Nuggets superstar surpasses SHAQ O’NEAL: UNIQUE title!

The Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic have been dominating the NBA for the past several years, and everyone has taken notice.

There is no doubt that Jokic has cemented himself as the top big man in the league throughout his decade with the Nuggets. In earning three MVPs and securing an NBA title, he has also staked his claim as arguably the best player in all of basketball.

With such an impressive resume, there shouldn’t be much surprise that Jokic landed on CBS Sports’ All-Quarter Century First Team. Of course, he had to beat some stiff competition to secure that top spot.

Battle of the Bigs

Jokic’s spot on the first team was the only one that wasn’t a unanimous selection in CBS Sports’ poll of its NBA staff. Jokic’s top competition was Shaquille O’Neal, who secured the 2000 MVP and won four NBA titles and three Finals MVPs.

Although his time in Orlando and the first few years in Los Angeles weren’t considered, O’Neal’s post-2000 resume is one of the most impressive of any player. While O’Neal was certainly known for being the league’s most dominant player in his prime, Jokic’s ability to put up similar numbers in scoring and rebounding while being a good outside shooter and the best passing big man of all time likely gave him the nod.

Although putting Jokic over O’Neal in an all-time ranking is bold, there is plenty of evidence to back up Jokic’s placement. As he looks to lead the Nuggets to another NBA title next season, expect him to be right in the middle of the MVP discussion yet again.