{"id":274460,"date":"2025-04-19T03:36:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T03:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/19\/james-harden-gets-candid-about-nikola-jokics-burgeoning-reputation-as-the-best-player-in-the-world\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:08:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:08:48","slug":"james-harden-gets-candid-about-nikola-jokics-burgeoning-reputation-as-the-best-player-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/19\/james-harden-gets-candid-about-nikola-jokics-burgeoning-reputation-as-the-best-player-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"James Harden gets candid about Nikola Jokic&#8217;s burgeoning reputation as the best player in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content\" data-postid=\"4881443\" data-slug-id=\"2480807\">\n<div class=\"vidazoo-player-container\">\n<span class=\"vidazoo-close-btn  hidden \"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/cmc-predictor\/v2\/cross-icon.png?w=40\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"close\"\/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/basketball\/james-harden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">James Harden<\/a> and Nikola Jokic will headline the first-round series between the LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets. The two teams finished the regular season with an identical 50-32 record, but the Nuggets own home-court advantage. Denver\u2019s better conference record (32-20) gave them the edge in the tiebreaker against LA (29-23).<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of Game 1 on Saturday, Harden was asked if he agrees with the idea that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/basketball\/nikola-jokic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Jokic<\/a> is the best in the world. The former MVP responded:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cYeah. Yeah.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><template id=\"bets-today-poll\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"preview-card-holder bets-today-poll\">\n<p><span class=\"date\"\/> \u2022 <span class=\"time\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"march-madness-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/march-madness-logo.png\" height=\"42\" width=\"99\" alt=\"march madness logo\"\/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cObviously, Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], who we think deserves MVP just because of their record and what he\u2019s been able to do scoring-wise. But you talking about overall player and how impactful he is in the game. Yeah, of course.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><template id=\"also-read-articles-template\"><\/p>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/basketball\/los-angeles-clippers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Clippers<\/a> and the Nuggets met four times this season. James Harden and Co. opened the season with two wins against Nikola Jokic\u2019s team before the Nuggets evened the head-to-head record.<\/p>\n<p>Denver has home-court advantage, but LA has arguably been the best team in the NBA late in the season. Harden gave the key to winning the series:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cOur defense has to be on point. Obviously, you know we\u2019re dealing with the Joker. He\u2019s the engine to the entire team.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Per Kirk Goldsberry, the LA Clippers ranked fourth in offensive rating and sixth in defensive rating after the trade deadline. LA\u2019s impressive defense will be tested even if Denver\u2019s offense stuttered over the last two months. James Harden could lead the Clippers to the next round if they can make life difficult for Nikola Jokic.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>James Harden will play against Nikola Jokic for the first time in the playoffs<\/h2>\n<p>James Harden owns a winning record against Nikola Jokic in the regular season (16-9). On Saturday, the two will square off for the first time in the playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>Limiting Harden is the key to beating the Clippers. The Beard, who handles playmaking duties, is the key to the Ty Lue-coached offense. LA will have a tough series if Denver\u2019s defense can consistently force Harden into errors or tough shots.<\/p>\n<p>What Jokic means to the Nuggets is undeniable. The all-around brilliance of The Joker, who finished the season averaging a triple-double, has been on full display throughout the season. The Clippers have a chance if Jokic can\u2019t have his usual impact on the game.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-post-rating-widget\">\n<p><template id=\"post-rating-feedback-modal-template\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-feedback-box\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-content\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-data\">\n<p>Why did you not like this content?<\/p>\n<p><textarea id=\"dislike-feedback-text\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Please type your feedback...\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<button class=\"close\">Cancel<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"submit\">Submit<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-widget-parent hidden\">\n<div class=\"rating-parent-container\">\n<div class=\"rating-content-holder\">\n<p>Was this article helpful?<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-action-container\">\n<div class=\"like-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-like-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"like\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"like selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dislike-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-dislike-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"dislike\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-dis-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"avatar selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThank You for feedback\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-author-info-parent\">\n<span class=\"about-the-author\">About the author<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"author-info-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-pic-holder\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"author-pic\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg width=\" height=\"100\"\/><rect width=\"100\" height=\"100\" style=\"fill:rgb(128, 128, 128);\"\/>&#8221; data-lazy=&#8221;https:\/\/keedag.sportskeeda.com\/user-pic\/574869-1717241309-200.jpg?w=200&#8243;<br \/>\nalt=&#8221;Michael Macasero&#8221; height=&#8221;72&#8243; width=&#8221;72&#8243;&gt;\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-bio-detail-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p class=\"author-bio\" id=\"author-bio-text\">\nMichael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.<\/p>\n<p>Michael&#8217;s background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.<\/p>\n<p>Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes\u00a0Popovich&#8217;s genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael&#8217;s reporting philosophy and he\u00a0believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from work, Michael&#8217;s children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.\n<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"author-know-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/author\/mikailmail051521-1\" aria-label=\"Author know more\">Know More<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tag-cloud\">\n<div class=\"tags-text\">\n<div class=\"scrollable-content-holder  article-padding\">\n<p class=\"article-p  \">Quick Links<\/p>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerLeft\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Left \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-left.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button><\/p>\n<nav id=\"pnProductNav\" class=\"pn-ProductNav\">\n<\/nav>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerRight\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Right \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-right.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<p>More from Sportskeeda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span class=\"publisher-name\">Edited by Michael Macasero<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/basketball\/news-james-harden-gets-candid-nikola-jokic-s-burgeoning-reputation-best-player-world\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] James Harden and Nikola Jokic will headline the first-round series between the LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets. 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