RealGM

Who'll have the bigger impact this Playoff Series?


Nikola Jokic

He had his way during the 1st 2rds and now goes up against LA who have a top ranked defense. But I mean c'mon, it's Joker.


Anthony Davis

Wildly inconsistent and though it's arguable LeBron is more important but when AD plays HE really plays.

The best player in the world Jokic

Ill go with the best player in the game who also is probably the most consistent player in the game as well.

AD isnt as good and is far more inconsistent.

Is this a serious question? Lol

How is this even remotely debatable? Nikola Jokic is worlds better than Anthony Davis. There's a real question if AD is even a top 5 big man in the NBA right now.

facothomas22 wrote:How is this even remotely debatable? Nikola Jokic is worlds better than Anthony Davis. There's a real question if AD is even a top 5 big man in the NBA right now.

Tor_Raps wrote:Is this a serious question? Lol

facothomas22 wrote:How is this even remotely debatable? Nikola Jokic is worlds better than Anthony Davis. There's a real question if AD is even a top 5 big man in the NBA right now.

I get the hesitation to debate however asking because this is based off of what we've seen and where we are in the Playoffs.

This is for a chance to make it to the Finals and Joker is now going up against a much much better defensive scheme than 1 on 1 vs Ayton or KAT and Rudy.

And AD is going up against a different less physical scheme as well in Jokic etc than he was when facing JJJ and Draymond Looney who all specialize in hacking imo.

facothomas22 wrote:How is this even remotely debatable? Nikola Jokic is worlds better than Anthony Davis.

That wasn't the question man.

It was who will have the bigger impact in this upcoming series. I'd argue it's a wash in this series with AD's responsibility on both ends of the floor and Jokic's overall brilliance.

If AD doesn't have a similar impact to Jokic, this will be a short series. AD was dominant in 2020, albeit with a over-taxed/tired Nuggets squad that had just completed 2x 3-1 turnarounds in the prior series.

facothomas22 wrote:There's a real question if AD is even a top 5 big man in the NBA right now.

Are you even watching the playoffs?

He is easily been the second best big man behind Jokic this playoff run.

WillyJakkz wrote:

Tor_Raps wrote:Is this a serious question? Lol

facothomas22 wrote:How is this even remotely debatable? Nikola Jokic is worlds better than Anthony Davis. There's a real question if AD is even a top 5 big man in the NBA right now.

I get the hesitation to debate however asking because this is based off of what we've seen and where we are in the Playoffs.

This is for a chance to make it to the Finals and Joker is now going up against a much much better defensive scheme than 1 on 1 vs Ayton or KAT and Rudy.

And AD is going up against a different less physical scheme as well in Jokic etc than he was when facing JJJ and Draymond Looney who all specialize in hacking imo.

Is AD that much better of a 1 on 1 defender than Rudy when it comes to defending Jokic? I get that AD is the more versatile defender, but when talking about defending another 5 1 on 1, that is kind of Rudy's specialty and that is what he is elite at.

People acting like AD hasn't had a title run before, lol

An Unbiased Fan wrote:People acting like AD hasn't had a title run before, lol

That was like 3 years ago when this happened? AD has been a completely different player since then.

AD is by far and away the best/most important player in Lakers. They simply cant play defense without him.

The way Lakers defend Jokic will really set the tone for the series. I mean, he's unguardable, but they will have to limit his effect on other players by committee.

Duke4life831 wrote:

WillyJakkz wrote:

Tor_Raps wrote:Is this a serious question? Lol

facothomas22 wrote:How is this even remotely debatable? Nikola Jokic is worlds better than Anthony Davis. There's a real question if AD is even a top 5 big man in the NBA right now.

I get the hesitation to debate however asking because this is based off of what we've seen and where we are in the Playoffs.

This is for a chance to make it to the Finals and Joker is now going up against a much much better defensive scheme than 1 on 1 vs Ayton or KAT and Rudy.

And AD is going up against a different less physical scheme as well in Jokic etc than he was when facing JJJ and Draymond Looney who all specialize in hacking imo.

Is AD that much better of a 1 on 1 defender than Rudy when it comes to defending Jokic? I get that AD is the more versatile defender, but when talking about defending another 5 1 on 1, that is kind of Rudy's specialty and that is what he is elite at.

AD is not as slow footed as Rudy and during the PO's just as lethal a shotblocker as Gobert.

Also I'd think it's not just gonna be AD solo on Jokic like those other coaches for some reason decided to do.

It'll be a team effort.

Homer38 wrote:

facothomas22 wrote:How is this even remotely debatable? Nikola Jokic is worlds better than Anthony Davis. There's a real question if AD is even a top 5 big man in the NBA right now.

You'd think this posters idiocy towards AD would stop sooner or later... Here are some other AD gems by Mr. Thomas:

Is Davis even a top 5 Center in the NBA? Even excluding the injury history that Davis has, I easily take Sabonis and Bam Adebayo over him because they're actually good playmakers and make their teammates better.

