Nikola Jokic remains the best in NBA: reality or fiction?
We open the debate to determine if the Serbian Nikola Jokic, of the Nuggets, is still the best NBA player.
In the last five seasons, Nikola Jokic has ended as the most valuable player three times and in which he did not arrive in the vote. That data is indicative that we have before our eyes the best player in the league, already leading to the conversation of the best big men in history. Who knows if in a few years we are talking about him as the best pivot of all time.
Is Jokic still the best NBA player at this time? Did Denver do enough to put elements that help you lift the Larry O’Brien trophy? Is a bad version of yours possible in 2025-26? Our experts answer those questions.
1. Reality or fiction. Nikola Jokic is still the best NBA player.
Reality: With much respect for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the historical season of MVP he had, Nikola Jokic still is undoubtedly the best NBA player. The three times MVP would easily have taken the garlardón once more of not being for the excellent performance that SGA had in front of the eventual champions. Jokic comes from perhaps his best season, which says a lot, being just the third player in history to average a triple-double.
The Nuggets pivot had its best figures in points per game (29.6), assists (10.2) and three -point percentage (41%), making it clear that it is not only a modern force, but a great of all time with a rising place in the history of the best centers and players.
Just as it happened to Michael and LeBron, when you are the best active player, you will not always take the maximum individual prize (Jokic finished second in the vote twice) but do not lose the designation of being the best. That is not one that is shared, it takes over. And now the label belongs to Jokic.
Fiction: In the previous season, the Serbian finally gave signs of fatigue when loading with the nuggets throughout the campaign for the lack of help, which caused that in the playoffs it was not so dominant, he averaged three points less (29.6 to 26.2) and two less assists (10.2 to 8) with respect to the regular phase and this was key in the elimination of Denver against Tunter.
Jokic fell in postseason just at the player with whom he lost the prize to the most valuable of the League, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander And that is the other reason why the ‘Joker’ is no longer the best of the NBA, because of the great talent in the competition, with the Canadian now as a champion, but also the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, among others, who seem to be at their height. –Juan Pablo Sánchez
2. A Nikola Jokic number on the way to the season.
18. The triple doubles that Jokic is missing to overcome Oscar Robertson and place the second position of all time of that line. The Serbian produced 34, the maximum of his career, last season, to reach 164, including the first 30-20-20 in history. The leader of all time is Russell Westbrookwho ceased to be a machine to produce that combined statistics and therefore, its 203 brand is also in danger of falling with a good season of the Joker.
That or not to Westbrook will depend on how much Denver needs those numbers. Last season, the Nuggets needed more than Jokic had a triple double to have opportunities to win. With more help and proper replacement in their position, they may not need so much a triple dozen night after night.
By the way, the last five years have made Jokic the king of advanced statistics. According to basketball-reference.com to the new season as the historical leader in efficiency index (per, 28.5), Win Shares for every 48 minutes (26.0), Box Plus/Minus (10.3) and Box Plus/offensive minus (7.3). –Hiram Martínez
3. The best version of Nikola Jokic in 2025-26 will be …
… that of the positive leader of the Nuggets. The talent of Jokic It is unique. From a giant body, of robust and heavy pivot, passes arise with the ductility of a base and sudden shots such as those of the most agile escort. The speed that Serbio is missing to run, has plenty to think: see the plays long before they occur. Those are just some of the virtues of the great star of Denver Nuggets. He always had them, but they became more visible when he managed to guide his teammates to the conquest of the Larry O’Brien trophy in the 2022-2023 season. Before and after the ring, Jokic had dream seasons: it was three times MVP and twice was second in the vote.
The only notorious defect of the Serbian appears when his strong character makes him star in meaningless disputes against referees and rivals. When it happens, it costs you very expensive. While when he manages to control, he benefits from him and therefore to the team. If Jokic leads positively, nuggets can dream again with glory. –Pablo Cormick
4. The worst version of Nikola Jokic in 2025-26 will be …
The one that stops him for an injury. At 30, there is no way to imagine a bad version of Nikola Jokic, even if it would arrive third or fourth in the vote of the most valuable and not first or second player as in the case of the last five seasons. The Serbian continues in the ascending curve of the Peak of his career and does not have to score 26 points and add 12 rebounds and almost 10 assists every night to keep his team as a perennial title candidate.
Therefore, I think that the only thing I could stop at this time is an injury. If it remains healthy, its worst version will suffice to continue in the MVP discussion. – Hiram Martínez
