Stan Van Gundy on Nikola Jokic: 'He might be the best player in the history of the NBA'
Stan Van Gundy did not hold back in his praise of Nikola Jokic, suggesting the Denver Nuggets star might be the best player the NBA has ever seen. Coming from a longtime head coach and respected analyst, that kind of statement cuts through the usual noise of player comparisons and sparks a serious league-wide conversation.
Jokic’s candidacy in any “greatest ever” debate rests on a blend of skills the league has rarely, if ever, seen in a single package. At 7 feet, he functions as a primary playmaker, reading the floor like an elite point guard while anchoring the offense from the elbows, the post, and beyond the arc. His passing vision routinely warps defenses, turning simple actions into unsolvable puzzles as defenders are forced to choose between staying home on shooters or helping at the rim.
What separates Jokic in the modern context is how thoroughly his game translates to winning. He has led Denver to the NBA’s mountaintop and kept the Nuggets in the inner circle of contenders, all while serving as the system rather than just a star within it. Offenses are increasingly built around versatile creators, and Jokic is the fully realized version of that trend: a big who can score at all three levels, create for others, and dictate tempo.
Van Gundy’s comment also reflects a broader shift in how greatness is evaluated. Traditional benchmarks have long centered on athletic dominance and scoring volume. Jokic challenges that model. His game is rooted in timing, angles, touch, and anticipation. Advanced metrics routinely place him at or near the top of the league, reinforcing what the eye test suggests: when he is on the floor, his team almost always plays winning basketball.
Whether Jokic ultimately claims the unofficial title of “best ever” will depend on longevity, continued playoff success, and how future generations view his era. For now, the fact that a veteran coach can credibly raise the question shows just how far Jokic’s star has risen in the NBA’s historical hierarchy.
Jokic’s candidacy in any “greatest ever” debate rests on a blend of skills the league has rarely, if ever, seen in a single package. At 7 feet, he functions as a primary playmaker, reading the floor like an elite point guard while anchoring the offense from the elbows, the post, and beyond the arc. His passing vision routinely warps defenses, turning simple actions into unsolvable puzzles as defenders are forced to choose between staying home on shooters or helping at the rim.
What separates Jokic in the modern context is how thoroughly his game translates to winning. He has led Denver to the NBA’s mountaintop and kept the Nuggets in the inner circle of contenders, all while serving as the system rather than just a star within it. Offenses are increasingly built around versatile creators, and Jokic is the fully realized version of that trend: a big who can score at all three levels, create for others, and dictate tempo.
Van Gundy’s comment also reflects a broader shift in how greatness is evaluated. Traditional benchmarks have long centered on athletic dominance and scoring volume. Jokic challenges that model. His game is rooted in timing, angles, touch, and anticipation. Advanced metrics routinely place him at or near the top of the league, reinforcing what the eye test suggests: when he is on the floor, his team almost always plays winning basketball.
Whether Jokic ultimately claims the unofficial title of “best ever” will depend on longevity, continued playoff success, and how future generations view his era. For now, the fact that a veteran coach can credibly raise the question shows just how far Jokic’s star has risen in the NBA’s historical hierarchy.
