Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
When the Portland Trail Blazers face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, one name will be circled on Portland’s white board: Nikola Jokic. The 6’11 center has averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists this season, appearing in all 72 games for the Nuggets. The masterful performance has left him heir apparent to the NBA MVP crown.
Jokic presents a host of problems for any opponent. How the Blazers solve, or at least mitigate, them will determine whether they have a clear path towards victory in this series or whether they’re setting sail with a huge hole in the side of the ship, bailing water to avoid sinking entirely.