Nikola Jokić isn’t just putting up numbers, he’s busy cementing his place among the all-time greats in the NBA. The Denver Nuggets superstar is stacking a legacy that demands recognition. His mix of scoring, passing, and dominance has made him a unicorn in NBA history, and even Shaquille O’Neal himself isn’t holding back praise.

By age 29, Jokić’s career statistics rival those of the NBA’s most dominant centers. Joker, unlike traditional centers who dominated with sheer power, has redefined the position with elite passing, high-IQ playmaking, and effortless scoring efficiency. He has established himself as the engine of a Nuggets team that thrives on his brilliance. Recently, he just added another feather to his cap.

@TheHoopCentral shared an image of Nikola Jokic and Shaquille O’Neal side-by-side on X,. They captioned the post, “ Nikola Jokic is the fifth youngest center in NBA history to reach 16K career points and the fastest center to reach 16K since Shaq, per @StatMamba Jokic is a Top 5 Center of all time. 🗣️🔥” sharing an incredible statistic, which makes him eligible as a candidate to have his face etched on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest centers of all-time. Very well-deserved, indeed.

On his podcast, The Big Podcast With Shaq, Shaquille O’Neal was asked about a hot take regarding Nikola Jokić’s place in NBA history. He responded, “Probably go with the Joker one. Joker’s already a top five center of all time.” His co-host then attempted to list the top five centers, saying, “You [Shaq], Kareem, Wilt, Joker, and -” before Shaq added, “Bill Russell. Not a bad list, not a bad list.”

Shaq went on to praise Jokić’s approach to the game, stating, “He’s already a champ… He plays the right way, uh, very unselfish, very humble guy. Family guy… Yeah, he’s ready… He’s already great, and, you know, the things that he’s doing, putting up these triple-doubles, has actually never been seen before. So I, I would definitely put him up there in the top five.”

Nikola Jokić is not merely accumulating impressive statistics; he’s solidifying his legacy among the NBA’s all-time greats. His unselfish style is evident in his record-breaking (3rd all-time) triple-doubles, including his league-leading performance as a center in assists. Off the court, his humility and dedication to family life have been well-documented. From his preference for spending time in Serbia over engaging in media hype to his now-famous love for horse racing.

Though he may have his critics, he has shattered a historic record set by Larry Bird, the legendary big man. Let us see how the game has evolved from the era of Bird to Jokić.

From Bird to Nikola Jokić: The evolution of a new breed of superstar big men

For decades, teams considered the traditional center a dominant force in the paint but rarely an offensive orchestrator.. Then came Nikola Jokić, a player who has completely redefined what a big man can be. By amassing 16,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, and 5,000 assists in just 739 games, Jokić shattered Larry Bird’s record of 799 games. His historic pace exemplifies how today’s game has redefined what a superstar big man can be. And things are only looking up.

Larry Bird, a 6’9” forward, was a playmaking genius in an era where traditional roles dictated team structure. His court vision, elite rebounding, and ability to score from anywhere on the floor made him one of the most versatile players of his time. Yet, in the 1980s, teams still largely categorized big men as interior forces while perimeter players orchestrated the offense.

Nikola Jokić has erased that conception entirely. At 6’11”, he’s essentially a point guard in a center’s body. Running Denver’s offense with no-look dimes, one-legged fadeaways, and an unstoppable post-game.

Jokić’s greatness isn’t just statistical; it translates directly to winning. He is a three-time NBA MVP (2021, 2022, 2024), an NBA champion (2023), and a Finals MVP. In an era where versatility defines superstardom, Jokić stands as the ultimate blueprint for positionless basketball. His ability to run an offense, dominate inside, and manipulate defenses at will makes him one of the most unique players in NBA history. A true hybrid of past legends and the future of the game