How OKC Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein improved as Nikola Jokic's backup with Nuggets
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Nikola Jokic, already one of the league's most physically imposing players, carried some extra weight as he moved around the Paycom Center floor.
Attached to his hip was Isaiah Hartenstein, who mirrored the Serbian superstar's every move early in the fourth quarter of Game 1 between OKC and Denver on May 5.
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When Jokic tried to free himself to catch a pass, Hartenstein remained glued to his jersey. When Jokic tried to pull up for a mid-range jumper, Hartenstein swiped down to dislodge the ball. And when Jokic regained control and tried a second shot, Hartenstein contested it enough to force a miss.
It's not the first time Hartenstein has operated in Jokic's shadow. Before the two centers matched up in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, they were briefly teammates in Denver during the 2020-21 season.
Jokic was already the face of the franchise, on the cusp of winning his first of three Most Valuable Player awards. And Hartenstein was the 22-year-old backup, eager to make the most of his limited role.
"At the time, I was just looking for opportunity," Hartenstein told The Oklahoman. "It wasn't an easy time out there. But, in general, I wouldn't change it. Playing behind Jokic, I think in my career it helped a lot."
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When Hartenstein joined the Nuggets in late November 2020, he didn't have the tattoo sleeve that now covers his entire right arm.
The only ink he had at the time was on his forearm. It includes an image of a basketball and a rim with the words "Make every day your own masterpiece" in the middle. Fitting for the young center, whose career was still a blank canvas.
After being selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round (No. 43 overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft, Hartenstein spent most of his time in the G League. He dominated at that level, leading the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to a 2019 championship and winning Finals MVP.
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Still, Hartenstein struggled to carve out a consistent role with the Rockets. The 7-footer didn't fit into their small-ball picture, and he was waived at the end of the 2019-20 season.
Denver showed a strong interest. It needed a backup center following the departure of Mason Plumlee, who had signed with the Detroit Pistons.
And while Hartenstein had other suitors, the chance to learn from Jokic was one of Denver's strongest selling points. He signed with the Nuggets on a two-year, $3.3 million deal.
"He's an intelligent player," Hartenstein said of Jokic. "When you ask him questions, he's very open to responding. He takes the time to give you a good answer."
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Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) tries to get past Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during Game 2 at Paycom Center on May 7. Jokic and Hartenstein were once teammates, which led to tremendous growth for Hartenstein.
Most of those questions were about the way Jokic sees the game.
A test of Jokic's DNA would likely reveal links to Arvydas Sabonis, Bill Walton and Wilt Chamberlain. A rare breed of centers who've transcended the position with their passing abilities.
But it would also reveal a genetic mutation. One that gives Jokic an otherworldly ability to see plays before they happen. One that allows him to create open teammates, not find them, with defense-dissecting dimes.
Jokic is widely considered the greatest passing big man in the history of basketball. And he was happy to assist Hartenstein, who now displays similar passing traits in his game.
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"Learning from him helped my passing out a lot," Hartenstein said. "How selfless he is (stood out). He doesn't think he's better than anyone, even though most people in his position probably would. He's kind of similar to Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander). Both guys are very team-oriented."
Learning from Jokic was a huge benefit to Hartenstein's time in Denver. But playing behind the superstar center also came with a downside.
Jokic plays a lot of minutes. And that didn't leave many for Hartenstein, who averaged 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in just 9.1 minutes throughout 30 games.
"It wasn't easy," Hartenstein said. "I think a lot of guys who've played behind him, it's been a little bit more difficult. And that's nothing against him. It's just that you have 8-10 minutes to show what you can do. For me, it was a little difficult because I thought I had to do everything right."
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More: How Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is trying to be crutch he had for next generation
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and center Isaiah Hartenstein (25) celebrate a score in the second half against the Trail Blazers at Ball Arena in 2021.
Denver ultimately dealt Hartenstein at the trade deadline that season. It sent him and two future second-round picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for JaVale McGee, who could serve as a more experienced backup to Jokic.
It was yet another new destination for Hartenstein, who played out the rest of the campaign with Cleveland. He then spent one season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Then he spent two seasons with the New York Knicks.
The life of an NBA journeyman has its challenges. But when Hartenstein left each team, he took something with him.
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Hartenstein improved as a screener alongside James Harden in Houston, which has helped him now thrive next to Gilgeous-Alexander. He improved as a passer alongside Jokic in Denver, which has allowed OKC to sometimes use him as an offensive hub. And his improved preparation under Tom Thibodeau in New York helped him bring a veteran presence to the young Thunder.
"I think every stop I had was very helpful," Hartenstein said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Hartenstein is now one of the more well-rounded centers in the league, and his days of struggling to earn minutes are behind him.
That isn't lost on Jokic, who has admired his former teammate's ascension from afar.
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"He's doing an amazing job," Jokic said after Game 1 on May 5. "He's always where he needs to be. He's attacking the offensive glass. He's setting great screens to open guys up. He has a really good touch or floater. ... I think he developed himself into a really good player."
More: Nikola Jokic was off again in Game 4. This time, OKC Thunder didn't squander opportunity.
Hartenstein averaged career highs of 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists during this regular season. He started in 53 of his 57 games, and he has held that role throughout these playoffs.
A starting spot wasn't guaranteed by OKC executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti when he signed Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million contract in free agency last offseason. But it didn't need to be.
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After operating in the shadows earlier in his career, the opportunity to shine was all Hartenstein could ask for.
"I just saw the team play, and I thought I could help the team out," Hartenstein said. "It feels great."
NBA Playoffs: Thunder vs. Nuggets | Western Conference semifinals
Best-of-seven; Games 5-7 if necessary.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder vs Nuggets: Inside Isaiah Hartenstein's ties with Nikola Jokic
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