Isaiah Hartenstein, the key center for the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, shared his thoughts on the toughest NBA defenders he has faced during a recent conversation with Gilbert Arenas on the Gil’s Arena podcast. Highlighting two players who have both earned MVP titles, Hartenstein detailed why Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić stand out as his most difficult matchups.
Hartenstein’s journey in the league has been marked by steady growth, particularly under the guidance of coach Tom Thibodeau while with the New York Knicks. There, he developed as a dominant force on the offensive glass and a reliable rim protector. His partnership with Jalen Brunson in pick-and-roll situations elevated his game further before he transitioned to the Thunder.
Joining OKC on a lucrative three-year, $87 million contract, Hartenstein played a critical role in the team’s championship run in his first season. He averaged a double-double with 11.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, shooting an efficient 58 percent from the field, underscoring his advancement with the world champions.
Breaking Down the Toughest Centers: Why Embiid and Jokić Present Unique Defensive Challenges
On Gil’s Arena, when Hartenstein was asked about his hardest NBA defenders to contain, he immediately mentioned Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets’ three-time MVP renowned for his versatile triple-double performances. Jokić’s exceptional passing ability makes him a nightmare for opponents trying to apply team defense.
Hartenstein also named Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers, who won the MVP for the 2022-23 season by averaging 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Embiid’s one-on-one dominance and physicality make him nearly unstoppable when in good health, though his fitness has become a topic of concern.
Explaining their distinct defensive challenges, Hartenstein noted,
“So, it’s probably between Joel and Jokić, but just like they’re kind of different in those aspects,”
before adding,
“Joel is kind of more into straight ones, and Jokić is like you can’t really play team defense on him, because he can pass so well. So, I think it’s two different guys, but at the end of the day, those are probably the two hardest I would probably had to guard.”
He further emphasized the difficulty of guarding Embiid in isolation:
“It depends. Nikola Jokić is just hard to guard because he’s so good at passing, but probably just like straight one-on-one, I think when Joel was healthy, I think Joel Embiid, just straight one-on-one. It’s hard because you can’t really be physical with him because he’s good at drawing fouls, so strong and can just do it from all angles.”
Statistical Evidence Confirms the Challenge Presented by Embiid and Jokić
The statistics reinforce Hartenstein’s perspective on the toughness of these players. According to StatMuse, Embiid has averaged an impressive 31.1 points and 11.1 rebounds on 52 percent shooting against Hartenstein. Meanwhile, Jokić’s numbers in their head-to-head matchups include 27.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists over 18 games.
A standout recent performance illustrates Jokić’s impact: during a March game where Denver defeated Oklahoma City 140-127, Jokić shot 15-of-20 from the field and finished with a dominant stat line of 35 points, 18 rebounds, and eight assists. Such performances showcase why even a top center like Hartenstein sees them as formidable opponents.
The Impact of Facing These Elite Players on Hartenstein’s Career and NBA Reputation
Facing two of the league’s most dominant centers has not only tested Hartenstein’s defensive skills but also highlighted the level of competition at the NBA’s highest tiers. While both Embiid and Jokić present contrasting challenges—one excelling in one-on-one dominance and the other in playmaking—they share the reputation of being nearly impossible to contain.
As Hartenstein continues to develop with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his reflections reveal important insights into what it takes to compete against MVP-level talents. His acknowledgment of their unique difficulties also shines a light on the caliber of players NBA centers must prepare to face regularly.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Isaiah Hartenstein wear a mask?
A. Hartenstein got a bruise on his face during Monday night’s game against the Timberwolves. Joel Lorenzi writes about the Thunder and the NBA for The Oklahoman.