Nikola Jokić recently received high praise from Steve Kerr. With the 2024-25 NBA season coming to an end, Jokić has carried the Denver Nuggets and once gain he is one of the frontrunners to win MVP.
Given that Jokić has already won the award three times, plus a Finals MVP in 2023, the Serbian star is considered by many to be the best center in the league. He’s highly respected by his peers so it was no surprise to hear Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr shower him with praise.
Steve Kerr Shockingly Ranks Nikola Jokić Over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
It is already difficult to compare players from different eras. It is all the more challenging to rank players in terms of all-time greatness when their careers are not complete. After all, there is no way to compare books without finishing the ending.
Be that as it may, Kerr boldly claimed that Jokić is a better center than NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Warriors coach also attempted to validate his stance by revealing that he actually played against Abdul-Jabbar and was more than qualified to make the comparison.
“He’s (Jokić ) the best center I’ve ever seen. I played against Kareem… Kareem couldn’t do all this stuff.”
“He’s the best center I’ve ever seen. I played against Kareem… Kareem couldn’t do all this stuff.”
— Steve Kerr on Nikola Jokic
(via @NotoriousOHM) pic.twitter.com/Ul26sluyTk
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 5, 2025
While Jokić could be considered more talented or creative, fans were stunned by this bold claim. After all, Abdul-Jabbar is viewed by many as the third-best player in league history, only behind LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Called Nuggets Center ‘Dangerous’
By claiming that Jokić is better than the NBA legend, Kerr’s opinion stunned fans and revealed that he likely has a very different top 10 list. There is no denying that Jokić is a rare and unreal talent. However, it is important to keep in mind that Abdul-Jabbar also had a revolutionary offensive weapon with the “Sky Hook.”
Additionally, Abdul-Jabbar was clearly much better on the defensive end of the court when compared to the Denver Nuggets star. Abdul-Jabbar once shared his thoughts on Jokić during a hallway chat with the Denver Gazette’s Mark Kiszla in 2024.
“Jokić allows the Nuggets to play a totally different offense than I’ve ever seen,” Abdul-Jabbar told Kiszla. “Jokić can hit outside shots and he’s a good passer. So, he’s always very dangerous, because he constantly opens up the floor for the rest of the team.”
Abdul-Jabbar has more championships than Jokić. This comes back to the problems that occur when ranking players who have not finished their careers. After all, it is more than possible for Jokić to win another title or MVP in the near future.
Whether it be accolades or statistics, comparing a player with a long career to one who is still in his prime causes a lot of confusion. Fans are left wondering how much merit to give Kerr’s statements and where Jokić will finish his career in terms of all-time rankings.