Who is truly the best all-time center? Two of the most talented centers ever are Nikola Jokic and Shaquille O’Neal, superstar big men that dominated the league during their respective eras. Jokic has risen up the ranks as a dominant big man because, despite his lack of physical musculature and athleticism, his ability to pass the ball and also use his size in the modern era to score has made him unstoppable. A unique point-center who pushes the pace on rebounds and sets his teammates up for good looks, no big man has ever played the way the Serbian has. With two MVP awards to his name, Jokic is in special company as an all-time great talent in his position.

But could Jokic be possibly better than Shaquille O’Neal? We saw how Shaquille O’Neal completely dominated the NBA for three straight years with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning three championships and three Finals MVPs as a result. A powerhouse figure with abnormal strength, there was simply no answer for Shaq in the paint. He was simply stronger and more determined than any other big man in the game. Many might not remember either, but O’Neal was also unique in his ability to run the floor and also explode off his feet. Even if he only won one MVP award in the regular season, his success as a championship player and multiple-time All-Star was the reason O’Neal is considered a top-10 player of all time.

Jokic is the greatest passing big man ever and has two MVP awards to his name, along with five All-Star and five All-NBA selections, so he is climbing the ranks among the all-time centers as we speak. When comparing both centers, it is obvious either center was a franchise cornerstone for any team. While Jokic is only 28 years old and still competing at an elite level, it is time to push away bias and compare the Serbian with the Diesel in terms of the major s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 categories to decide who the better player is. Without further ado, here is the comparison between Nikola Jokic and Shaquille O’Neal in terms of s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set.

Scoring – Shaquille O’Neal

Nikola Jokic is known for his soft touch and all-around s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 when it comes to scoring the basketball. He has a unique blend of size and agility that makes him a threat both inside the paint and out on the perimeter, and while he is an excellent shooter, particularly from mid-range, he is also proficient in the post. He excels at using his footwork and ability to read the defense to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Jokic is averaging 20.2 PPG over his career, nailing 55.3% from the floor, 34.8% from three, and 82.9% from the free-throw line.

Meanwhile, Shaq was a force on offense and had a few go-to moves, including the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 hook, whenever he had to use a little more s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 than simply dunking over people. But the big man relied on his strength to generate his points because there was nobody on the floor who could handle his size, determination, and raw force. With two scoring titles to his name and a career average of 23.7 PPG on 58.2% FG, 4.5% 3-PT FG, and 52.7% FT, Shaq is the better scorer than Jokic even if he did not shoot threes or free throws nearly as well.

Shooting – Nikola Jokic

In terms of shooting, Nikola Jokic and Shaquille O’Neal have very different s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 sets. Jokic is known for his ability to shoot from a distance and is also a solid mid-range shooter. The big Serbian has a solid three-point shot, shooting an impressive 34.8% from behind the arc over his career. He also has a reliable mid-range shot and can finish well around the rim, often using his powerful frame to back down helpless defenders and score nearly every time. Many fall in love with the Serbian’s jumper, but his ability to finish around the rim is simply elite.

Shaq clearly can’t shoot a lick, as he shot only 52.7% from the free-throw line over his career and never attempted three-pointers. Diesel only attempted a total of 22 three-pointers over his career, as he made it clear he wants to be around the rim to punish defenses time and time again. Shaq could never shoot like Jokic and there is no comparison between them when it comes to purely marksmanship.

Athleticism – Shaquille O’Neal

Nikola Jokic does not have much athleticism, although raw size and strength come into play when discussing this category. While he may not have the same level of quickness and leaping ability as other elite big men, Jokic uses his strength, footwork, and vision to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. At 6’11” and 284 lbs, Jokic’s power is certainly a factor in his game which is why he will always be a threat if he is near the basket. However, he does not have O’Neal’s athleticism.

Diesel is one of the most imposing players to ever play the game, and many think that he was not athletic. That is actually untrue because Shaq moved very well for a man of his size. He was great at running on the break, getting in position, and throwing defenders through the basket with force. We saw Shaq run the break exceptionally well and he could also get above the rim to finish dunks better than most expected. As a player who is stronger, more explosive, and faster than Jokic, Shaq wins this category by a wide margin.

