Nuggets' Nikola Jokic put in 'best player in the history of the NBA' conversation by former NBA finalist coach

Nuggets' Nikola Jokic put in 'best player in the history of the NBA' conversation by former NBA finalist coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's safe to say that there's never been a basketball player like Nikola Jokic.

He's so special that one former NBA coach thinks the Denver Nuggets' superstar center belongs in the GOAT conversation.

Yeah, that greatest of all time debate that usually includes Michael Jordan and LeBron James might have some company, says Stan Van Gundy.

"He might be the best player in the history of the NBA," Van Gundy said on a podcast appearance with Zach Lowe, who allowed that Jokic might at least be the best offensive player in league history.

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Those who like counting rings will immediately discount Jokic in this conversation, since he has "only" one NBA title.

But on paper otherwise, there's a case.

Jokic is in the midst of a season in which he's averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game as a 6-foot-11 center who also averages 1.3 steals per game in his career. This season, Jokic is shooting 62.6% from the floor, 43.4% from 3 and 85.3% from the foul line.

Van Gundy's point is about more than numbers, anyway.

He's approaching this age-old argument from the perspective of more than what can be put on a resume. He's talking about basketball ability.

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At most, there have been only a few players in NBA history who are better passers than Jokic.

Even without incredible vertical ability, Jokic is pretty much unstoppable when he decides he wants to score from near the basket.

He has sneaky range, and just the other night, he hit a halfcourt shot before a third-quarter buzzer like it was nothing.

Some will knock Jokic's defense, but he's actually not a bad team defender, and he finds his way to steals with his impressive basketball IQ.

Jokic is 30 and has a while to keep adding to his basketball legacy, too.

You likely won't find too many people who agree with Van Gundy now, or maybe ever.

But it's an intriguing way of looking at the argument, for sure.

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