The NBA has a rich history of elite centers dominating the game over the last 78 years. However, few players have managed to dominate on the court like Shaquille O’Neal did during his prime. The three-time Finals MVP has watched centers challenge his position as an all-time center, but nobody was a real threat until Nikola Jokic.
On the latest episode of NBA on TNT, Shaq was asked how a matchup between 2001 Shaq and 2025 Jokic would go. It’s safe to say that Shaq wasn’t humble in his response.
“Slavian chicken, or wherever he’s from. Slovenian chicken. I’m getting 40, and they’re gonna have to double me. He’s probably going to pick-and-pop and do all that but he probably won’t be in the game for a while. I hit way more twos than he can hit threes. I’m gonna make his brothers fight me because the first play of the game – elbow… Serban barbeque chicken.”
2001 Shaq vs 2025 Jokić 🍿
Big Fella thinks it's Serbian BBQ chicken 💀 pic.twitter.com/OJAVA45JI8
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 1, 2025
A Jokic vs. Shaq matchup with both in their primes is fascinating as they both bring two entirely different styles of playing to the court. Jokic won’t beat Shaq by traditionally outmaneuvering him on post-ups. He’ll try to maximize his team’s success whenever he’s on the ball and has Shaq in a matchup through passing while also taking three-point shots to ensure Shaq has to guard the perimeter.
Jokic could have signature defensive moments against Shaq, but over the course of a 48-minute matchup against prime Shaq, there’s very little impact Jokic can have defensively. This will be an offensive battle, so Jokic has to hope his overall offensive contributions against Shaq can eke out the veteran.
If we’re getting 2001 Shaq, he averaged 28.7 points and 12.7 rebounds that season and was one vote shy of becoming the NBA’s first-ever unanimous MVP. Jokic might not win MVP this season, but he’s averaging 29.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, on-track to become only the third NBA player to average a triple-double for a season.
It’s hard to pick one over the other. Jokic could have a greater impact in a team game, while Shaq would likely beat Jokic in a straight-up one-on-one. It’d be exciting, nonetheless.
Shaq Knows Jokic Deserves To Be A Top-5 Center Of All Time
People have often criticized Shaq for being a ‘hater’ of the modern game with his harsh criticisms of current players. But with Jokic, Shaq has always discussed the Serbian center with respect.
The peak of the same came when Shaq admitted he doesn’t view himself as a top-five center of all-time as a four-time Champion and three-time Finals MVP. However, he views Jokic as worthy of earning that status with more titles.
“I wouldn’t put myself in there. But, people judge talent in many ways. Stats, of course, is one of them. Championships are one of them. He has one. I think if he gets up in the three-championship realm, he’ll definitely be on that list. He’s on that list for me, I wouldn’t put myself on that list. You always gotta count the guys who made me who I am. Kareem, Mr. Chamberlain, and Mr. Russell.”
Jokic’s ability is unquestionable. It’s hard to imagine the Nuggets winning a title this season as presently constructed, but if it happens, Jokic might cement his name as the best player of the 2020s and the only center drafted in the 21st century to be a legitimate rival to the legends of the ’90s and earlier.
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