Defense – Shaquille O’Neal

Nikola Jokic’s defense is more focused on positioning and decision-making, although he is not considered an elite defender by any means. At 6’11” and over 280 lbs, the Serbian is also massive as a figure in the paint and that will always make it hard for opposing players to score in the paint. Over his career, Jokic is averaging 1.2 SPG and 0.7 BPG, while his postseason numbers sit at 1.1 SPG and 0.9 BPG. Nikola is slow to recover on defense and does not have Shaq’s elite explosiveness.

Shaq was capable of being a defensive stopper, mainly because it was impossible not to run into him when attacking the rim. The immovable force he was, Shaq made three All-Defensive Teams and holds a career average of 2.3 BPG. Over his career, he averaged at least 3.0 BPG twice and had his career-high 3.5 BPG in his rookie season. O’Neal could sky-high for blocks and also use his size to intimidate players, while Jokic is not an intimidator around the rim or on defense.

Handles – Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic is known for his excellent ball-handling s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s for a big man since he can bring the ball up the court or take defenders off the dribble. He is also proficient in executing pick-and-rolls, which allows him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Jokic’s ball-handling s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s also permit him to run the offense and make plays from the high post, showcasing his versatility as a player. For the first time ever, we are seeing a point center dominate the NBA even when he is not near the basket.

Shaquille O’Neal, on the other hand, is not known for his ball-handling abilities but can hold his own at times. The superstar center’s primary role on offense was to not run the offense or facilitate plays but use his size and athleticism to make him a formidable force in the paint. No doubt, Jokic has an edge when it comes to ball handling, and there should be no debate about that because O’Neal relied on his guards to get him the ball.

Clutch – Even

Nikola Jokic is clutch because he will always make the correct plays. Jokic has come through time and time again and has been a force when it comes to closing out opponents, including the stub𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 Phoenix Suns. Whether it comes to scoring or making the correct pass, the Serbian will be a force in the clutch this year in the NBA Finals as he continues to gain experience as a superstar player. Jokic’s clutch performances have not led to championship success just yet, but in time it might.

Shaquille O’Neal was an underrated clutch player because critics only look at his inability to consistently make free throws. But when it absolutely counted, Shaq would come through for his teams. The Lakers legend was always known for making big plays in crunch time, whether that came on offense or defense. An all-time great winner, Shaq was certainly a clutch performer because whether it was finishing plays or coming up big on defense, O’Neal was an all-time great clutch player.

Leadership – Even

In terms of leadership, Nikola Jokic and Shaquille O’Neal approached the game with very different styles. Jokic is a vocal leader who leads by his actions and by uplifting, while Shaq was intimidating and very vocal. Jokic is known for his passion and energy on the court, which inspires his teammates and pushes them to play harder. He’s not afraid to demand the best from his teammates and hold them accountable when necessary. Not to mention, Jokic often deflects praise to his teammates, and that makes them better, which is a form of leadership.

Shaq was an elite leader, using his intimidation and physical size to make a presence. On the court, O’Neal had superstar numbers and impact, which led to a solid number of wins every season. The superstar center demanded respect because he was not only a dominant player but someone who was a protector of his teammates. O’Neal was willing to uplift his teammates as required, but his leadership demanded an increased level of play from everyone else, and that made him a sensational leader.

Basketball IQ – Nikola Jokic

Basketball IQ is a critical component in any player’s success, and both Nikola Jokic and Shaquille O’Neal have demonstrated a high level of basketball IQ throughout their careers. Jokic has been praised for his basketball IQ due to his high level of court vision and outstanding passing ability. As an elite playmaker, Jokic often reads the defense well and makes the right decisions in split-second situations, setting up his teammates in scoring positions. Nikola is averaging 6.6 APG over his career and has had five straight seasons posting at least 7.0 APG, which is almost unheard of.

