Over the last few NBA seasons, one of the most heated and frequent debates around the league has been regarding who deserves MVP — Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid.
Jokic has been magnificent all postseason. However, in the Nuggets’ Game 4 loss to the Phoenix Suns, he took it to another level. During that display, he scored 53 points and dished out 11 assists while shooting 20-30 from the floor, 2-4 from deep, and 11-13 on free throws.
On TNT’s “Inside The NBA” show, Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal offered his pick for who is the best center in the league: Jokic.
“Nikola Jokic is the best center in the game. You heard it from me,” O’Neal said.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
With Joel Embiid being the NBA’s leading scorer over the previous two seasons, one of the common criticisms about Jokic is that he can’t take over a game as a scorer like Embiid. Jokic is proving that to be a laughable concept with an average of 35.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 10.0 assists in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Instead, Jokic continues to prove that he provides the Nuggets with the necessary style of impact to achieve a victory. He will do so if the situation calls for him to attack the defense. His passing makes him more concerned about sending double teams at times, contrary to the style of defense that Embiid’s approach has commanded.
An exchange between O’Neal and Jokic after the Nuggets’ Game 5 victory over the Suns encapsulated the Serbian superstar’s team-first mentality.
O’Neal asked: “Joker, you’ve been having your way with the Phoenix bigs. So the next game do you go in offensive-minded and say, ‘Guys, follow me, I’m going for 40-45 points?”
Jokic responded: “Yeah, I don’t play like that, I just let’s see what the game brings me.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
One element of the debate that seems to be further intensifying is how both impacts translate to the postseason. Jokic has already led his team to a Conference Finals appearance, but both superstars are on the verge of reaching that point, with their respective teams holding a 3-2 series lead.
There is a decent chance the NBA could end up seeing both Embiid and Jokic squaring off in the NBA Finals if they each hang on to get through their current series.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
With the current likely opponents being the Los Angeles Lakers for the Nuggets and the Miami Heat for the Sixers, a genuinely favorable outlook exists for it to transpire.
Grant Afseth is an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network and a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook
