Best to ever play the game? Maybe, but people will probably point out that longevity and other titles like defensive teams or scoring championships are a factor, so if it does seriously happen for non-Nuggets fans it won’t happen any time soon.
He would have to get past all of the greatest centers to be in the GOAT conversation, which would mean surpassing Kareem, and that would take a lot. As of right now I could see him passing Bill and Wilt assuming he wins at least 2 more championships, gets at least 1 more Finals MVP and continues to get All-Stars/All-NBA selections for the next 5-6 years.
doktarr
I am not one of these people who thinks he’s going to retire early, but he would have to have exceptional longevity to get into the GOAT conversation. It’s not out of the question but it one of many bars he’d have to clear.
Beyond that, it’s just a very tough era to rack up titles in. The league is deep and the cap rules are tight. We saw how hard they’ve been pushed in these playoffs so far; it’s not going to get easier in later years unless and until there’s a couple expansion teams added.
But sure, if Jokic plays another 10+ years and wins 5+ total titles with this level of production, he will be in the conversation.
AB-AA-Mobile
He can end up top-5 at best. But I don’t see him becoming #1.
chief_keeg
I doubt it. However, the best center ever is possible. He wins 3 or more titles, another mvp, and keeps up this production for a while longer.
SongYoungbae
It’s sad how little respect Timmy gets. Though, like Honey, he honestly doesn’t give a fuck.
HumongousMelonheads
We are very far away from having this conversation. Even if we managed to win another championship this year, Jokic is at least another mvp, two more championships, and like 5 seasons of all nba level play on top of that away from being a part of any GOAT conversation. The door is not shut for him but it’s years away from being even a slight possibility
eg14000
if he wins 7 championships he will be the best player all time. But I don’t think Jokic will win 7 championships because the Thunder exist and built there team like they are playing 2k. Jokic is the only All-Star on his team. The Thunder might have three MVP candidates on their team in Chet, SGA and Jalen Williams
Angularbackhands
Maybe. Goat status requires atleast 4 titles, 4 mvps, 10+ 1st team all nba and 15+ seasons of all star level balling. Peak wise, he’s having a goat level peak.
about90frogs
I’m not saying he’s the GOAT, but if you made a list of things someone needed to do to become the GOAT, he’s checking them off.
APe28Comococo
I don’t know about lack of ego. He calls himself a freak of nature.
bootstrap-bills-tits
The real question is whether or not Jokic even cares. Us fucking peasants will debate this til the cows come home. Big honey will be in Serbia forgetting basketball exists while we fiddle with this question. Either way, we are in our golden era and I love big honey 🫶🫶🫶
ccminiwarhammer
He needs this year’s championship with finals MVP and at least two more past that to be in the conversation.
gd2121
lack of defensive accolades will keep him out of the goat discussion. hes gonna end his career with 0 all defensive and no dpoy. lebron has a ton of all defensive and realistically should have been dpoy at least once. MJ was dpoy and a bunch of all defensive. Surpassing duncan will be difficult for the same reason too. Duncan was an elite defender for many years and late into his 30s.
HauntedandHorny
He needs at least 4 more titles to have a case. Possible but far from likely. To be undisputable he’d need 6 more and that would be expecting too much in a league that’s full of superstar talent.
gavinsmash2005
Goat? No but I do think is close to being the most dangerous white man in the land. I think another chip or two and a steady career may put him above bird.
BigDinkyDongDotCom
I don’t think he’ll end up playing long enough for GOAT talks. I just get this weird feeling like he’s about to retire and be with his horses at any fucking moment.
LanguageDue2629
I feel like this is recency bias and just biased nugget fans. If he plays like he is now and wins another MVP and maybe 2-3 more rings then he will be in the conversation but that is an extremely difficult feat. Lebron went to the finals 8 times in a row…. MJ is 6-0 in the finals. Jokic has one ring. Lets be realistic. He needs to pass a lot of other guys before then to even start considering it. I feel like its almost disrespectful and just completely forgetting how good lebron and MJ were.
pfeifits
Love Jokic, but Jordan was the best offensive player and one of the best defensive players in the league every year. And he won 6 titles in a row with a pretty flawed supporting cast. Jokic is already 29 with 1 title, and no sniff of defensive awards. Realistically it isn’t going to happen. I think he is a generational player that has changed the concept of an NBA big man, much like Steph changed the idea of what was possible with shooting the three.
CaffeineJunkee
Reach 3 titles and one more MVP. Will put him in the conversation.
21 Comments
I miss Tim Duncan.
Probably not
Best to ever play the game? Maybe, but people will probably point out that longevity and other titles like defensive teams or scoring championships are a factor, so if it does seriously happen for non-Nuggets fans it won’t happen any time soon.
He would have to get past all of the greatest centers to be in the GOAT conversation, which would mean surpassing Kareem, and that would take a lot. As of right now I could see him passing Bill and Wilt assuming he wins at least 2 more championships, gets at least 1 more Finals MVP and continues to get All-Stars/All-NBA selections for the next 5-6 years.
I am not one of these people who thinks he’s going to retire early, but he would have to have exceptional longevity to get into the GOAT conversation. It’s not out of the question but it one of many bars he’d have to clear.
Beyond that, it’s just a very tough era to rack up titles in. The league is deep and the cap rules are tight. We saw how hard they’ve been pushed in these playoffs so far; it’s not going to get easier in later years unless and until there’s a couple expansion teams added.
But sure, if Jokic plays another 10+ years and wins 5+ total titles with this level of production, he will be in the conversation.
He can end up top-5 at best. But I don’t see him becoming #1.
I doubt it. However, the best center ever is possible. He wins 3 or more titles, another mvp, and keeps up this production for a while longer.
It’s sad how little respect Timmy gets. Though, like Honey, he honestly doesn’t give a fuck.
We are very far away from having this conversation. Even if we managed to win another championship this year, Jokic is at least another mvp, two more championships, and like 5 seasons of all nba level play on top of that away from being a part of any GOAT conversation. The door is not shut for him but it’s years away from being even a slight possibility
if he wins 7 championships he will be the best player all time. But I don’t think Jokic will win 7 championships because the Thunder exist and built there team like they are playing 2k. Jokic is the only All-Star on his team. The Thunder might have three MVP candidates on their team in Chet, SGA and Jalen Williams
Maybe. Goat status requires atleast 4 titles, 4 mvps, 10+ 1st team all nba and 15+ seasons of all star level balling. Peak wise, he’s having a goat level peak.
I’m not saying he’s the GOAT, but if you made a list of things someone needed to do to become the GOAT, he’s checking them off.
I don’t know about lack of ego. He calls himself a freak of nature.
The real question is whether or not Jokic even cares. Us fucking peasants will debate this til the cows come home. Big honey will be in Serbia forgetting basketball exists while we fiddle with this question. Either way, we are in our golden era and I love big honey 🫶🫶🫶
He needs this year’s championship with finals MVP and at least two more past that to be in the conversation.
lack of defensive accolades will keep him out of the goat discussion. hes gonna end his career with 0 all defensive and no dpoy. lebron has a ton of all defensive and realistically should have been dpoy at least once. MJ was dpoy and a bunch of all defensive. Surpassing duncan will be difficult for the same reason too. Duncan was an elite defender for many years and late into his 30s.
He needs at least 4 more titles to have a case. Possible but far from likely. To be undisputable he’d need 6 more and that would be expecting too much in a league that’s full of superstar talent.
Goat? No but I do think is close to being the most dangerous white man in the land. I think another chip or two and a steady career may put him above bird.
I don’t think he’ll end up playing long enough for GOAT talks. I just get this weird feeling like he’s about to retire and be with his horses at any fucking moment.
I feel like this is recency bias and just biased nugget fans. If he plays like he is now and wins another MVP and maybe 2-3 more rings then he will be in the conversation but that is an extremely difficult feat. Lebron went to the finals 8 times in a row…. MJ is 6-0 in the finals. Jokic has one ring. Lets be realistic. He needs to pass a lot of other guys before then to even start considering it. I feel like its almost disrespectful and just completely forgetting how good lebron and MJ were.
Love Jokic, but Jordan was the best offensive player and one of the best defensive players in the league every year. And he won 6 titles in a row with a pretty flawed supporting cast. Jokic is already 29 with 1 title, and no sniff of defensive awards. Realistically it isn’t going to happen. I think he is a generational player that has changed the concept of an NBA big man, much like Steph changed the idea of what was possible with shooting the three.
Reach 3 titles and one more MVP. Will put him in the conversation.