Game 7 debate: Has Nuggets star Nikola Jokic been the MVP over Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers?

Schubert: If there was one generally agreed upon truth heading into the conference semifinal round of the NBA playoffs, it was this: Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard is the best postseason player in the league. Fast forward nearly two weeks, and Kawhi’s Clippers are on the verge of a stunning collapse after allowing Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets to come back from 3-1 down and force a Game 7. The hub of that comeback? Big Honey, of course. The man Michael Porter Jr. called “the best player in the world” after Game 6. So what say you, Mr. Singer: Is Jokic the MVP of this series opposite Kawhi?

Singer: He has been. Here’s why. There are times during this series where Leonard was been unstoppable, a perfect mix of cadence, strength, confidence and competitiveness. But in the second halves of Game 5 and Game 6, he was a combined 9-of-24 from the field. That’s not good enough when your team is in the midst of squandering giant, double-digit leads. Just twice this series he’s shot better than 50% from the field. In the first round against Dallas, he shot 54% for the series. Jokic, on the other hand, has been a bigger matchup nightmare than either Leonard or Paul George for the Clippers. His 3-point shooting (41% for the series) has made the difference in Denver’s offensive approach, and his ruthless efficiency has exposed Los Angeles’ biggest weakness. In their last five games — after playing Game 1 on a day’s rest after going seven vs. Utah — Jokic is averaging 28 points on 54% shooting, 13.8 rebounds and six assists.

Schubert: Perhaps the most surprising development of this seven-game series has been how Jokic and the Nuggets have rendered the last two Sixth Men of the Year (Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell) afterthoughts. Or, in the case of Harrell, virtually unplayable. Jokic has absolutely owned Harrell whenever they’ve been on the floor together in this series, with Harrell a minus-9 in Game 5 and minus-19 in Game 6 as Big Honey gave him the business in many of those minutes. Williams, on the other hand, just can’t seem to find his shot (nor can the Clippers’ other complementary shooters). Could it be that the Nuggets’ perimeter defenders learned something after getting torched by the Jazz early on in the first round?

Singer: I’ll submit this: Both of Los Angeles’ key reserves left the bubble at different points, and so there’s a chemistry/continuity question within their roles. But for Harrell, a notorious bruiser, there must be nothing more frustrating than dealing with Jokic, whose timing and tricks are so unorthodox. And even if Harrell did learn to anticipate Jokic a bit better, he’s still five inches shorter than him and can do nothing when his 3-pointers kiss the sky. Williams has looked off all series. Credit Torrey Craig. Denver’s relentless bully has rendered him ineffective off the bench.

Schubert: OK, so here’s the big question everyone wants answered: Can the Nuggets make NBA history and come back from a second consecutive 3-1 deficit? And if so, will it be because of Jokic? Who else has to step up to put the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals for the first time in 11 years? My money is on Jamal Murray. It seems like whenever he’s on, the Nuggets are too. Could be a big ask against Kawhi, Paul George and the Clippers. Then again, methinks the Nuggets are in Patrick Beverley’s head.

Singer: Anyone who thinks the Nuggets are fazed by star power, title aspirations, Los Angeles or The Claw, hasn’t been watching Denver’s brand of indifference. These Nuggets operate at their own temperature and are unbothered — albeit, maybe fueled — by outside noise. If the Nuggets are going to stun the Clippers, it’s gotta be on their non-Jokic players, beginning with Murray. It’s a testament to how good Jokic has been in past Game 7s that we just assume he’s going to post jarring numbers again. In their three wins, they’ve shot 42% from 3-point range. In the losses, that’s just below 30%. If Murray, Gary Harris and Michael Porter Jr. can hit their 3s, I like Denver’s chances.