To say that Nikola Jokic truly transformed what the role of a superstar big man is in today's NBA landscape would only scratch the surface of his talent. The Serbian center won three MVP awards in a span of five years, and many would even argue he could have won five out of five. He also led the Denver Nuggets to the first-ever championship in franchise history, which is an accomplishment in itself considering all the legends who tried to put the Nuggets on top of the Association's food chain.
However, what truly sets him apart from, well, almost anyone in history is his versatility. And current Nuggets head coach David Adelman went above and beyond to give The Joker his well-deserved flowers, stating that he is unique in every sense of that word.
"Uncomparable to any player that's ever played. He has completely changed what you can be in this sport. His ability to still play like a traditional big man, but then play like a point guard, and play like a catch and shoot player. The ball handling abilities, the overall intelligence, IQ, and just the feel and the competitiveness of all the great players that I've ever seen. It's just this complete package," Adelman said of his franchise superstar.
With the success he has had over the last couple of years, Nikola's name often appears in conversations about the greatest center of all time. And truthfully, the argument is there. Jokic's statistical dominance really does put him next to the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or Wilt Chamberlain. However, it is not all about numbers. Jokic's game is so multifaceted that it often feels like he plays all five offensive positions on any given possession.
From finishing around the rim to stretching beyond the three-point line, Jokic can score at will whenever he wants. But more often than not, he looks to his teammates for an even easier shot, to get them into rhythm and build confidence. That kind of playmaking genius from the center position is something we have never quite seen before, with all due respect to Arvydas Sabonis. And that is exactly where Adelman's point becomes undeniable.
The offense runs through him, and he forces the opposing teams to make decisions on the fly, without a simple plan to stop him. Take away his scoring, and he will rack up 15+ assists, and if you let him score, he can go for 40 without breaking a sweat.
Some of the knocks critics often bring up when discussing The Joker's all-time ranking are his perceived lack of defense and, from time to time, what they describe as a lack of visible "care" on the court. While the defensive criticism can somewhat be understood, considering he is not an athletic freak like some of the other names in those all-time conversations, he more than makes up for it with his size, positioning, and tremendous IQ.
As for the other narrative, Jokic has often said he views basketball as his job rather than an obsession like many of his peers. But make no mistake, he is a hard worker and a great leader.
Just ask Adelman. Over the years, Jokic has evolved from a quiet guy from across the globe into the driving force of the Nuggets. Sure, Adelman might be a bit subjective on the matter, but it is hard not to see the validity of these claims. Because, at the end of the day, Jokic truly is one of one.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
