It’s troublesome to imagine that Nikola Jokic has already been within the NBA for a decade. The 2024-25 season marks his tenth yr within the league, and February 19 is his thirtieth birthday. Seen because the icon of the European takeover of the NBA, Jokic is already cemented as the best European participant in NBA historical past — nevertheless it’s simple to miss that he’s additionally had among the best 10-year runs within the historical past of the affiliation.
Jokic’s profession has not been about defying expectations, however redefining them. Proof optimistic that consciousness and method can thrive in a sport that places a premium on athleticism. The dad-bod within the center, Jokic has risen above his friends to make the Nuggets among the best groups within the NBA over the course of his profession — one thing that different stars in Denver struggled with constantly up to now.
Whereas Jokic’s brilliance has at all times been couched in “greatest European,” or “greatest huge man,” the truth is that his 10 years within the NBA places him amongst a number of the biggest gamers within the historical past of the game.
- Invoice Russell (1956-1966): 5x MVP, 9x NBA Champion, 9x NBA All-Star
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969-1979): 6x MVP, 2x NBA Champion, 9 x NBA All-Star
- Larry Fowl (1979-1989): 3x MVP, 3x NBA Champion, 9x NBA All-Star
- Michael Jordan (1984-1995): 3x MVP, 3x NBA Champion, 9x NBA All-Star
- LeBron James (2003-2013): 4x MVP, 2x NBA Champion, 9x NBA All-Star
- Nikola Jokic (2015-2025): 3x MVP, 1x NBA Champion, 7x NBA All-Star
These are the one six gamers within the historical past of the NBA who received MVP at the very least thrice, and have been named to 5 or extra NBA All-Star video games of their first 10 seasons. Jokic’s season isn’t performed but, and whereas he and the Nuggets really feel like outsiders for profitable the NBA championship this yr, the door continues to be open.
Amongst these six gamers solely Russell, Kareem, Fowl, and now Jokic managed to common over a double-double of their first 10 seasons. This reveals that not solely does Jokic’s particular person awards warrant benefit, however his statistics stand among the many greats.
It’s previous time to take away any qualifiers from Jokic’s legacy. To easily recognize him as among the best gamers of all time. Even when his profession continues to be ongoing. We gave this degree of deference to LeBron, now it’s Nikola’s flip.
