Shaquille O’Neal explains why he thinks Nikola Jokic is the “Tim Duncan of big men”
Tim Duncan and Nikola Jokic
© Isaiah J. Downing - USA TODAY Sports
Nikola Jokic's NBA journey has been a delight to watch. From a 41st overall pick, he has transformed into arguably the best center in the league today. Even if he is a unique player, comparisons to some of the all-time greats are inevitable. But Shaquille O'Neal might have offered one of the most comical ones yet.
"Kenny and Chuck, I hope you agree with me," Shaq said. "He's the Tim Duncan of big men."
Isn't TD a big man?
To be likened to the San Antonio Spurs legend is certainly quite flattering. After all, Duncan is arguably the best power forward in history and has earned many achievements throughout his 19-year career.
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However, the fact that Jokic and Duncan are both technically big men has some who heard the "Inside the NBA" host's statement stopping in their tracks. Maybe it's just semantics, as O'Neal could have meant to point out that the Denver Nuggets and Spurs stars primarily played different positions, although Duncan played mostly at center in the latter stages of his career.
Shaq has also made it clear several times in the past that he believes "power forwards and big men are two different categories."
Similarities between Joker and TD
Whether you agree with O'Neal's explanation about the positions or not, it's hard not to concur that there are indeed plenty of similarities between Duncan and Jokic. The burly big man also expressed why he made that comparison.
"The way he dominates the game," Shaq explained. "He's not flashy, love this kid."
Like the Spurs icon, Joker has been dominating opponents without being flashy (except for his passes.) For example, two games ago, the two-time MVP put up a 40-point, 27-rebound, and 10-assist stat line to lead Denver to a four-point win over the Charlotte Hornets. Then on Tuesday, he recorded a lucky triple-double (13-13-13), and even though it wasn't as stellar as his previous numbers, you could tell that the all-around big had his imprint all over the game.
If he continues playing this way through the rest of the season and helps the Nuggets maintain their lead in the Western Conference, the league could see the first player to win three consecutive MVP awards since Larry Bird from 1984 to 1986.
