running, most ppl seen hakeem in the mid 90s when he was older

[@kentonthompson4325]

@@HR-ms6ed *So sad that people have normalized seven footers trying to run the point... I had to eat my humble pie and give The Joker his propers but Hakeem would have made him look like all other opponents and the rest of the team would have slowed down the others... I just have to accept that the truth is often absent from writing history*

[@shynebayarea510]

The dream wasn't passing & dribbling like the joker. Better all around player

[@briansounalath]

Who knew Reddick was this smart? It’s like his been commentating his entire life. Great point about building slow and doing the rare thing of keeping a coach through more then a couple seasons even through the hard times.

[@thomasterry1131]

Calm down everybody!!!When Giannis won a title,they said the same thing.If Murray stays healthy then we can talk.

[@curtbuckmire9194]

Basketball is a team sport. Just talk to KD, Kyrie and Giannis.

[@Milt-g4f]

No they didn't stop lying

[@soooslaaal8204]

Giannis is already an all time great dude, 2 MVPs, DPOY, FMVP and a championship as the best player on a team counts as a HOF resume. Same with Jokic

[@gilbertjohnson3622]

@@Milt-g4fthey were saying he could be a top 5 player or be the goat, what are you talking about?

[@whoishim2998]

@@soooslaaal8204 his averages are good to

[@KDuff-2015]

I love that Joker won & we have NEVER seen anything like him, but let’s give him time before we say that he the best big of all-time NOT SAYING he won’t be but let’s give ‘em time.

[@heathergasol569]

Congratulations to the Denver Nuggets!! World Champions!! 🏆 Well-Done!!👏👏👏👏👏

[@ceebee8042]

Nuggets are refreshing. No trash or Draymond effect. All classy. Thank you

[@natutz]

I’m the biggest Jokic fan. There’s no way he is a top 5 big man of all time! Kareem, Wilt, Russell, Shaq, Hakeem to name a few!

[@Mixer2904]

You are not a Jokic fan

[@nugglife3035]

You sound like Jokers 5th biggest hater.

[@poocrayon4588]

He wont reach Kareem, Wilt, Russel or Shaq - but if he wins another MVP and championship it's fair to say he's above Hakeem. Also Moses Malone is the other one in the convo

[@malachithegreat3889]

Bro! Thank you. Are they drunk?

[@marcus8030]

Exactly bro I hate when they do these thing to my favorite players

[@kjhunt218]

Madddd Dogggg is hilarious!!!!! That ending was GOLD

[@chimaebinama3192]

This team winning and building through the draft is a second example of this. The Bucks did the same thing. They build through the draft with Giannis and Middleton, and some role players, and then added the missing pieces. This seems pretty similar to that.

[@Whyypreeeeeeeeee]

Middleton was drafted by the Pistons, after the year, he was then sent to their G league team. Milwaukee picked him up a year later.

[@chimaebinama3192]

@@Whyypreeeeeeeeee oh true. So this is different. I guess the only similarity is they allowed their team to build chemistry after various playoff runs.

[@TeguhNugrahaPratama]

You not gonna mention GSW? and Spurs before that? Despite Tim was already the biggest talent of his class draft.

[@joeldrummer23]

Last three champs built within which is awesome

[@chimaebinama3192]

@@joeldrummer23 true, how could I forget that the Warrriors been done this, haha.

[@barberloc]

Soooo we just gonna forget how skilled Hakeem was offensively AND defensively

[@ericsmith5150]

We in 2023 dude alot ppl most likely forgot 😂🤷🏽‍♂️

[@shawnmichaelsbellybuttonri9871]

I love Hakeem and he's one of my favorite players of all time and his post game and defensive skills were both out of this world...but his shooting and passing weren't in the same stratosphere as Jokic. Hakeem is a career 20% from 3 and 2.5 assists per game. The ability to shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor trumps any other skill, and then you add the ability to pass the ball and run an offense like Magic Johnson or Chris Paul? I'm not saying Jokic is definitively more skilled than Hakeem (unless we're talking purely offense, then it's not even close), but Jokic is definitely up there.

