Nikola Jokic shares his top four greatest NBA players of all time… including one unexpected pick!
NBA star Nikola Jokic recently shared who he thinks are the four greatest players of all time, including one rival from his own era. Jokic, the Denver Nuggets center and three-time NBA MVP, led his team to their first-ever championship in 2023 and earned NBA Finals MVP honors.
In a chat with SPORTbible before announcing his new partnership with Sprite, Jokic revealed the players he’d put on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore and also talked about which opponents have been toughest for him on the court.
Jokic is already seen as one of the best players of his generation, but when asked to name the four greatest in NBA history, he picked three legends from the past: Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain. His fourth choice was Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, the only player from Jokic’s generation to make the list.
He explained, “Probably Bill Russell because of the championships. Michael Jordan because he changed the game. Wilt Chamberlain for all the crazy numbers and stats. And Steph Curry because he also changed the game and he’s from my generation. I’ve played against him, so he definitely left a mark. Those are the four.”
Jokic also talked about which players have been the toughest opponents for him during his career. Instead of naming just one, he mentioned Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, and Victor Wembanyama, showing how deep the talent is in the league right now.
He said, “The league is so talented with so many great players. In my generation, it’s Embiid, Towns, Anthony Davis, and now Victor. It’s a really strong group.”
This conversation came as Jokic was introduced as a new ambassador for Sprite, a brand with a long history in basketball and pop culture. Jokic said he liked the chance to team up with Sprite because of its connection to the sport and the fresh experience it offered.
He told SPORTbible, “Sprite has been a part of the game for a long time, even before I was born. When they asked me, I thought it sounded fun and new. Why not? It’s great for sports.”
Sprite supports being yourself and standing out, a message that fits well with Jokic’s style, especially as he’s become one of basketball’s biggest stars. When asked about staying true to himself, Jokic said, “I think just being yourself, sticking to your path, and doing things your way is what matters most. I’m proud of that, and I hope to keep it up.”