Off to another hot start to begin his 11th NBA season, what does a path to becoming basketball’s greatest of all-time (or G.O.A.T) look like for Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic?

Vinny Benedetto, Nuggets writer

Answer: Unprecedented statistical profile

During the NBA’s NDA – no dynasties allowed – era, there’s only one way for Nikola Jokic to become the GOAT.

It involves a lot more points, rebounds, assists and triple-doubles while maintaining a historic level of efficiency. Another championship or two would certainly help the cause, but Jokic isn’t touching Michael Jordan’s six rings. Matching LeBron James’ four championships would be a shocking development considering the league’s current collective bargaining agreement makes it nearly impossible to keep established cores together for long enough to reach dynasty status.

Jokic can take advantage of his era in a different sense. The modern game features more possessions and therefore more statistics to accumulate. At this rate, Jokic, with a 164 triple-doubles heading into Friday’s game against Houston, will pass Oscar Robertson’s 181 for second place on the NBA’s career chart sometime in the next couple of months.

Overcoming Russell Westbrook for the top spot could happen next season, depending on Westbrook’s ability to add to his total of 203. Topping that list while doing so with elite shooting efficiency gives Jokic an argument against the other popular choices for the greatest of all time.

Midway through the 2020s, the 30-year-old is on pace to be the first player in NBA history to lead a decade in four (points, rebounds, assists, steals) of the five major statistical categories. There’s no end of the production in sight. His 11th NBA season could very well be his best. How many more years are left in his prime or how long he wants to play is anyone’s guess, but his cerebral game should age well, especially on offense.

According to the career Player Efficiency Rating list, Jokic (28.68) is the GOAT ahead of Jordan (27.91) and James (26.88). Advanced stats has a long way to go to catch rings as the primary differentiator for a lot of fans, but the increased difficulty of winning multiple championships combined with the continual growth of the game around the globe making for a deeper NBA than ever, maybe the sentiment will shift.

If so, the door’s wide open for Jokic to climb to the top.

Tyler King, college sports reporter

Answer: Rings, baby!

While Vinny makes an excellent case that Jokic is already on his way to being considered the greatest player in NBA history per advanced metrics, it’s just not something I’m gonna bring up in G.O.A.T conversations at the barber shop.

Let’s be honest. The Joker is a one-of-one. We likely won’t see anything like him in the NBA for a long, long time — unless Victor Wembanyama has something to say about that.

I think Jokic is already a borderline top 10 player in league history already. He’s likely going to win another one, if not two, MVPs and is on pace to break his old pal Russell Westbrook’s record for career triple-doubles. Like Wilt Chamberlain before him, there’s really no stat line Jokic can put up that would surprise anyone anymore.

There’s really only one thing that can push Jokic into a different tier of greatness: championships.

With one ring on his finger already — to go along with the ridiculous statistical profile Vinny mentioned — Jokic is probably in the group of players around Nos. 8-12 all-time that features the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Steph Curry.

A second championship ring (and Finals MVP trophy) could vault him into that next tier among the likes of Chamberlain (who has two titles), Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

A third? Now that’s the only thing I could see pushing him up toward the very top of any list of NBA G.O.A.T.s and join my undisputed trio at the top: Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

One thing’s for sure: Denver has no better chance to get the Joker another ring or two than over the next two seasons.