The Jokić-Davis Rivalry is too Underrated

Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid have been linked due to close MVP finishes in the last three years. During those MVP races, there have been fun moments like Embiid’s 47 point performance or Jokić’s fall away game winner. Yet, the fact this seems to be the marquee matchup and rivalry does not really make sense, given Jokić and Embiid never playing each other in meaningful games.

On the other hand, Jokić’s rivalry with Anthony Davis feels underrated. The pair have faced off against each other in two Western Conference Finals. Further, each player has hit an iconic shot against the other in their respective series: [Davis’s game 2 game winner](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eJOkrA3VB7c&pp=ygUfYW50aG9ueSBkYXZpcyBnYW1lIHdpbm5lciBrb2JlIA%3D%3D) and [Jokić’s game 1 third quarter buzzer beater](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5dsndbhjG-0&pp=ygUaam9raWMgMyBwb2ludGVyIG92ZXIgZGF2aXM%3D).

Beyond moments and games, there’s also a stylistic rivalry. Davis is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, if not the best. While Jokić is regarded as one of the best offensive players of his generation, if not the best. Despite Davis splitting time at power forward, the two regularly matchup against each other in games. Davis is an athletic, lurking rim protector who can switch 1-5, the antithesis of Jokić, a generational playmaker with shot making ability on all three levels and the best post scorer in basketball right now. Both are intellectual savants at their respective ends of the court.

There is a real argument that Davis was the best big man between 2014 and 2019, while there is a real argument that Jokić has been the best big man since 2020. (Both depending on how one ranks/views Giannis) Both have had their respective primes and peaks overlap.

The biggest reason for this rivalry not getting more attention, in my mind, is Davis’s injuries taking him out of any real season award consideration. Without such consideration, media outlets seem not to give this rivalry any real consideration. However, even considering hype, there feels like more hype in a score-settling third Nuggets-Lakers playoff matchup than a Nuggets-76ers final.

Even with Davis not being as present in the award races, here are the accolades:
– Davis: 8x All-Star, 3x Block Champ, 4x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, NBA Champion.
– Jokić: 5x All-Star, 2x MVP, 5x All-NBA, WCF MVP, Finals MVP, NBA Champion.

Maybe I just prefer actually getting to watch Davis and Jokić go head to head instead of viewing the Embiid and Jokić rivalry through endless fan/pundit debate and discussion. For a long time, Jokić struggled against Davis and the other Laker bigs. This year, Jokić toasted anything Davis threw at him. Stats bear that out to a degree, but it is nice to have that journey unfold in actual game play rather than exclusively in nba discourse.

What do you guys think? Is there a better Jokić rivalry out there? Does Embiid make the most sense as Jokić’s primary rival?

by Kenny-du-Soleil