[@jIvEztImE]

Hakeem had the most games ever with at least 5 in every catergory. He might not shoot as well from distance but he did it all!

[@daddygates8290]

Thank you!!@

[@bombhippiejones]

Right they are on here buggin lol

[@angelcanez4426]

Hakeem Olajuwon did have that amazing 93-94 MVP season where he led his team in everything. And he had no other All-Stars on his team. It was his I'll do everything myself season.

[@Flyhr]

Hakeem Olajuwon is still my pick for the greatest skilled Center of all time. He may be less effective as Jokic in terms of pure offense but defense is also a skill and Hakeem is one of the greatest at that too. Defense + Offense combined Hakeem is the most skilled no question.

[@portlandgoose4727]

Kind of like Jokic this season

[@angelcanez4426]

@@portlandgoose4727 minus the defensive MVP

[@marvinfrancisco4812]

Never let perk talk in your show, he slandered Jokic and must apologize

[@hottakes2633]

I think Kareem-Wilt-Russell-Hakeem-Shaq-Moses are probably still above. But he’ll be top 5 when it’s all said and done.

[@RobbieStacks90]

Those guys aren't above him. He does more than any of them. Shaq was always overrated. I can't remember how many times the refs allowed him to get away with offensive fouls or dirty play. His entire game was five feet from the basket. He's not even in the discussion.

[@GrandTerr]

​@@RobbieStacks90 jokic is not in top 20 players of all time. Relax dummy, you probably some European being nationalistic. Or at least there are many of them

[@Cloudcity20]

​@@RobbieStacks90 basketball ain't ur sport bruh,stop it

[@ImranAli-hv3fu]

@@RobbieStacks90 worst take in basketball history well done 👏🏽 👏🏽 come back when 🃏 got 4 chips and 3 finals mvps..

[@BlessedOne686]

Yh, I was like why he ain’t mentioned Shaq above him.

[@aramsarkisyan8061]

I love that JJ brough that up: to be dominant doesn't necessarily mean to be dominant through physicality - you can be dominant through skills. Not even talking about passing or playmaking. Even in pure post-up game you can be dominant through skills and IQ. And it's clearly seen if you look at efficiency under the rim.

[@TurboAuss]

this is a great point. the value of timely reads and instincts are often get overshadowed by physicality. you see it especially so on defense with guys that were never the best athletes but still become completely disruptive.

[@TurboAuss]

this is also why jokic is one of the most difficult puzzles in the entire nba to solve. if he’s lights out hot on the floor he can already see a defenders eyes moving off the shooter to pinch him and it’s a wrap, easy 3.

[@anthonycelestin3559]

But Jokic is a very physical player, he just doesn’t dunk the ball often. But all his shots are in the paint & restricted area

[@jasonlighton9636]

Jokic averaged 30/14/7 in his first NBA finals. Shaq in his first finals in year 3 averaged 28/13/6. His first championship Shaq averaged 38/17/2. Kareem's first championship, 27/19/3. Hakeem's two championship finals he averaged a combined 30/10/5 going against Ewing and then Shaq. Let's pump the brakes on Best Big Man in NBA history talk.

[@Milt-g4f]

Exactly

[@moneymanhussein8445]

Lmao these mfs are crazy

[@travisblair3189]

All of those numbers sounds similar.

[@lukacalov1988]

Man avged almost triple double during the playoffs and broke like 5 records

[@zemljajeravna5336]

Jokic had best PER in history of the NBA in a single post season, let that sink in.

[@gjslaughter]

JJ has a great basketball mind. I enjoy watching his podcast and after watching, I feel like a more informed basketball fan.

[@garyarnold5699]

No respect for him after his comments on Bob Cousy and that era of the NBA.

