During the 2022-23 NBA season, the debate raged around Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid. The two centers finished first and second in MVP voting, with Embiid winning the award for the first time in his career.
The 76ers lost in the second round of the playoffs that year, while Jokic gave the Nuggets their first championship in franchise history, winning the Finals MVP award. That ended the Jokic vs. Embiid debate for most, but some discussions about the two centers still linger.
In a recent interview with Eurohoops (Thanks to HoopsHype), three-time NBA champion Sam Cassell teased a hypothetical Jokic vs. Hakeem Olajuwon battle, saying that since Embiid is giving Jokic problems, the three-time MVP wouldn’t be able to contain Olajuwon.
“Hakeem is a beast in every sense of the word on the court,” Cassell said. “He’s in the top 10 in every NBA category: steals, rebounds, points. I think Jokić would score more points, but Hakeem would win because he would constantly pressure him. Jokić wouldn’t be able to do damage in the post; it just wouldn’t happen.”
Cassell then added: “On the other end of the court, Jokić wouldn’t have a chance. Joel Embiid gives him problems, and he wouldn’t have a chance against Hakeem. I think Hakeem would have an answer for anything Jokić could try defensively.”
Sam Cassell: “Jokic wouldn’t stand a chance against Hakeem” #NBAhttps://t.co/E0TJmLMP1r
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 17, 2024
In eight games against Jokic, Embiid averaged 27.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Jokic averaged 22.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists in those games. The 76ers won six of those eight games, but only two of them came in Denver.
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