Superstar center Nikola Jokic just concluded an incredible run in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, capped off by leading the Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history.
The two-time MVP etched his name all over the NBA Playoffs record books along the way. All he needed was 15 games to surpass the great Wilt Chamberlain (7) for the most triple-doubles in a single postseason run. Jokic accomplished that feat in the Western Conference Finals, then went on to add two more to his total in the NBA Finals to extend the all-time record (10).
His last triple-double of the postseason came in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where he became the first player in NBA history to have a 30-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist triple-double on the championship stage.
And he wasn't done there. Arguably his most impressive feat of the postseason, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to lead the entire playoffs in total points, total rebounds and total assists — an accomplishment that perfectly encapsulates how unbelievably special his skillset is and his championship run was.
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With an undeniably all-time great playoff performance, Jokic has solidified his place among the best players in the history of the game. But where does the 28-year-old star rank among his peers and just how high can he climb?
The Sporting News had nine staff members vote on their top 25 NBA players of all time. You can find the final results below.
The Sporting News' Top 25 NBA players of all-time
| Rank | Player | Titles | MVP | All-NBA |
| 1. | Michael Jordan | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| 2. | LeBron James | 4 | 4 | 19 |
| 3. | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| 4. | Bill Russell | 11 | 5 | 11 |
| 5. | Magic Johnson | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| 6. | Wilt Chamberlain | 2 | 4 | 10 |
| 7. | Larry Bird | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 8. | Tim Duncan | 5 | 2 | 15 |
| 9. | Shaquille O'Neal | 4 | 1 | 14 |
| 10. | Kobe Bryant | 5 | 1 | 15 |
| 11. | Hakeem Olajuwon | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| 12. | Stephen Curry | 4 | 2 | 9 |
| 13. | Kevin Durant | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| 14. | Julius Erving | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| 15. | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 16. | Kevin Garnett | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 17. | Moses Malone | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| 18. | Oscar Robertson | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| 19. | Nikola Jokic | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 20. | Jerry West | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| 21. | Dirk Nowitzki | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| 22. | Karl Malone | 0 | 2 | 14 |
| 23. | David Robinson | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| 24. | Charles Barkley | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| 25. | Elgin Baylor | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Others receiving votes: Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Bob Pettit, Steve Nash, John Havelick
After tallying the votes, Jokic landed 19th all-time following his historic NBA Playoff run that was capped off adding a championship and Finals MVP to his trophy case that already had two regular season MVPs.
In the minds of our nine voters, that was enough to place him ahead of Hall of Fame bigs such as Dirk Nowitzki, Karl Malone, David Robinson and Charles Barkley. However, Jokic still fell just behind other Hall of Famers like Moses Malone, Kevin Garnett and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While you could probably make an argument for Jokic against Malone, Garnett or Antetokounmpo, there is really no debate that he belongs in the conversation with the six best bigs in NBA history... yet.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon are the consensus greatest centers to ever play the game. Jokic still has a ways to go before he enters that elite tier.
Nikola Jokic vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo debate
With his 2023 NBA championship, Jokic has entered the debate with Antetokounmpo for the greatest international player of all time.
Antetokounmpo has held that crown since leading the Bucks to an NBA title in 2021, and it still rests on his head for now. But there is no denying that he and Jokic will likely pass that honor back and forth for the remainder of their careers.
Antetokounmpo came in at No. 15 on our list, while Jokic trails four spots behind him. That feels about right, considering they have the same number of MVPs and championships, but Antetokounmpo also has a Defensive Player of the Year, two more All-NBA honors and five more All-Defensive Team honors.
Antetokounmpo's standing as one of the best defenders in the NBA is what separates him from Jokic but right now, it feels like MVPs and championships will be the deciding factor between who lands higher on the all-time greats list when it's all said and done.
How can Nikola Jokic crack top 15 all-time?
At 28 years old and his current trajectory, it feels like time is the only thing preventing Jokic from eventually becoming a top 15 player in NBA history.
He has made five consecutive All-NBA and All-Star teams, he has been at the top of the MVP race for three consecutive seasons and just claimed his first NBA championship.
It's safe to say that, barring injury (for a player who has been extremely durable), Jokic will continue to rack up All-NBA and All-Star honors over the next five-plus seasons while remaining a lead MVP candidate for a team that is built for sustained success.
MORE: Will Jokic's Nuggets be the next NBA dynasty?
If Jokic could add another MVP and championship to his resume, he will be impossible to keep out of the top 15 of all time. The sky is the limit for the Serbian superstar.