[@imark_b]

"You're a good little host" 😂😂😂😂

[@alex4863]

As a die hard hoop fan, he’s definitely top Alpha center in modern history basketball, in total history he’s definitely top ten, if he can get one more chip I believe he’ll be in the top 5 due to his unique skills and bending center physics (dribbling and IQ as a point center). I’m so happy that Denver has put that “scrub franchise” in the trash, Nuggets did something legendary mad respect and love from coach Malone to the last man on the bench. This team set the perfect standard on how to win a championship. 💯

[@futuretimetraveller8677]

how does he become a better player if his team wins more championships? either he's a top 5 center or not

[@joshuaanderson7690]

Not sure if he’s the best but he’s definitely one of the best . He can back play with his back to the basket , facing the basket , but what really makes him great is his ability to facilitate the basket ball at the top of the key, a lot of bigs throughout history as well as modern bigs can’t do that

[@jessekittrell2946]

Being drafted by Demver where he has to play & train at that atmosphere was the best thing possible for Jokic. U see his conditioning is so much better because of it...... hes sprinting past AD/Towns/Ayton/etc in the 4th quarters pushing the ball. They are all gasping for air bent over & he's sprinting lol. If i were Giannis/Embiid/etc id go train there.

[@joshuaanderson7690]

@@jessekittrell2946 That is true , Miami was also a bad match up for Denver to , they didn’t have a big that could D up Joker , it’s only a few teams who have a big that could D him up …

[@primebee00]

​@@joshuaanderson7690 Lakers does but they got swept so what are u saying?

[@dumbassdude8372]

the only reason he's defense is underrated is because he doesnt put up highlight blocks. Sure his defense is not all time but the offense that he has covers all that up. He can basically do anything, he doesnt need to shoot 30 times to put up his statline. He is the perfect counter to teams going small ball

[@joshuaanderson7690]

@@primebee00 the lakers did have a big on Jokers level….. You only got about 5 guys in the league who can really d him up one on one , Giannius EMID Rudy Goldbert Bam Adbigo

[@ogbean82]

As a 32 year basketball fan this question is ridiculous. He's got a long way to go.

[@rb9888]

we are talking about skills

[@Dazzer-gx3yl]

Not right now, but has a great chance when all is said and done. He is the defacto best player on his team and would only win a title based on his excellent play, unlike bigs such as Kareem and Shaq that had another elite talent that could easily win MVP.

[@_zachmcall]

jamal murray averaged 26/7/5 on 47/39/92 splits, better than any of kareem or shaqs teammates in 71 or 2000. people really love rewriting history 🙄

[@michaelgilbert6473]

@@_zachmcall hold up so you’re saying Jamal Murray > Kobe right????? Lmaaaooo

[@kevinmoten6566]

He is no one man gang. Couldn't have won it without Murray

[@kevinobida8473]

​@@michaelgilbert6473Thank you😂😂😂

[@_zachmcall]

@@michaelgilbert6473 do you know what a straw man is? i’m saying jamal murray outperformed every single teammate of kareem or shaqs in those respective runs. all 3 carried a team to the finals and were the only choice for mvp, but to act like jokic had less help is disingenuous. sorry if that bothers you

[@marcindebski6166]

Go JJ! Dominance vs esthetics! I appreciate your intelligence when it comes to comparing Shaq vs Jokic.

[@denver15]

YES! I'd also add- Physicality over brains is just Ying & yang. Go for the jugular JJ.

[@ziginaigra]

imagine jokic guarding prime shaq lol bbq

[@marcindebski6166]

@@ziginaigra They’re both as dominant on offense, just in different ways but I can’t imagine Jokic or anyone else guarding that monster. I truly believe that Shaq would make people look stupid today at 51.

[@albertol9654]

Top 3 Centers of all time.. 1. Hakeem The Dream 2. Shaq Diesel 3. Wilt The big dipper Chamberlain.

[@FuShengAlex]

Kareem?

[@jms1263]

I am very into the bizarre magic of these three being together.

[@corymiller5587]

Jokic, being the size he is with that Serbian strength, would have also dominated in a more physical league. But of course he doesn’t play that way because he would foul out every game. He’s already in foul trouble most of the time. You cannot tell me he wouldn’t bully everyone in the league if he was allowed to literally throw people out of his way.

[@HEMSteeel86]

FYI… when Hakeem Olajuwon retired, he was top 10 in 5 categories… steals (only center in that category), rebounds, blocks, scoring, and shooting percentage. His midrange shot was pure, and his post game was elite with elite footwork & a great touch around the rim. So nah… I won’t call Jokic the most skilled. I’d rank him #2 to Hakeem in that category tho.

