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I don't think there's any real controversy as to who the 5 greatest centers in NBA history are (if we assume Duncan is a PF):

In no order, Russell, Kareem, Shaq, Wilt, and Hakeem. Maybe some would have Moses up there, but I think that's a very small minority.

I also think Jokic is on a career trajectory that easily shoots him up there into that group.

Which of the big 5 gets dropped first in favor of Jokic, if he's not there already?

Among the public, Hakeem because he has the joint fewest rings and none of Wilt’s mythos — but in that sense, Jokic still needs a second title.

Personally, Shaq, but Jokic needs at least another four years of elite play before I start seriously considering that.

None of the big 5....yet. His incredible offensive numbers aside, there are two things lacking to me. 1) No actual competition at position. 2) Defensive side of the ball. I actually lost a lil teeny bit of respect, maybe not the right word, but when Alex Caruso is giving you problems in the post...

Perhaps, I'm not in-luv with what the new center has become, but in an inflated stat league, his overall O is with the best of them. But as a center, his O-rebounding, defensive center stopper/intimidator is well below all others mentioned. No one on OKC should have caused him problems like we saw, and aside from teammates not executing, he was also having issues himself. He is still the only player who may crack my top 10 before he retires, but he needs to lead the defensive charge as well.

I think Russell and Kareem have the surest footing, I have Wilt third, then Shaq and Hakeem behind them.

Jokic is still pretty far from the Big 5 in terms of career value.

Are we forgetting George Mikan?

Jokic will never be among those elite. Especially when a a 6'3 midget shuts him down in Game 7.


Great player no doubt. Not among the history's elite BIG's though. Maybe if he was 25 and not 30 he would have had a shot to maybe over Hakeem . But the BIGs tend to decline pretty quickly after 30. Joker's issue has always been defense and not establishing himself physically in the block and imposing his skills down low. I get what he wants to do with his playmaker guard mentality but thats what a point guard is for

He's below Kareem, Shaq, and Hakeem, and above Russell and Wilt.

Hard to rank him among centers, as center has traditionally been a defensively focused position.

Similar to how Curry feels a bit out of place among point guards, who are usually on-ball/pass-first players.

He'll pass Shaq, probably Hakeem, and possibly Wilt next season. Only Shaq is a lock, though. If Jokic plays.

None for now, hopeful he'll pass Shaq or Wilt.

Jokic’s game is so unique—he’s got that passing and skill set that none of the old greats really had. If I had to pick, maybe Wilt or Shaq get edged out first just because Jokic brings a whole different level of versatility and playmaking