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Is Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic the Best Center Ever? Sixth Man Legend Doesn’t Think So

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated 4/24/24

Without a doubt, Nikola Jokic is one of the most talented players in the NBA right now. But for NBA Sixth Man legend Lou Williams , the Denver Nuggets All-Star big man only falls next to Shaquille O’Neal when it comes to the best centers the league has ever seen.

Jokic’s claim as the best big man in the NBA today was clearly seen in Denver’s 101-99 win over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers recently. In that thrilling Game 2, the two-time MVP posted an insane triple-double of 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. He also shot 56 percent from the field, connected 50 percent of his three-pointers, and made all of his seven free-throw attempts.

The Lakers, on the other hand, had Anthony Davis drop an impressive game as well. The former New Orleans Pelicans All-Star posted 32 points and 11 rebounds in almost 40 minutes on the court. James, for his part, tallied 26 points and 12 assists. Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell redeemed himself from a bad Game 1 performance by adding 23 points and six assists.

The win helped Denver secure the lead over LA as the series shifts back to their home court. Even with the advantage of having the home crowd, Jokic’s skillset is shaping up to be the biggest factor to the Nuggets’ success against the Lakers.

NBA Legend Lou Williams Claims Shaquille O’Neal is Better Center Than Denver Nuggets Star Nikola Jokic

While Jokic is the undisputed best big man in the league right now, three-time Sixth Man of the Year awardee Lou Williams said that another legendary center was better than the Nuggets star. In a video posted by Run It Back on X:

“I still live in a world where Shaquille O’Neal is the best center I’ve ever seen, period.”@TeamLou23 on if Nikola Jokic could be the best center in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/YXKyWNuZRW

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 23, 2024

Over the course of his NBA career, O’Neal averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. In contrast, Jokic is posting 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest this season.

It remains to be seen where Jokic will end up in the pantheon of centers once his career is done. Of course, his case may get stronger if the Nuggets star can eliminate the Lakers and win the championship again this year.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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