* **Q: Did Kerr directly say Jokic is better than Kareem overall?
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ARTICLE DETAIL
Steve Kerr Declares Nikola Jokic "Best Center I've Ever Seen," Praises Modern NBA Skill | Rasheer Fleming Shines in Career Night as Suns Beat Hornets | Carter Bryant's Impact on the San Antonio Spurs | Victor Wembanyama's MVP and DPOY Potential: A Deep Dive | Chicago Bulls vs. Sacramento Kings: Game Preview, Odds, and Predictions for March 8, 2026 | Luke Kennard's Impact on the Lakers: A Potential Playoff X-Factor | Luka Dončić Shines as Lakers Beat Pacers; His Improving Defense Goes Unnoticed | Lakers' Ayton Exits with Knee Injury, LeBron James Sore After Loss | Evan Mobley and James Harden: Building a Winning Partnership | Steve Kerr Declares Nikola Jokic "Best Center I've Ever Seen," Praises Modern NBA Skill | Rasheer Fleming Shines in Career Night as Suns Beat Hornets | Carter Bryant's Impact on the San Antonio Spurs | Victor Wembanyama's MVP and DPOY Potential: A Deep Dive | Chicago Bulls vs. Sacramento Kings: Game Preview, Odds, and Predictions for March 8, 2026 | Luke Kennard's Impact on the Lakers: A Potential Playoff X-Factor | Luka Dončić Shines as Lakers Beat Pacers; His Improving Defense Goes Unnoticed | Lakers' Ayton Exits with Knee Injury, LeBron James Sore After Loss | Evan Mobley and James Harden: Building a Winning Partnership
NBA / Player Analysis
Steve Kerr Declares Nikola Jokic "Best Center I've Ever Seen," Praises Modern NBA Skill
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr recently made headlines with high praise for Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, calling him the "best center I've ever seen." This statement, comparing Jokic favorably even to legends like Kareem A...
Key Insights
- **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.
In-Depth Analysis
Steve Kerr's comments came before a Warriors-Nuggets game, adding weight to his assessment. While acknowledging the difficulty of comparing eras, Kerr focused on Jokic's unprecedented versatility for a center – his passing, scoring touch from anywhere on the court, and exceptional basketball IQ. He noted, "Kareem couldn't do all this stuff," referring to Jokic's unique blend of skills tailored to the modern game.
This praise isn't isolated. Fellow players like Draymond Green have noted Jokic's significant improvement on defense, recognizing his dedication to becoming a two-way force necessary for championship contention. Statistics back this up, with Jokic consistently leading in defensive box plus-minus.
Kerr's broader point about the current NBA's skill level was underscored by near-simultaneous high-scoring games: Jokic recording the highest-scoring triple-double in history (61 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) and Steph Curry pouring in 52 points. Kerr believes such feats, now almost routine, would have been mind-blowing a decade ago and deserve greater appreciation. Jokic's impact goes beyond traditional stats; his court vision and ability to elevate teammates are defining characteristics of his greatness. Even Kerr, a contemporary of many legends, sees something unique and potentially unparalleled in the Serbian center.
FAQ
* **Q: Is Jokic considered a good defender?
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* **Q: What prompted Kerr's comments on the modern NBA's skill?
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Takeaways
- **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.
Discussion
Nikola Jokic is building a legendary career right before our eyes. Do you agree with Steve Kerr's assessment? Is Jokic the best center you've ever seen? Let us know your thoughts!
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Sources
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"
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