NBA Legend Reveals Why Nikola Jokic is Better Than Joel Embiid

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has an ability that Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has not shown

Joey Linn | Aug 20, 2023

NBA Legend Reveals Why Nikola Jokic is Better Than Joel Embiid /

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In an episode of KG Certified, NBA legend Tracy McGrady sat down with Kevin Garnett to discuss several different topics, including the dominance of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. With so much discussion about Jokic losing the MVP award to Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, McGrady discussed what separates the two players.

After Garnett asked if Embiid can do everything Jokic can do, McGrady said, "I don't think he has the endurance of doing that for 82 games... [Jokic] is the best player in the league. He's the best player in the league. What can't he do?"

Durability has been a major issue for Embiid during his NBA career, and it's also an area that Jokic thrives in. Since Embiid made his NBA debut in 2016, he has played just 394 regular season games, while Jokic has played 516 in that same time span. The 69 regular season games Jokic played last season was the fewest he'd ever played in a season, which is remarkable.

When it comes to the Jokic vs. Embiid conversation, durability is what McGrady brought up, but it's only one layer of the discussion. Jokic has now proven the ability to dominate the postseason in a way Embiid has yet to do. If there were people placing Embiid over Jokic at the end of last regular season, Jokic silenced all of that noise with his historic playoff run.

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Published Aug 20, 2023

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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