Nikola Jokic has a resume that stacks up towards Shaquille O’Neal, though one former participant and NBA champion will nonetheless take the Large Diesel.
After successful his third MVP award in 2024, there’s a very actual case to be made that Nikola Jokic is without doubt one of the finest facilities of all time, becoming a member of the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain.
Nevertheless, regardless of boasting extra MVPs and a worse supporting solid all through his profession, Jokic, to some, is but to go Shaquille O’Neal, who was undeniably probably the most bodily dominant participant ever.
In a current listing printed by CBS Sports activities, Jokic was listed as the perfect heart of the twenty first century, with O’Neal settling for second place. One former participant nonetheless thinks Shaq takes the cake.
Whereas Jokic performs with finesse by no means seen earlier than from the big-man place, some former gamers of an older era relish the bruising drive that Shaq dominated with.
After all, Jokic has averaged extra factors, rebounds, and assists on this quarter-century, though O’Neal can boast 4 titles and three Finals MVPs, which is a compelling argument.
“Shaquille O’Neal, in my view, is without doubt one of the prime two facilities of all time behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,” declared Avery Johnson, snubbing Invoice Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
“Shaquille O’Neal was probably the most bodily dominant heart that I coached towards, performed towards…the physicality, this man was so bodily imposing. It’s nothing towards Nikola Jokic. However I personally would have Shaquille O’Neal on the primary staff.”
Whereas Johnson makes his case, Jokic was joined on the All Quarter-Century First Workforce by LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant.
When arguing over who has been higher within the 2000s, O’Neal’s closing 5 seasons are conveniently forgotten about. On prime of that, Jokic is just 30 years previous and has loads of prime left within the tank.
It’s very lifelike that Jokic might end his profession with a number of rings and upwards of 5 MVP awards, which might simply put him forward of O’Neal, even with the Lakers’ nostalgia giving Shaq a lift.
Along with Jokic nonetheless being in his prime, one can’t overlook the loyalty. Jokic appears destined to play for just one franchise, regardless of the Miami Warmth’s finest efforts. O’Neal suited up for six totally different groups and ended his profession as a real “ring chaser.”
From 1992 to 2006, O’Neal was a drive, however from 2006 to 2011, he was a shell of his former self. Till Jokic hits a gradual decline, it’s unattainable to disregard his case that he’ll–sooner relatively than later–catch as much as Shaq, if he hasn’t already.