Shaq’s basketball IQ was elite because he knew where his bread was buttered and dominated down low. He was not the passer that Jokic was, which is why the Serbian will win this category, but Shaq’s IQ was clearly high because four championships wouldn’t signify otherwise. The difference is that Shaq could not read the floor as well as Jokic does because the Serbian is a basketball savant with exceptional court vision that is transcendent. Out of respect for Jokic’s playmaking, he wins this category.

Impact – Shaquille O’Neal

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Nikola Jokic, a two-time MVP, has been the driving force behind the Denver Nuggets’ success since he entered the league. His passing ability from the center position is unrivaled, and his scoring and rebounding abilities make him a triple-double threat every time he takes the court. Over his career, the Serbian is posting 20.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.7 BPG while shooting over 55% from the field, 34% from three, and 82% from the free-throw line.

Of course, Shaq is the most dominant player of all time, or at least since Wilt Chamberlain. O’Neal could not be stopped inside and often required triple teams to get him to pass out of the post. With three straight titles and Finals MVP awards, Shaq is on a different level when it comes to raw impact, and no other center besides Wilt or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar can compare to him. As great as Jokic is as a passer, he can sometimes be a defensive liability and Shaq was a dominant figure year after year.

Efficiency – Even

The Denver Nuggets superstar is known for his high level of efficiency as a passer and a shooter, the latter being the main reason why the center is far more efficient than O’Neal in terms of shooting. The Serbian is shooting 55.3% from the field, 34.8% from deep, and 82.9% from the foul line. Jokic is automatic from mid-range and around the rim and can also get hot from deep when his high-arcing jumper swishes through the net. The reason he doesn’t get the nod over Shaq was that the superstar center was also elite around the rim.

O’Neal shot an incredible 58.2% from the field and also had four seasons posting at least 60% from the field and never averaging under 55% from the field in a single season. O’Neal was incredibly dominant inside the paint and even if he did not have to make free throws consistently, he made them when they counted and his presence in the lane as an elite scorer was simply spectacular. As a result, he evens this category up with Jokic.

1-On-1 Game – Shaquille O’Neal

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When it comes to the one-on-one game, Jokic’s unique s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set as a big man allows him to take advantage of mismatches from both inside and outside the perimeter. He’s an excellent post-up player, can score with finesse, and has a great ability to read the defense, which enables him to effectively draw defenders toward him before hitting open teammates. The Serbian can also nail outside shots and make his free throws, but he lacks the raw power and dominance that Shaquille O’Neal showed year after year.

Shaq was tremendously dominant in one-on-one situations, using incredible force and strength to power past any defenders. There is simply no player in NBA history other than Wilt Chamberlain, who was as unstoppable as Diesel was. Shaq had 10 seasons posting at least 25 PPG and won two scoring titles while also dominating on defense due to his size and athleticism. While Jokic is often defended by one player, Shaq needed two at a minimum and that is the difference.

Final ResultShaquille O’Neal vs. Nikola Jokic 5-3

In the end, there is no doubt that Shaquille O’Neal was the better player and will be an all-time greater center than Nikola Jokic. The Serbian is a more dominant player in terms of using his playmaking and shooting to lead his team to victories, but Shaq was the better scorer, defender, and impact player. O’Neal obviously has the better resume, although he won only one MVP award compared to Nikola’s two, but the impact of Shaq was simply on another level.

If Jokic can win a championship, that would be a start in cutting a major gap in career categories between the Serbian and the former Lakers superstar. Jokic’s ability to pass and shoot makes him a one-of-a-kind center that has no comparison in terms of s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, but O’Neal is a far more impactful player and one-on-one talent since only Wilt Chamberlain can compare to him in that regard. No player in history was stronger than Shaq and that is a massive difference for a big man who relies on size and power.

As great as Jokic has been in recent seasons as a passer and shooter, he likely won’t be able to compare to Shaq in terms of dominance. O’Neal would have dominated in any era and had he played today, it would have been hilariously unfair to see defenders flop while trying to handle Diesel. Jokic has a legitimate argument for being a top-10 center of all time in terms of pure s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 and impact, Shaq is among the top five ever without a doubt and many place him among the top three since there is no true comparison to him.