"Might Be the Best Player in History": Analyst Goes Against the Grain With Nikola Jokic GOAT Statement

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has earned praise for his performance this season. The three-time MVP earned praise from former coach and analyst Stan Van Gundy, who made a GOAT statement about Jokic on Wednesday.

During an appearance on “The Zach Lowe Show” on Wednesday, Van Gundy called Jokic the best player in the history of the league.

"He might be the best player in the history of the NBA," Van Gundy said.

"Here's the thing. My son says this all the time... I understand the thought that you compare players to how well they did in the era they played in, but 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."

While Nikola Jokic has a lot to do to match the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant, he has shown MVP-like qualities this season. He is averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 11.1 assists. Additionally, he is shooting 62.6% from the floor, 43.4% from the 3-point line and 85.3% from the charity stripe.

Jokic, 30, will want to bring another title back to Denver to solidify his place among the GOATs. The Nuggets are currently No. 2 in the West with a 13-4 record. The Joker recorded a triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists as the Nuggets dispatched the Memphis Grizzlies 125-115 on the road on Monday.

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Kevin Durant praises Nikola Jokic

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant praised Nikola Jokic during Friday's episode of “The Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams.”

“I don’t know him well enough to speak on how he is,” Durant said about Jokic (13:34 onwards). “He seems like a really reserved and laid-back dude, like he’s got a soft tone. He doesn’t really speak loud at all.”

“I’ve seen the aggressive side of him, too, on the court,” Durant added. “So I just respect him. Again, I respect a lot about his approach. You can tell he watched, he was inspired a lot by American players, too.”

Jokic is in his 11th season in the league. He has risen from being a second-round draft pick to one of the best players in the league.