Nikola Jokić’s place in basketball history has sparked a new wave of conversation, and a recent remark from a former NBA head coach pushed that debate into unexpected territory.
With numbers from the 2020s highlighting his dominance and fresh commentary reopening long-standing arguments, the discussion now carries a tone that could redefine how this era is remembered.
Stan Van Gundy’s Claim Framed by Jokić’s Dominance in the 2020s
Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy stunned listeners when he responded to a claim shared by radio host Zach Bye. Bye recalled hearing at Summer League that “Nik Jokic might be the best offensive player in the history of the NBA.”
Van Gundy went even further, saying, “Well, he might be the best player in the history of the NBA.” He then widened the lens, noting a larger trend across sports: “The evolution of athletes is we can probably say that the best 20 basketball players in history have probably played in the last 20 years, Zach.”
“He might be the best player in the history of the NBA.”
– Stan Van Gundy on Nikola Jokic
(h/t @DNVR_Nuggets )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 26, 2025
These remarks underscored how rapidly Jokić’s resume has grown and how the modern game may tilt historical comparisons in his favor.
That conversation arrived just one week after Matt John of PFSN published an article placing Jokić at the center of the 2020s.
John emphasized the Nuggets star’s extraordinary statistical reach since the decade began, noting that Jokić leads all NBA players in four of the five major statistical categories- points, assists, rebounds, and steals, since the start of the new decade. Myles Turner stands as the only player ahead of him in blocks, a distinction that further highlights Jokić’s all-around control of the era.
John also contextualized this dominance by comparing it with other all-time greats. Michael Jordan did not lead the 1990s across these major categories, partially due to his mid-decade retirement.
LeBron James led only two categories during the 2010s. Kareem Abdul Jabbar came closest to Jokić’s statistical sweep when he led three categories in the 1970s. John noted that Jokić’s edge over those legends strengthens the early statistical foundation for any future discussion of the greatest-ever.
The PFSN piece credited Jokić as already the greatest Denver Nuggets player and the standout star of the current decade. It argued that if Denver secures more titles with him as their anchor, the historical debate will shift even more.
John also noted the contextual challenges in Jokić’s postseason results, pointing out that injuries and strong opposing rosters have shaped how far his teams have gone.
When viewed together, Van Gundy’s bold claim and the statistical case laid out last week outline a narrative that is still unfolding. Jokić, drafted 41st overall 11 years ago, has already surpassed expectations that once seemed unimaginable.
Whether he ultimately claims the title of most incredible ever remains undecided, but the conversation has undeniably entered a new stage thanks to both commentary and data
