The Portland Trail Blazers were tasked with facing the defending champion Denver Nuggets twice in three nights this week. Both games, played in Denver, resulted in victories for Nikola Jokic and company, and ahead of the first matchup, Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups had nothing but high praise for his two-time MVP opponent.

While Jokic has received no shortage of praise for his versatile skillset, scoring and impressive playmaking ability, Billups took one of the most unique routes seen in recent memory while praising the 28-year-old big man.

“He’s the best passer I’ve ever seen. Excluding no position,” Billups told Adam Mares of DNVR Sports.

It’s easy to find something to commend Jokic on given his brilliance, but it’s significant that Billups, who spent 17 seasons in the NBA, explicitly mentioned his passing abilities. Along with many other outstanding passers, he played on the same floor as Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, and Gary Payton.

Billups’ remarks are the biggest compliment he could give Jokic just based on their names. In the first of the two games, the Nuggets star had twelve assists; on Sunday night, he added seven more in the second game.