The OKC Thunder won their first-ever NBA championship in June 2025. Following the title run, the Thunder came into the media spotlight once again after signing Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to long-term extensions with the team.
While all eyes were on the Thunder after their championship run, Isaiah Hartenstein, their backup center, appeared on Paul George’s Podcast P and reflected on their championship run this summer.
After giving Rick Carlisle his flowers for posing a challenge to the Thunder in the Finals, Hartenstein pointed out that they were confident they could beat the Pacers if they stuck to their fundamentals correctly. However, the biggest challenge for the team were Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, claims Hartenstein.
“I think the only series where we were kind of a little bit on the ropes was Denver. I think Denver was the only series where– I mean that, just Jokic. I mean, the way they play, they’ve been there before, and that was probably the only series where we were like ‘even if we do everything right, they probably still have a chance.’ Every other series, we were like, if we do the right things, we’re good.”
Later on in the interview, Hartenstein also reveals what he learned from Jokic in his experience playing against him.
“I think just his passing. I think I learned a lot. I mean, I could always pass before, but just the little details of kind of looking off guys with your eyes, if a defender is not looking at you, you can kind of still throw it in front and they can still catch the ball.
“So, just like little details, where I was a good passer, but it kind of took me to another level where I see the game differently, and I know how to manipulate the game to in kind of my benefit in that aspect. But he’s so smart in the game. I mean, his IQ is off the charts.”
“Even playing against him in the playoffs, it felt like he was coaching like he’s the coach on the court. I mean, he’ll tell people where to go. He’ll tell what kind of players what to do. And so, he’s just his IQ is off the charts.”
Nikola Jokic averaged 28.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in the series against the Thunder as he battled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s team with a chip on his shoulder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was leading the race at the time over the three-time MVP to another deserved win of the Michael Jordan regular season MVP award.
Jokic was coming off a season where he became just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire NBA season. If not for injuries to Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr, maybe the Joker would have gotten his revenge on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for taking his award.
Do you think a healthy Nuggets roster from last season beats the Thunder in a series of seven games? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
