Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, nearing his 60th birthday, has had a front-row seat to some of the greatest basketball talent the game has ever seen—both as a player and a coach. But when asked recently who stands out above the rest at the center position, Kerr didn’t go with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, or Bill Russell. Instead, he gave the nod to reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.
Kerr, speaking ahead of Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, didn’t mince words. “He’s the best center I’ve ever seen,” Kerr said, via Vic Lombardi. “I played against Kareem. I’m that old. And Kareem couldn’t do all this stuff. [Jokic is] absolutely one of the smartest players ever.” That’s high praise from a man who’s played with Michael Jordan, coached Stephen Curry, and seen just about every great big manof the modern era.
There has never been a center in NBA history who can do what Jokic does on a nightly basis—at such a high level. The Serbian superstar is currently averaging 29.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game in the 2024–25 season.
He continues to defy positional norms with staggering stat lines. Jokic made NBA history on March 7 by recording the first-ever 30-20-20 game against the Phoenix Suns. Just days later, he dropped a 61-point triple-double on the Minnesota Timberwolves. For a player listed at 6-foot-11 and 284 pounds, his combination of touch, vision, and decision-making is unlike anything the league has seen from a traditional big.
Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center.
Legends left out
Of course, Kerr’s take comes with plenty of room for debate. When someone with his basketball résumé makes a claim like that, it carries weight—but it also raises eyebrows. After all, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has six titles. Bill Russell holds a record 11 championships. Shaquille O’Neal dominated his era with four. Wilt Chamberlain shattered statistical barriers that still stand today.
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So while Kerr is clearly sold on Jokic’s all-around brilliance, there are still questions when it comes to legacy and championship hardware.
What’s next for Jokic?
For Jokic to cement himself in the “greatest center ever” conversation in the eyes of the broader NBA community, he’ll likely need more titles. The six-time All-Star and former Finals MVP is aiming to secure his second championship, but the path won’t be easy.
Despite another MVP-worthy campaign, the Nuggets have flown slightly under the radar. With a 47–30 record, they’re positioned for a playoff run but aren’t viewed as the clear favorites to win it all. If Jokic continues producing historic numbers while leading Denver deep into the postseason, the debate won’t just continue—it’ll get louder.
