Nikola Jokic dominates ‘Best Player’ vote in historic landslide originally appeared on The Sporting News
When league insiders were asked to name the best player in the NBA right now, Nikola Jokic cleared the field. The Denver Nuggets’ big man claimed nearly every vote in a recent executives-and-analysts survey, underlining what’s felt across the sport: Jokic isn’t just among the elite; he’s the standard. A two-time MVP with a Finals pedigree, Jokic blends scoring, elite playmaking, and rebounding into a package few – if any- can match.
Advertisement
Last season’s box score backing that up read like a Swiss Army knife of production: elite points, dominant boards, and near-triple-double playmaking that forces opponents to scheme differently. The result of the poll wasn’t a knock on rising stars so much as a recognition of sustained supremacy. Even players who posted MVP-caliber numbers were treated as challengers to Jokic’s throne, not equals.
Why Nikola Jokic stands above the rest
The poll’s fallout leaves two clear narratives for challengers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic: accumulate elite counting stats, yes, but win the moments that rewrite narratives. Shai put up monster numbers last season and drew MVP attention, yet he was shut out of the “best player” vote; perception still favors the player who combines individual excellence with team reliability. Luka’s move to the Los Angeles Lakers flips his stage, giving him a bigger spotlight, but that alone won’t topple Nikola Jokic.
To bridge the gap, contenders must pair eye-popping regular-season production with deeper postseason proof and sustained team success. Jokic’s resume checks those boxes consistently, which is why even voters who admire Shai or Luka stop short of naming them the current apex player.
Advertisement
Jokic’s dominance won’t last forever. The league shifts fast, but for now, votes like this one confirm a simple truth: when measuring “best” in the NBA today, Jokic sets the bar, and everyone else is still chasing the benchmark he made.