[@SShaBazzz]

Exactly. This should prove that Boston shouldn't be panicking. Keep building the team around Tatum and Brown.

[@BoxCarBoy12]

Nah, the Nuggets formula only works if you build with players that complement each other perfectly. I don't believe that Tatum and Brown are that, they are both iso heavy offensive players without playmaking skills that don't make each other better. Trade Brown for complementary pieces around Tatum

[@SShaBazzz]

@Soundtallica in Chains heck no. Dude, they have been to the conference finals the last 4 years. How does that not work?

[@richardsong7732]

even though im a lakers fan, I’m so impressed with the nuggets unit and so happy for them winning. happy for bball fans everywhere that a club that plays so well as a team won the chip. congrats 🎉 you guys deserved it. jokic is the real deal

[@brainhappy]

JJ is the only person with backbone, integrity and courage to consider the facts and speak up

[@king_rich0088]

In terms of accomplishments he still needs a bit more. But in terms of talent and skills he absolutely is. He's definitely the best center sense Shaq. Please let me know if I missed a center after shaq

[@eightycapone1923]

Stop it

[@ronb8965]

1.Kareem abdul jabbar 2. Bill Russell.

[@davidmason3671]

2x MVP 1x FMVP 1x champion 4x all star 3x all nba

[@jasonlighton9636]

Admiral, Dream, Wilt, Kareem we are going to pretend like these guys weren't at least as skilled as Jokic??

[@emailitzs641]

Shaq more athletic joker more inventory of moves only diff and joker can shoot

[@outofnaija]

One title is not enough to elevate Jokic to the best big man in history level.....but he is coming. His skills are unique and he is built for winning in the modern game. That said, I think Akeem will school him offensively.

[@cmn225]

Keem would clamp Jokic too people act like he wasn't a 2x DPOY

[@natashatomlinson4548]

When Akeem can drill a 25 footer come talk to me …

[@outofnaija]

@@cmn225 I agree Akeem would present Jokic with problems, but I think that would be more true in the 1980s and 1990s. The style of play today will make it tougher for Hakeem to clamp Jokic...and Jokic is actually very skilled offensively. However, I think Hakeem's speed and offensive moves will be too much for Jokic to handle. Think of an Embid that can move like Kobe...That was Hakeem. It would have been a great match up but we will never know exactly how it will play out.

[@outofnaija]

@@natashatomlinson4548 Jokic presents many problems with the way the game is played today so I agree that it is naive to think Hakeem would be able to stop him. But I think Hakeem would present more problems (offensively and defensively) than any player Jokic has faced. If they were playing each other in the 1980s or 90s, I think Hakeem schools him all day.

[@cmn225]

@@outofnaija Jokic is too slow & floor bound to give Keem problems on either end of the floor only things he does better is pass and shoot the 3 ball and it's not like he's a high volume 3pt shooter

[@playloveshare]

Respect to SAS for making this show allowing people to call him out. Respect

[@Bvpski333]

I look at the “competition Jokic has gone against” Jokic beat Lebron KD Booker AD and jimmy butler

[@rcruz-zu4sm]

Yeah he did it all by himself

[@jaimeosorio7099]

@@rcruz-zu4sm if you wanna say that then Shaq didn’t win any championships by himself either. As a matter of fact he won with Kobe and Wade (2 of the top 5, arguably 3, SG ever)

[@NoSpinster0909]

An old Lebron,KD and Booker only being together for less than 10 games without any depth and Miami with a team full of undrafted players led by Jimmy Butler

[@justusbowman]

Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq all won a ring or several with the Lakers. Kareem also had Magic, and Shaq had Kobe. Jokic has which player from the top 5, 10, or 15 all time? How many times have the Nuggets won a championship? For me, things like that matter. There's no comparison in resume, sure, but watch out for Jokic. If he can stay uninjured for a few years, he'll climb the ladder a bit.

[@justusbowman]

@Merican Modi 1972

[@bmla88]

Murray is a very good player. If he can stay healthy and is a key player on a multiple championship team why can’t his all time stock rise?

