Shaquille O’Neal Welcomes Nikola Jokic to Exclusive NBA Centers Club

• Nikola Jokic's first NBA title and Finals MVP made him one of the best centers in NBA history
• Shaquille O'Neal has welcomed the Serbian into the exclusive club of legendary NBA centers
• Jokic is the first player to lead all others in points, rebounds, and assists in a single postseason

Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA title earlier this week, with his outstanding performances being rewarded with the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award.

He averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists for the Nuggets as they won the series against the Miami Heat in five games.

NBA legend, Shaquille O'Neal has since welcomed the Serbian to the 'Big Man Alliance' of greatest NBA centers.

The list includes some iconic centers in NBA history, namely: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and the late Bill Russell.

These great centers have incredible resumes. However, none of them were drafted in the middle of a Taco Bell commercial, something that makes Jokic's achievement unmatched.

Fascinating facts about the 10 most successful NBA coaches in league history

NBA

Jokic among great NBA centers

In his 8th NBA season, Jokic's resume reads two MVPs, five-time All-NBA, NBA champion, and Finals MVP. He is also the first player with 10 triple-doubles in a single postseason.

Furthermore, the Serbian is the first player to lead all players in points, rebounds, and assists for an entire postseason.

O'Neal is regarded as the most dominant player in NBA history with an immaculate CV. The Lakers icon is a four-time NBA champion and 14x All-NBA, and is surely a top 10 player of all time. He won his first NBA title in 27 years compared to Jokic, who did it at 28.

Olajuwon was phenomenal in the 1990s, an era when Michael Jordan was the best sports star in the world. The Nigerian-born center won two NBA titles in his career and won his first ring at 31. The Houston Rockets legend finished his career with 12 All-NBA selections.

NBA players with dreads: Who has the best locks in the league right now?

NBA

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and David Robinson won a combined 21 NBA championships in their career.

Patrick Ewing is arguably the greatest center to never win a ring - he took the New York Knicks to two NBA finals and is their greatest-ever player.

Jokic certainly belongs in this group of centers after his latest accomplishment, per the Athletic. He has done a lot at 28 and could add more in the next few years.

Jokic uninterested in championship parade

Sports Brief also reported on Jokic getting distraught after discovering the Denver Nuggets' championship parade will mess with his travel plans.

The NBA Finals MVP found out he could miss the horse race in his native country of Serbia this weekend because of the team's celebration event.