Despite building one of the most impressive résumés of his generation, Nikola Jokic is still working to earn a place in the conversation for the greatest center in NBA history.
The Denver Nuggets superstar has already won three regular-season MVP awards in 2021, 2022 and 2024 and led Denver to its first NBA championship.
His unique combination of scoring, rebounding and playmaking has redefined what teams expect from the center position. Yet when the debate turns to the greatest centers of all time, Jokic‘s name is often mentioned as a future candidate rather than a current member of the elite group.
Players that built their greatness based on consistency
That distinction still belongs to legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon. Each of those players built their reputations through sustained dominance across long careers that included multiple championships, Finals MVP performances and statistical production that defined entire eras.
Jokic has already reached rare territory with three MVP trophies, but the history of the league suggests that longevity and postseason success ultimately shape the “greatest ever” debate. More championships, more deep playoff runs and continued production over time will likely determine whether the Serbian center moves from a generational talent to an all-time icon at his position.
For now, Jokic‘s focus remains on the present season, where he is once again making a powerful case for the league’s most prestigious individual honor. The MVP race has largely centered around Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both players have spent the last two seasons near the top of the Kia MVP Ladder, consistently delivering elite performances for their teams.
The MVP race heats up
Another perennial MVP candidate, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, fell out of the race this year after missing too many games to qualify for the award. That absence has left Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander as the central figures in the conversation, with Jokic‘s all-around impact once again standing out.
Rebounding has been a particularly important part of Jokic‘s case this season. While he is widely known for his playmaking and scoring, the Nuggets center currently leads the league in overall rebounding average and also tops the NBA in defensive rebounds at 9.5 per game. Even if his offensive rebounds were removed from the equation, Jokic‘s defensive rebound total alone would still place him 10th in the league in overall rebounding average.
His statistical production since returning from a knee hyperextension in late January has reinforced his MVP credentials. Jokic averaged 25.6 points, 14 rebounds and 9.6 assists in February, numbers that illustrate how close he remains to averaging a triple-double over extended stretches of the season.
Denver‘s position in the standings has slipped slightly since his return, but the context of those losses matters. Two defeats came in overtime, and three others were decided by a combined six points, underscoring how competitive the Nuggets have remained even in tight games.
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