Marcus Morris Shocks: ‘Nikola Jokic Doesn’t Deserve Top 20 NBA – Just a Product of His Era!’

In the ever-intensifying debate over Nikola Jokic’s place in NBA history, free agent forward Marcus Morris has emerged as one of the most outspoken skeptics. During a recent appearance on The Kevin O’Connor Show, Morris doubled down on a statement he made earlier in April on First Take: Jokic is not a top-20 player of all time.

And while the Denver Nuggets superstar continues to earn accolades and admiration from fans, analysts, and legends of the game, Morris isn’t sold—claiming that Jokic’s dominance is more a reflection of today’s NBA than all-time greatness.

Marcus Morris Says Jokic Is Benefiting From a Weak Era of Big Men

According to Marcus Morris, Nikola Jokic’s success isn’t just about his talent—it’s about the era he plays in. During the podcast, Morris offered his perspective on why Jokic, despite being a three-time MVP and NBA Champion, hasn’t earned a place in his personal top 20.

“The same game that he’s been playing is what I’ve been playing for the last 13 years,” Morris said. “There is no big man—there is absolutely no big men in the league.”

Morris argued that over the last five years, Jokic has rarely faced dominant interior defenders. Aside from Joel Embiid, who he only sees twice a year, and occasional matchups with the likes of Ivica Zubac, Morris claimed Jokic hasn’t consistently been challenged by elite bigs.

“He’s been playing against Zubac for the last five years of legit big men and Joel Embiid twice a season,” he continued. “Now, when you look around the league, who’s Jokic’s best defender?”

Morris Doubles Down: Jokic Not in Top 20, But Top 30

While Marcus Morris clarified he doesn’t dislike Jokic, he stood firm on his stance that the Serbian star isn’t in his top 20 all-time NBA players.

“I’m not going to sit here and downgrade Jokic. I believe that Jokic is a really good player. I believe that he’s a great player,” Morris said. “But I got him in the top 30, not the top 20.”

Morris also emphasized that Jokic’s individual brilliance shouldn’t eclipse the context of the era—where small-ball lineups, perimeter focus, and a lack of dominant big men have created an environment ripe for Jokic’s skillset.

“When I was with the Clippers for four years, I was guarding Jokic. I’m a three-four man.”

This admission underscores Morris’s broader point: Jokic hasn’t been consistently tested by true defensive giants. In his words, the last legitimate big Jokic faced was “f—ing Dwight Howard.”

Jokic’s Resume: A Modern Masterpiece

It’s hard to ignore Nikola Jokic’s statistical and championship success:

• 3× NBA MVP (2021, 2022, 2024)

• 2023 NBA Champion

• 2023 Finals MVP

• Career triple-double leader among centers

• Arguably the most efficient offensive big in modern NBA history

Many analysts, fans, and fellow players have been quick to place Jokic in their top 15 or even top 10 all time. His blend of scoring, passing, rebounding, and basketball IQ is something the league has rarely seen from a center.

But for Marcus Morris, the accolades don’t tell the full story.

“He’s a product of the system and timing,” Morris claimed.

Morris vs. Steve Kerr: Disputing Praise From the Warriors’ Head Coach

Adding fuel to the fire, Morris also took aim at Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who recently declared:

“He’s the best center I’ve ever seen,” Kerr said. “I played against Kareem… And Kareem couldn’t do all this stuff. He’s absolutely one of the smartest players ever.”

Morris was incredulous, responding sharply to Kerr’s take.

“He said he’s the best big man he’s ever seen, ever, and he’s seen Shaquille O’Neal,” Morris said. “Are you serious? You’ve seen all the great big men. Come on now.”

Morris went as far as to joke that Kerr “must’ve been on edibles” when he made the comment. It’s a fiery rebuttal to one of the NBA’s most respected coaches, and it’s clear Morris feels the legacy of past greats is being disrespected.

Shaq, Kareem, Hakeem – How Does Jokic Stack Up?

To evaluate Morris’ claim, we have to ask: Does Jokic really belong among the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or Hakeem Olajuwon?

Here’s how Jokic compares in terms of career accomplishments:

While Jokic lags behind in titles, he already matches or surpasses some legends in individual accolades. His offensive game is unmatched among centers in terms of playmaking.

Still, critics like Morris argue that dominance in a diluted era doesn’t automatically elevate Jokic to top-tier all-time status.

Is the Modern NBA Easier for Centers Like Jokic?

One of Morris’s most controversial claims is that today’s NBA lacks the physicality and nightly battles of past eras—especially for big men.

“Whose the last five centers that Jokic had to deal with on a night-to-night basis?” Morris asked rhetorically.

In contrast, Shaq had to battle Yao Ming, Ben Wallace, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett, all physical and elite interior defenders. Jokic, on the other hand, sees undersized lineups and hybrid forwards guarding him regularly.

Even Draymond Green, an undersized center at 6’6”, was tasked with guarding Jokic in the playoffs. That’s a testament to Jokic’s uniqueness—but also fuels Morris’s argument that he’s not facing true positional peers.

The Broader Debate: Respect or Recency Bias?

What’s really at the heart of Morris’s criticism is the question of recency bias.

Is the basketball world too quick to crown current stars and rewrite the all-time rankings before their careers are finished?

It’s a fair concern. Players like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant have all faced questions about how they compare to the icons of previous eras. But Jokic is perhaps the most scrutinized because of how unconventional his dominance is.

He doesn’t fly through the air. He doesn’t bark at opponents. He doesn’t sell sneakers. He just wins quietly.

And that, perhaps, is what makes Jokic so polarizing.

What Would Change Marcus Morris’ Mind?

Host Kevin O’Connor posed an important question: What would Jokic have to do to convince you he’s top 20?

Morris didn’t give a specific answer, but his overall message was clear: Sustain it. Face tougher competition. Keep winning.

In other words, longevity and adversity are what will push Jokic over the top for critics like Morris.

Conclusion: Jokic’s Greatness is Undeniable—But Not Unanimous

Nikola Jokic has already etched his name into the history books with three MVPs, a championship, and some of the most eye-popping statistics ever recorded by a center. For many, he’s already a top-15 player all time—possibly even higher.

But Marcus Morris’s comments are a reminder that not everyone is ready to crown him just yet.

Whether it’s nostalgia, respect for past eras, or legitimate basketball analysis, there remains a divide between fans, analysts, and players over Jokic’s legacy.

One thing is certain: the Joker is still writing his story—and whether he ends up top 20, top 10, or the greatest center ever, he’s already changed the way we think about basketball’s biggest men.