May 9, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends on Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

ESPN Star Stephen A. Smith’s Bold Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Take

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 1:55 PM ET

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just had the best season of anyone in the NBA, and arguably one of the best guard seasons since Michael Jordan. Not only did he win MVP, despite it being a heavily debated race, but he also led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Finals and won Finals MVP as well. About to turn 27 years old, there's still plenty of prime left for the Thunder star.

However, Gilgeous-Alexander isn't the clear best player by many, as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic might've just had one of the best center seasons ever. Averaging a triple-double and taking the Thunder to seven games, ESPN star Stephen A. Smith didn't cave in during his latest Top 5 NBA players list.

The top 5 players in the NBA right now, according to Stephen A. Smith

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. LeBron James
5. Steph Curry

Thoughts?

(via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/6fzsZplrkF
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 25, 2025

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith ranked his Top 5 players in the NBA, starting with Steph Curry at five, LeBron James at four, Giannis Antetokounmpo at three, Gilgeous-Alexander at two, and Jokic at one.

While not giving Gilgeous-Alexander that nod at the top spot after his historic season is unexpected, there's definitely still a case to give Jokic the top spot. Coming off a season where he averaged a triple-double and was well in the race for the MVP before getting injured down the stretch, it's clear that Denver is a shell of itself without the three-time MVP on the court.

Nikola Jokic is the first player since Larry Bird to be top two in MVP voting for five consecutive years. pic.twitter.com/J0Tr70Mm5Q
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 21, 2025

However, as long as both players are playing at a high level, they will be debated for the title of best player in the NBA. With change already happening early in this NBA offseason, that new landscape won't alter the expectations of these two stars going into next season.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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