On Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green's podcast, Portland Blazers All-Star Deni Avdija discussed what makes guarding Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic so difficult. After Avdija made his first playoff appearance last season against the San Antonio Spurs, he reflected on facing Nuggets' three-time MVP. Amid the Blazers' potential relocation in the future, their All-Star forward is blossoming into a star.

Still, it doesn't make defending the most dominant big man in Jokic, as Avdija discussed with Green, per The Draymond Green Show.

“Every time I switch on to Jokic, I’m like, what the hell am I supposed to do? And I'm strong, but this guy is strong and smart, and can pass, and has those touch floaters from every angle,” Avdija said. “I think him. That's the toughest cover cause usually I don't guard him 1-on-1, too.”

Warriors veteran Draymond Green couldn't help but laugh at Blazers' Deni Avdija's response to his question regarding who's the toughest player to defend. It sounds like he undoubtedly agrees.

“He is the toughest cover in the league for sure,” Green said. “I respect that. That ain't a bad answer.”

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Jokic finished runner-up behind Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP last season. He averaged a triple-double: 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. In his breakout season with the Blazers, Advija posted 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in 2025-26.

The Blazers traded for Ja Morant over the summer. Adding a second score-first guard to their backcourt ahead of Damian Lillard's comeback season, alongside two-time champion Jrue Holiday, as Portland will look to make another stride in a very competitive Western Conference after finishing with the seventh-best record (42-40) last season.