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Looking Ahead To The Golden State Warriors’ First Round Playoff Matchup

By Ti Windisch

Feb 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) with the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 132-110. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) with the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 132-110. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball in on Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 125-117. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball in on Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 125-117. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Denver Could Be Dangerous

It looks at the moment like the Portland Trail Blazers will hold onto the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but that’s far from a final result, especially with Jusuf Nurkic’s recent injury. If the Denver Nuggets do stage a late-season comeback and snatch away the last playoff spot out West, they could make the Warriors’ lives difficult.

Denver’s best player is Nikola Jokic, without question. Jokic is a wizard with the basketball, and although he’s no Russell Westbrook, he’s posted six triple-doubles this season.

Jokic averages 16.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from three-point territory. Jokic’s passing is his signature trait, but his combination of skills is what makes him difficult to handle.

Jokic shoots 62.7 percent from two-point range, and he’s really hard to handle even for good defenders in the post. The Warriors don’t have any traditional center who can handle his big body down low.

If Golden State sends help to prevent Jokic from destroying Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee in the post, Jokic is more than a good enough passer to find whichever Nugget is left open. It’s going to be tough for the Warriors to handle him and account for shooters like Gary Harris, Jameer Nelson and Danilo Gallinari.

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