Nikola Jokic Is Proving Himself as an NBA Legend With Historic Stretch

Nikola Jokic has dominated the NBA over the last half decade, earning three MVPs and winning a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, but how effective that Jokic has actually been is far more than the casual NBA world might realize. 

His undisputed reign as the NBA's best layer may have come to an end with the rise of players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and the emergency of Victor Wembanyama, but that doesn't mean that Jokic isn't still firmly in the best player in the world conversation and it certainly doesn't take away from how dominant Jokic has been in his career.

To put just how far above his peers Jokic has been in recent years, in this decade he is the league leader in points with 14,640, rebounds with 6,680, assists with 4,880 and steals with 775. 

 Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in overtime at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesHistory by Jokic

He is the only player in NBA history to lead a decade in four major categories, including the playoffs, which truly puts his dominance into a league of his own. 

Of course, the decade isn't over yet with another four seasons left to play, three if the 2029-2030 season isn't counted, and Jokic is 31 -years-old, but there's nothing indicating that his level of play will slow down any time soon or diminish his greatness enough for his four-category dominance to be supplanted by anyone. 

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

What makes Jokic so truly dominant and why he's even in the position to lead in so many different categories is how versatile he is.

Why Jokic is So Effective

Not only is Jokic able to use his massive size to dominant within the interior like a traditional center, leading to his rebounding and scoring prowess both in under the rim and at midrange, but he also is an above-average three point shooter with a career 36.2% three point percentage and above all else, his playmaking is unmatched in the NBA today.

Jokic is able to utilize his size and his court vision to be a crucial focal point on the floor, acting as a pivot that the offense can move through and utilizing his gravity, he can find wide open teammates to create great looks for their shots. 

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (15) shoots the ball during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

A three point shooting point center that plays at the level that Jokic does is all but unprecedented in the NBA and it's clearly led to Jokic's dominant status in the NBA today and may be why he retires as one of the greatest player ever. 

Jokic may have competition now for the top spot in the NBA and the MVP races that he runs in going forward may be more competitive, but there's no denying that the way that Jokic has lorded over the rest of the NBA in the 2020s is something that has rarely ever been seen in the NBA before.