In a rare moment of humility, Shaquille O’Neal has expressed that Nikola Jokic may soon surpass him in the “Top 5 Centers of All Time” rankings. On the First Things First podcast, O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion, admitted that while his legacy is secured, Jokic’s rising career could see him eclipse Shaq’s spot in the all-time list.
O’Neal reflected on how talent is often judged by stats and championships, and with Jokic already securing an MVP and showing signs of adding more titles, the Serbian big man is well on his way. Shaq humbly stated that if Jokic collects a few more championships, he would undeniably deserve a place in the top ranks of all-time centers.
This admission came as Jokic continues to shine this season, averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 11.7 assists, while leading his Denver Nuggets to a strong five-game win streak. With his stellar play, Jokic is already being mentioned as a frontrunner for another MVP award, and O’Neal seems ready to pass the torch to the next great big man.
