[West] 2026 Playoffs, First Round

[serbiangoat]

You know, now that I think about it, 2023 really saved Jokić's reputation: looking at his career playoff record, they'd be calling this man the Harden of centers, if not for that one ring.

Kind of but Jokic never had a big 3 like Harden had multiple times (Durrant /Westbrook/Ibaka)(Durrant/Irivng) and this is the first roster he's ever had where you look at it and say yeah he should win a championship with this team if he's a MVP level playoff performer even the season they won it no one really expected them to win the Nuggets never had an elite team and for the most part are not close to the most talented team.

Comparing to Harden is disrespectful cause other than these playoffs and against the Thunder last season he's always normally stepped up but his refusal to play defense is kind of shocking. Id say he's more comparable to Dirk/Pau/Giannis. This is the Nuggets last go imo as a "contender" barring some LeBron to Miami or Kd to GSW move.

 

[kingdivac]

Kind of but Jokic never had a big 3 like Harden had multiple times (Durrant /Westbrook/Ibaka)(Durrant/Irivng) and this is the first roster he's ever had where you look at it and say yeah he should win a championship with this team if he's a MVP level playoff performer even the season they won it no one really expected them to win the Nuggets never had an elite team and for the most part are not close to the most talented team.

Comparing to Harden is disrespectful cause other than these playoffs and against the Thunder last season he's always normally stepped up but his refusal to play defense is kind of shocking. Id say he's more comparable to Dirk/Pau/Giannis. This is the Nuggets last go imo as a "contender" barring some LeBron to Miami or Kd to GSW move.

The Thunder lost their championship thanks to Harden in 2011 or '12 or whatever it was. Harden's play 'fell off a cliff' vs the Heat.