Steve Kerr Declares Nikola Jokic "Best Center I've Ever Seen," Praises Modern NBA Skill

Kerr's Bold Claim: Steve Kerr stated Nikola Jokic is the best center he's witnessed, acknowledging era differences but emphasizing Jokic's unique, modern skillset surpasses even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's capabilities in some respects.

Beyond Skill: Kerr highlighted Jokic's competitiveness and basketball intelligence as key factors, calling him "one of the smartest players ever."

Modern NBA Talent: Kerr expressed awe at the current skill level across the league, suggesting fans might be taking the spectacular performances of players like Jokic (61-point triple-double) and Steph Curry (52 points) for granted.

Jokic's Legacy: The discussion places Jokic, a three-time MVP still in his prime, firmly in the conversation for all-time great status, potentially even top-10 ever.

Elite Offense & Defense: While known for his revolutionary passing and scoring, advanced metrics like defensive box plus-minus also rank Jokic among the league's elite defenders consistently over the past few seasons. Why this matters: This reinforces Jokic's overall impact and justifies the high praise, showing dominance on both ends of the court.

Q: Did Kerr directly say Jokic is better than Kareem overall?

A: Kerr prefaced his comment by saying "It's unfair to compare eras," but stated Jokic is the "best center I've ever seen" and noted Kareem "couldn't do all this stuff," implying Jokic possesses a broader, more modern skillset.

Q: Is Jokic considered a good defender?

A: Yes, despite not being known for traditional athleticism, advanced stats like defensive box plus-minus consistently rank him as one of the NBA's top defenders over the last few seasons. Fellow players have also acknowledged his defensive improvement.

Q: What prompted Kerr's comments on the modern NBA's skill?

A: Watching recent incredible performances, specifically Nikola Jokic scoring 61 points in a triple-double and Steph Curry scoring 52 points on the same night.

Appreciate Greatness: Witnessing players like Jokic and Curry perform at historic levels is special; take time to appreciate the skill in today's NBA.

Beyond the Box Score: Jokic's impact includes elite basketball IQ and vastly improved defense, making him one of the most complete players ever.

Era Debates: While comparing players across different eras is complex, Jokic has undeniably carved out a unique place among the all-time great centers with his modern skillset.

Source 1: Steve Kerr calls Nuggets' Nikola Jokic best center he's ever seen - CBSSports.com target="_blank"

Source 2: Why Steph Curry, Nikola Jokić games provide Steve Kerr NBA revelation – NBC Sports Bay Area & California target="_blank"

Source 3: Nuggets Notes: Pickett, Jokic, Kerr, Westbrook | Hoops Rumors target="_blank"