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Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Three NBA stars with the most to gain this postseason

By Ethan Scott | Last updated 4/14/23

The possibilities of this season's NBA playoffs are as wild as ever. The leagues' parody has Eastern and especially Western conferences up for grabs. The playoffs are where legacies are built and where the greatest players separate themselves from everyone else.

Here are three players who have the most to gain and lose based on their individual and team performance:

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

The reigning two-time MVP has never made it out of the second round outside of the Disney World bubble in a series when he came up short against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jokić and the Denver Nuggets (53-29) are the number-one seed for the first time in franchise history, and he nearly became the first center in NBA history to average a triple-double—averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists in 69 games.

Per Oddschecker, Denver has the second-best odds to win the West at around +350, just behind the Pheonix Suns.

The Nuggets have finally figured it out, winning its third most games in franchise history. On top of superstar Jokić, they have a loaded roster that can easily go nine deep and an experienced coach. If any year is going to be theirs, it's now.

.@TimBontemps believes Nikola Jokić is under the MOST pressure to win of any player in the NBA playoffs pic.twitter.com/w6WHAjMWCS
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 7, 2023

If the Nuggets come up short of the Western Conference finals yet again, it won't look good for The Joker.

2. Chris Paul, Pheonix Suns

This may be the 37-year-old last best chance to win an NBA championship. After the Suns acquired superstar Kevin Durant, their odds of taking the Western Conference skyrocketed. They are the favorites to win the West at around +180, per Oddschecker.

In the eight games that Durant has played, the Suns are undefeated. Yes, it's a small sample size, but that talent level is more than evident. In an overall weak and inexperienced conference, Pheonix could take advantage. In those eight games, Paul averaged 13.9 points, 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 47.1% from the field and 40.8% from three. He recently achieved a new career high last Thursday, sinking seven threes in a game.

The last time Paul shot 40% from three was in 2016-17, while still with the Los Angeles Clippers.

If the Suns were to win an NBA championship with Paul playing well, he would officially solidify his legacy as one of the greatest point guards to ever play. If not, he may never get another shot.

3. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers

For as good as Harden's career has been, he's too well known for his multiple playoff collapses. Last season was as bad as any, where he averaged 18.6 points—lowest since 2011-12—and 8.6 assists, shooting 43.9% on two-point attempts—lowest since 2013-14. His play was a significant reason Philly was bounced in the second round against the Miami Heat.

Now it's time for him to make amends.

He's having a resurgence year in terms of efficiency. He's shooting 38.3% from three on 7.2 attempts. It's the best marksmanship performance of his entire career and he has to do everything he can to ensure that carries over into the postseason. If he can help the 76ers go on a magical run, upsetting the other beasts in the East (Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics), it will go a long way in terms of Harden shaping his legacy.

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