Ranking the best foreign players in the NBA, past and present, has been a contentious topic and most analysts and fans have Hakeem Olajuwon in their top list. Not Kendrick Perkins, who on a recent episode of ESPN’s NBA Today picked reigning MVP and Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic instead.
However, the Houston Rockets legend, Hakeem Olajuwon, who boasts of two NBA titles, came in second place on his list. Rounding up his top five includes Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, and San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili.
Nikola Jokic, Mr. Triple-Double himself. The most skilled center to ever touch the game, to play the game of basketball. You want the dimes? He got that. You want the rebounding? He got that. You want the scoring package? He got that and he’s an NBA champion.
Kendrick Perkins said
The argument for Nikola Jokic is really strong as his resume boasts an NBA title, three NBA MVPs and one Final MVP. Fans and analysts laud his style of play and he is not the conventional center as he loves to score points, create openings for his teammates, and get on the rebounding side of things.
The Joker has made the Denver Nuggets perennial title contenders in their conference and the league in general. With the new season approaching, his best efforts would be needed if the Nuggets are to prove Jayson Tatum wrong when the 2025 NBA Finals start.
Nikola Jokic named NBA top center by former number one pick, Greg Oden
While Kendrick Perkins doesn’t see Nikola Jokic as his top international player, someone else does. During a recent episode of the OG’s Podcast, Greg Oden was asked by hosts Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem to pick his top big man in the league and he didn’t hesitate to name the Big Serbian, Jokic.
Oh Jokic. Like dude, he just does it and he’s great. Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid. I’m still a Nikola Vucevic guy because he’s so solid. And then Brook Lopez.
Greg Oden said on the OGs podcast
The list of top centers in the league at the moment is very long and impressive but few, if any, boast the kind of resume and all-round skill set that Jokic brings. Jokic on a very good day is a force to be reckoned with and it’s not every day one gets praised by a rival.
His status in the league has only been made better by the fact that the Nuggets drafted him in the second round and has been able to distinguish himself as one of the best draft overachievers. In his nine seasons with the Nuggets, he has averaged an impressive 20.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists.