[@YounginBallin]

Jokic hasn’t played against good centers in this era Only Gobert and Embiid

[@moneymanhussein8445]

Kobe was 21-23 in those finals runs he wasnt his prime yet

[@Christian-kc5ij]

Absolutely

[@Ndanewssss]

When jokic said he grew up watching magic, Jordan, and Hakeem it shows dude is a beast

[@nothembajozi2862]

Anyone seen Kendrick Perkins? The scariest thing is Joker isn't done. He didn't do the victory lap others do upon lifting the trophy. 2023-2024 loading after the horse races.

[@xaviermoyssenalvarez4419]

wdym making babies every year 😭

[@poocrayon4588]

Thats just cos he's not American so he doesnt do goofy celebrations like a clown

[@nothembajozi2862]

@@xaviermoyssenalvarez4419 He's having a child every year. Fatherhood for him trumps basketball and that's okay.

[@Detroit7Mile]

Y’all be killin me, Jokic wins one ring and all of a sudden he’s considered the best big man in history 😂😂 Then y’all say he’s the best passer in history. So he’s more dominant than Shaq and can pass better than Magic I think not!

[@diegoochoa3550]

That wasn't the actual question, the title is just clickbait-y, most skilled is very different from best. I don't think I've seen a single serious person say that Jokic is the best big man of all time.

[@Jukeboxster]

it's ridiculous. I have never seen so many people try to crown a player as the GOAT of their position after their first title.

[@TreyJaySoSway]

@@Jukeboxster he set records this entire post season. He had games that Wilt Chamberlain never even had. He also led the entire Playoffs in Points, Rebounds, and Assists. Don’t try to diminish Jokics greatness

[@JesseWhiteman117]

The media is trying to scale him down because he went beyond expectations.

[@nugglife3035]

He's the best player to ever touch a basketball. You just mad because he's white and Serbian.😂

[@jamesgibson538]

I love the background pics of the Joker with his son. What a picture of real joy! An important detail lost from this year's playoffs; the shot of the entire playoffs was the catch-and-shoot of Jimmy Butler to tie the Milwaukee Bucks with .2 seconds left. Without that shot, there's no Heat-Celtics or Heat-Nuggets.

[@fussysaur]

He's not the best of all time yet, but it's just funny how incredible this Nuggets run and especially Jokic run has been if u hear a guy go from debates over the best center in the league with Embiid to far clear of Embiid and into conversations of the best big man of all time in a span of 20 games. Finally the record has been set straight on Jokic

[@MrFishing4u]

Jokic gets rebounds against 6-9 6-10 dudes not seven plus. How bruised would Jokic be with a constant Shaq shoulder. How demoralized would he be with Kareen averaging 45. Jokic is skilled against smaller dudes. Jokic can't be nearly as affective against any big man from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s.

[@mpetkovic26]

Shaq would cry when Jokic pulls him to 30pt line, Shaq can thank god he doesnt play in this era where he needs to guard at 3pt line.

[@shaggymofo7716]

You boomer are dumb, every generation players improve dramatically. Stop living in under the rock, thinking that older player will dominate Jokic. Every year players find new ways to get better and keep their body right with the right diet and supplement to boost their level.

[@MrFishing4u]

@@mpetkovic26 Jokic plays against little dudes and you call him tough. Playing against Shaq would bring tears to his eyes. Shaq wouldn't need to come to the 3pt line. Power forward would do that. Shaq would still punish Jokic inside. Kareem, Hakeem, Wilt, and Bill would block Jokic's shot on a regular basis. Not only that Hakeem and Bill would block the angle to his passes. As far as first, first, first in pts, reb, and assists - Jokic played more games. Only someone who knows nothing of basketball history would have your opinion.

