Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas, never one to hold back, stirred up controversy with his latest hot take — claiming Nikola Jokic already deserves a spot among the top five centers in NBA history. His bold statement has only added fuel to an already growing debate. Jokic just wrapped up another historic season, marked by jaw-dropping numbers and rare statistical feats.
With a near triple-double average and unmatched consistency, the Denver Nuggets superstar continues to redefine what’s possible at the center position. In a recent appearance on Vlad TV, Arenas revealed that if he were to update his list of the five greatest centers in NBA history, he would remove 11-time champion Bill Russell — and insert Nikola Jokic in his place.
“For Jokic? I’m knocking off Bill Russell,” Arenas said. “Let’s just be honest — he played in the ’60s? Yeah, so there were, what, six, seven Black players in the league at that time.”
Arenas‘ logic centers on context. Russell dominated in his era, no question — his Celtics reigned supreme. But Arenas argues that the level of competition and athleticism in Russell’s time simply doesn’t compare to the modern NBA, where Jokić thrives against elite global talent on a nightly basis.
Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets walks down the floor during the first half of game seven of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder
Jokic is not just a dominant big man — he’s revolutionized the center position. A three-time MVP and two-time runner-up, the Serbian superstar is the engine of the Nuggets’ offense, leading the team in scoring, assists, and rebounds. His court vision and basketball IQ have made him arguably the most complete center the league has ever seen.
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In contrast, Bill Russell’s greatness was anchored in defense, rebounding, and leadership. He was the heartbeat of the most successful dynasty in NBA history, winning 11 titles in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics. His intangibles — effort, intelligence, and team-first mentality — remain the gold standard in basketball circles.
But that’s precisely the dividing line in this debate. Jokić, despite his individual dominance, has just one championship — and he’s playing in an era of parity. The league hasn’t seen a true dynasty in nearly a decade, with seven different champions in the last seven seasons. That makes his path steeper and more competitive than those who ruled previous eras.
Whether or not fans agree with Arenas, one thing is clear: Nikola Jokic has forced his way into the conversation. And if his NBA career continues on its current trajectory, there’s a growing case that he may end up on the Mount Rushmore of centers — if not already.