The Lakers simply have nothing to slow down the Warriors 3pt shooting and their 3pt shooting has been awful themselves. Anthony Davis looks like he's finished.

Davis is basically a older version Bam Adebayo.

So what team is talking themselves into AD this summer only for it to destroy the franchise? No one. That would be answer.

Anthony Davis at this point is too injury prone for a team to give up anything of positive value for.

More like most of the team is terrible, so Anthony Davis is putting up great numbers because the team has no one else to turn to. Remember when Kevin Love put up great numbers with the Timberwolves?

Rudy Gobert has far higher trade value than Anthony Davis and the amount of 1st round picks that Lakers would have to give up in order to go from AD to Gobert would be way more than what they would be able to afford.

In any Anthony Davis trade, likely any GM that might be interested in getting him, they will be looking to get him free of charge, so I can't see any team that's willing to give up 1st rounds picks or players of positive value to ...

I have the Hawks as no longer being interested in Anthony Davis at all. They have no bad contracts to trade and Anthony Davis isn't worth any of the players that Hawks have at this point.

Anthony Davis has degraded into a role player.

s Anthony Davis even worth De' Andre Ayton straight up at this point? I don't think so.

Anthony Davis looks like a starting caliber player and nothing more

facothomas22 wrote:How is this even remotely debatable? Nikola Jokic is worlds better than Anthony Davis. There's a real question if AD is even a top 5 big man in the NBA right now.

You can't tell me there are 5 centers better than AD right now. I would struggle to come up with 3.
He's been the most impactful defensive player in the playoffs.

Thing is, Jokic HAS to win by a landslide or the nuggets wont win the game. If their stats are even close, Lakers win.

Duke4life831 wrote:Is AD that much better of a 1 on 1 defender than Rudy when it comes to defending Jokic? I get that AD is the more versatile defender, but when talking about defending another 5 1 on 1, that is kind of Rudy's specialty and that is what he is elite at.

Considering the run the Jokic is on and how unstoppable he has been. I am curious to see how who Ham designates as the primary defender against him. A big part of AD's defensive brilliance against the Dubs was his ability to play off ball and just roam.

Even with how good AD is on the defensive end of the floor, he just isn't in Jokic's weight class and I could see him getting man handled or into foul trouble early.

WillyJakkz wrote:

Duke4life831 wrote:

WillyJakkz wrote:

I get the hesitation to debate however asking because this is based off of what we've seen and where we are in the Playoffs.

This is for a chance to make it to the Finals and Joker is now going up against a much much better defensive scheme than 1 on 1 vs Ayton or KAT and Rudy.

And AD is going up against a different less physical scheme as well in Jokic etc than he was when facing JJJ and Draymond Looney who all specialize in hacking imo.

Is AD that much better of a 1 on 1 defender than Rudy when it comes to defending Jokic? I get that AD is the more versatile defender, but when talking about defending another 5 1 on 1, that is kind of Rudy's specialty and that is what he is elite at.

AD is not as slow footed as Rudy and during the PO's just as lethal a shotblocker as Gobert.

Also I'd think it's not just gonna be AD solo on Jokic like those other coaches for some reason decided to do.

It'll be a team effort.

But its not like Jokic was beating Rudy off the dribble with his first step. I totally agree that AD is the far more versatile defender. He can hold his own on switches and hold his own out on the perimeter against wings and guards far better than Rudy. But that part doesnt really effect Jokic. Jokic strengths go against Rudy's strengths.

And there is a reason why teams have been trying to defend Jokic 1 on 1. Its because Denver has too much reliable shooting around him and his passing is way too good. If you come and help on Jokic, youre going to be leaving guys like Murray, KCP, MPJ wide open and that isnt something you want to do too often.

facothomas22 wrote:

An Unbiased Fan wrote:People acting like AD hasn't had a title run before, lol

That was like 3 years ago when this happened? AD has been a completely different player since then.

no he hasn't, he's played at an MVP caliber level this season when he was healthy
and that continues into the posteason

AD is carrying this Lakers team, he's fragile AF but i'd take him over the fake MVP anyday of the week

phanman wrote:

Duke4life831 wrote:Is AD that much better of a 1 on 1 defender than Rudy when it comes to defending Jokic? I get that AD is the more versatile defender, but when talking about defending another 5 1 on 1, that is kind of Rudy's specialty and that is what he is elite at.

Considering the run the Jokic is on and how unstoppable he has been. I am curious to see how who Ham designates as the primary defender against him. A big part of AD's defensive brilliance against the Dubs was his ability to play off ball and just roam.

Even with how good AD is on the defensive end of the floor, he just isn't in Jokic's weight class and I could see him getting man handled or into foul trouble early.

They should have Lebron guard Jokic. He's got the size to do it, and the refs aren't going to call a bunch of fouls on Lebron and take him out of the games.