[@MrFishing4u]

@@mpetkovic26 Let me put it in terms you can understand...Jokic is to Shaq and Wilt, what Markieff Morris is to Jokic. A frekin push over...Light weight

[@ziginaigra]

@@mpetkovic26 u are crazy shaq would avg 50 vs jokic 😂

[@kerhin]

The disrespect for Hakeem Olajuwon must stop! Hakeem would run circles around Jokic. These analysts never put things in proper context when having these discussions about players from different era. Olajuwon would probably average 40-50 points a game in this soft era. He would have been too quick and too strong for Jokic on the low block. Hakeem was big man who could move his feet offensively and defensively allowing him to score from any position and defend all five different positions. It amazing how they continue to underrate him as a player despite his domination of the greatest era of big men in NBA history. In 1995, he defeated Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, and Shaquille O’Neal to win the NBA Final. And he also defeated Patrick Ewing the year prior to win his first NBA Championship in 1994. And he defeated them all without another All Star on his team. I wonder if he was an American instead of a Nigerian would he still be viewed the same. Just food for thought.

[@Optimistichumanist]

It’s so hard to compare old greats to modern greats. They have is undeniably bigger, faster and stronger. I think what joker does is almost being most players. He’s racking up stats that not only put him on top but give career highs to his teammates as well. He literally elevated all around him. If he’s not the greatest he’s going to be in the company of the best without a doubt. Let’s hope to see the entire team healthy next season and see what they can prove yet again.

[@MultilinguistGlobalFitBlessed]

“They have is?”… WHAT THE F are you trying to say? INCOHERENT. Also, you think what Joker (CAPS, dude) does “is almost being most players”?! AGAIN, incoherent. Proofread! Learn proper English!

[@jessekittrell2946]

All those triple doubles & still there's only ONE player to do it in the Finals ..... & against an All time great team with 4 HOFers including a DPOY in his prime. Jokics amazing but he won't pass Lebron or MJ. Even with his height advantage. Lebron & MJ affected things in defense WAYYYYY more.... esp in their primes. Mj won DPOY & Lebron finished 2nd multiple times. It's what holds Magic back (although his short career also does). He was great at 3 things like Jokic is..... but he wasn't an elite top top defender. And magics my favorite all time great. Penny is my favorite player.

[@jonathansykes4986]

They are not that much bigger or stronger. Faster? Maybe. Better skill set definitely.

[@darwinmiclis2342]

@@jessekittrell2946bro no one is comparing him to the number one and number two of All TIME

[@ziginaigra]

what modern center is bigger, faster and stronger than shaq wilt or robinson

[@cyber6sapien]

This is what the game should be all about. Guys who stick with their teams through tough times and eventually go to the Finals and/or win it all. Hopefully the league can get back to its roots after a certain person finally retires.

[@BoxCarBoy12]

People say "appreciate the GOAT while he's still playing" and "the league won't be the same when he retires" and I say BS, he can't retire fast enough!

[@carljones6148]

Just sounds like 2 haters to me. Didn’t know Lebron started the changing teams. Sorry that a scary man took control of his own career and chose where we wanted to play rather than being stuck with a org that couldn’t build around him

[@JohnSmith-nm4zd]

Jokic is a top 10 center all-time

[@mitchellschwartz2148]

Wilt chamberlain. Nuff said. The NBA record books do not lie.

[@Lakers0olll]

The only problem with Shaq was he had a huge weakness and that was Free throws! Teams today would definitely exploit that.

[@joshuapeoples6795]

He's still dropping 50 on Jokic in his prime...

[@rodneystevenson4057]

Teams back then did too. We had a phrase called "hack a Shaq" that was the standard for teams in my generation 😂

[@mabbzzzblok64]

Shaq would be in a serious problem, due to the fact that the Joker shoots 3s solid, thus moving and wearing him a lot when defending. Ofcours Shaq would be Shaq, dominating on offence, but Joker would avarage 15 assist easy.

[@TheBoyyWonder100]

There isnt any real centers in the game, you got embiid and giannas

[@Mitch_Feral]

Yeah, they sure exploited that, called it 'Hack a Shaq' while he smashed his way to four rings (and 3 finals MVPS), MVP, scoring titles, 15 All-star appearances, countless other honors, and actually managed to make second team all-NBA defense a few years.

[@wayneegli8379]

Nikola Jokić is very good, the best Big in TODAY's NBA. But, when compared to the greats of the past like Wilt, Shaq, Dream, Duncan, Big Mo, Bill Russell, and so on, it's a crowded room with each bringing something special to the game.

