When we talk about legacy in the NBA, that conversation usually falls into two very distinct categories. The greatest players of all time, and the best players by position. And while that first category is, for most people, a two-man race between the familiar faces of LeBron James and Michael Jordan , the second category gets a whole lot more interesting — especially at the center spot.
In recent years, Nikola Jokic has built a case strong enough to sit at that elite table, but according to Reggie Miller , there's still one thing that "weighs him down," and it has nothing to do with skills or numbers.
"The only thing missing from his resume is chips. He's done everything personally, he's got all the MVPs, he has all the numbers and will have all the numbers to back him. The only thing that will solidify him among the greats are championships," Miller, who is now NBA on NBC lead game analyst, said in his recent appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show."
Sure, Jokic played an instrumental role in delivering the first-ever title to the Denver Nuggets franchise, but Miller wants more. Not because he's a die-hard Nuggets fan, but because he sees the Serbian big man as potentially the greatest ever at a position that has always been brutally stacked. Just think about Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, the two giants who planted the seeds of what an NBA big man should be. Wilt's numbers still look mythical, while Russell's success with the Boston Celtics will never be replicated.
Then you get to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who held the all-time scoring record for almost four decades, and legends like Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal, who dominated in an era when the painted area was a literal battlefield. Considering all of that all-time talent — where does The Joker really stack up?
Aside from being an NBA champion and Finals MVP, he's the guy who night after night puts up video-game numbers, averages a triple-double, and is already a three-time MVP. Some argue he should have even more of those awards, but that's a story for another day. Jokic is already standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the icons mentioned above — he just needs the rings, at least in Miller's eyes, to break through to the top.
"I think the knock on Wilt Chamberlain that he only got one, or two, right? You look at Kareem, who has six. You've got Bill Russell… Hakeem has two. So, I think the only knock with The Joker are chips. So, if he wins chips, he will be in a separate wing of the Hall of Fame. Because his accolades and his resume will be ridiculous at the end of the day," Uncle Reg pointed out.
" If he wins three rings, he is the greatest center of all time... He is competing with Shaq and Kareem..." he concluded.
This season, it's more of the same for the Nuggets superstar. And if the early indicators stay intact, it looks like the fight for MVP will once again come down to him and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander . If he wins it, that would put him at four, making Kareem the only player ahead of him in that department with his legendary six.
But times have changed. Teams becoming decade-long dynasties the way they did in the past feels far-fetched today, and winning multiple championships with one franchise is becoming harder than ever. The league is competitive all across the board, and there are no guaranteed winners.
And yet, Jokic is still "only" 30 (soon to be 31). He shows no signs of slowing down. Quite the opposite, he's getting better with each passing year. If health stays on his side, and if luck gives him even a small push when the postseason rolls around, it's entirely possible that when it's all said and done… We'll be talking about the Big Man GOAT.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Teams section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
