Mavericks-Nuggets: ทำไมมรดกของ Jokic ไม่จำเป็นต้องมีแหวนแชมป์ *ปีนี้*

The Post-Collegiate Pipeline to Denver

Nikola Jokic doesn't have a college background, obviously. But look at the talent around him in Denver. Jamal Murray played two years at Kentucky, tearing up the SEC before heading to the NBA. Michael Porter Jr. was a five-star recruit, the kind of guy every college coach salivates over, though injuries limited him to just three games at Missouri before he declared for the draft. Aaron Gordon spent one season at Arizona, showcasing the athleticism that made him a top-five pick. That's a serious pipeline of high-level collegiate talent surrounding their Serbian superstar.

The Nuggets, frankly, draft well and develop. Christian Braun, a Kansas product, was a key piece of their 2023 championship team. He played three seasons under Bill Self, winning a national title in 2022. That's the kind of experience you just can't replicate. It teaches you how to win, how to play within a system. He’s averaging 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds this season, providing valuable energy off the bench.

Dallas's March Madness Pedigree

Dallas, on the other hand, is leaning heavily on two guys who bypassed the traditional college route: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Doncic came straight from Europe, a phenomenon we're seeing more often now with top international prospects. Irving played just 11 games at Duke before heading to the NBA. But look at their supporting cast. P.J. Washington spent two seasons at Kentucky, showing flashes of that versatile forward play that made him a lottery pick. Daniel Gafford was a two-year starter at Arkansas, a shot-blocking big man who averaged 14.3 points and 8.7 boards his sophomore year.

And Tim Hardaway Jr.? He was a Michigan man, a two-time All-Big Ten selection who played three full seasons for the Wolverines. You can see that college polish in his game, even now. He knows how to operate in tight spaces, how to run off screens. It’s not just raw talent; it’s basketball IQ honed over years of high-level competition.

The College Game Still Matters, Even for Superstars

Here's the thing: everyone talks about Luka and Jokic, and they're undeniably generational talents. But the deeper you go into these rosters, the more you see the fingerprints of the college game. Guys like Dereck Lively II for the Mavericks, another Duke one-and-done, is still learning. He’s averaging 8.9 points and 6.9 rebounds, but he’s got that raw, athletic upside that Coach K used to recruit. He’s going to be a force, but he’s benefiting from a structured environment, much like he would have in a longer college career.

My hot take? The Mavericks winning a title this year would be more of a win for the long-term viability of the one-and-done, or even no-and-done, system. But Denver's success, with its mix of international phenoms and seasoned college guys like Braun and Gordon, suggests that a balanced approach, one that values both paths, is the real blueprint for sustained NBA success. Jokic's brilliance stands alone, but the college experience around him is what truly elevates the Nuggets. And frankly, this year, with how banged up Dallas has looked at times, I don't see them getting past Denver in a seven-game series.

Denver wins in 6. Count on it.