[@Inshallahsiuuuu]

None of them could pass like Jokic, plus add the accolades and he deserves a seat at that table no question

[@happyface35]

Hakeem was undoubtedly the best Big ever. Most well rounded. Hakeem shuts down Joker prime vs prime every night!

[@onidtubes]

Jokic won his first title at age 28. Same as MJ. Let that sink in folks.

[@TonySoprano-mm8ip]

What's your point?

[@htkme7612]

MJ won 3 rings back to back.... Twice. Let that sink in.

[@onidtubes]

@@TonySoprano-mm8ip Sky's the limit for him and Denver. They have a young core. Dynasty in the making no doubt.

[@xaviermoyssenalvarez4419]

and LeBron

[@rcruz-zu4sm]

Comparing jokic to Jordan now 🤣

[@solo26sky]

Always a pleasure watching JJ school SAS

[@jonathanpeters5027]

Talk about being prisoners of the moment with this topic.

[@fate4471]

What else that supposed to talk about 😂

[@davidberger8420]

At least their not talking about the Lakers.

[@wujibifan9245]

I think the past 3 years, it shows that if you draft the right players and trust them, you dont pressure them to a point that they need to break the chemistry of the team and add a superstar hoping it would change the dynamics of the team. Yeah you might not get multiple championships but, eventually you will get there, JJ is right coach is a big portion of the success. If ever the celtics didnt fire udoka maybe they are in the finals. I just think that yeah superstars are great in your team but those drafted players and role players that's jusy waiting for big moments helps to win a championship

[@JoeSakich]

How many nationalities in Denver...USA Canada, Serbia, Slovenija Brazil,...this mixes can be crazy

[@garse70]

Most teams don’t have true offensive centers or bigs in todays game. There are a few. Embiid, Giannis, Jokic, AD. So, defensively, they don’t have to deal with the heavy post up game of centers in the past. I think Jokic is awesome and he is perfect for their offense. Most of his game is from the high post or elbow and it is effective because he can pass, but if he had to cover a Shaq, Duncan, Robinson, Olajuwon, Ewing, Moses, Mourning, Kareem, Daugherty, Gasol, Sabonis etc throughout his career, it might be different. He would probably get in more foul trouble and some of those centers could defend his game much better than todays big men. But, he could play with all of them.

[@dylanalbuquerque4854]

I’m way too young to determine that he’s the best center ever, I wasn’t even alive when many of the best centers made their marks, but I can certainly say he’s the best center I’ve seen in my young life (so far)

[@_truthBtold]

I'ma gone head and tell you, Shaq was a MF beast, way more dominant than Jokic. Superior paint protection, agility, strength of 5 Jokics, when he was with Orlando he'd actually bring the ball up court or initiate fast breaks, Shaqs only weakness was FTs tbh and Shaq was playing real grown men. Jokic matchup against Bam c'mon Bam ain't a center

[@Supersupremegang]

@@_truthBtoldShaq would’ve had 40K points easily if he could’ve shot 80% from the charity stripe. He was fouled almost 40 times a game 😅

[@dylanalbuquerque4854]

@@_truthBtold you’re probably right…I wish I could’ve seen him play in his prime, I was around 10 when I got into basketball and by that time he was already a celtic lol

[@jaylenflanagan1295]

@@_truthBtoldHe was way better than Jokic forsuret

[@jonathansykes4986]

@@_truthBtold shaq 99-00 to 01-02 Games 220 Minutes 8509 (38.7) PPG 28.6 Rebounds 12.4 Ast 3.5 steal 0.6 Blocks 2.6 Turnovers per game 2.8 FT% 52.9% 3p% 0% TS% 58.0% PER 30.2 WS/48 0.264 WS 46.8 VORP 22.3 BPM 8.4 OBPM 7.1 DBPM 1.3 jokic 2020-21 to 2022-23 games 215 minutes 7287 ppg 26.0 rebound 12.2 ast 8.7 steal 1.4 block 0.7 turnovers per game 3.5 ft% 83.2% 3p% 36.5% ts% 66.8% PER 31.9 WS/48 0.302 WS 45.8 VORP 27.4 BPM 12.9 OBPM 9.0 DBPM 4.0 Jokic prime > Shaq prime.