In response to the Warriors’ four steals, Nikola Jokic said, “I’m not bad, not good.” I am positioned in the midst.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Nuggets’ most ridiculous custom is undoubtedly the cartoonish Defensive Player of the Game chain, a gaudy representation of affirmation and morale that is more fitting for college football sidelines than NBA locker rooms. If it seems like one is too many, get ready for the blow.
We go in a group of one. After the Nuggets defeated the Warriors 119-103 on Sunday, coach Michael Malone stated, “We’ve got to change that.” “Because Nikola would have taken the other chain if we had two.”
Because of his persistent efforts to outcardio Steph Curry in the half-court, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the only person who could claim the lone chain. However, Nikola Jokic’s defence has held up admirably in tandem with his offence in his three video game performances since the All-Star break.
Because of his persistent efforts to outcardio Steph Curry in the half-court, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the only person who could claim the lone chain. However, Nikola Jokic’s defence has held up admirably in tandem with his offence in his three video game performances since the All-Star break. On 68.7% shooting, he is averaging 27.3 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 15 assists. In addition, he has three “stocks,” which are steals and blocks combined.
This season, the Nuggets are allowing 112.1 points per 100 possessions when he is on the court, which is 1.3 fewer than their team total.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic in the thick of the MVP race, Jokic’s four steals against Golden State demonstrated how difficult it is to assess his defence. He doesn’t always stand out
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic in the thick of the MVP race, Jokic’s four steals against Golden State demonstrated how difficult it is to assess his defence. He doesn’t always have a significant impact—the main criticism levelled against him each year is that he’s a liability—but when he follows the game plan and anticipates an opponent’s next move as offensive players do, he can be an absolute beast in Denver’s defensive scheme.
At Chase Centre on Sunday, Jokic declared, “I’m not bad, not good.” “I am situated amidst.”
In the same vein as Jokic is not a frequent dunker, he also is not a strong defender who plays above the rim or swats shots. Instead, the Nuggets make the most of their center’s abilities by having him guard higher up against ball screens than the majority of NBA big men. As a result, they rely largely on Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.’s weak-side assistance to contain rollers. When Jokic is able to play from the middle of the floor, his quick hands, vision, and IQ all work together.
Caldwell-Pope recently stated, “The more he’s up in pick-and-rolls and on the ball… that’s what he’s great at.” Simply being awake. hands in motion. Deflections occur when they attempt to make the pocket pass.
Jokic scored four steals and five deflections in Denver’s seventh straight victory over the Warriors. With 2.9 points per game as of the 56-game juncture, he was tied for eighth in the league (as many as the ridiculously wing-spanned Victor Wembanyama). “That indicates movement, that indicates a physical quality, and that indicates being at the appropriate location at the appropriate moment,” Malone remarked. One aspect of Jokic’s natural grasp of pick-and-roll angles—the same grasp that makes his two-man game with Jamal Murray so effective at the other end of the court—is his ability to disrupt the pocket pass.
But when it comes to guarding the pick-and-roll, he usually teams up with someone other than Murray. Caldwell-Pope is the one who is frequently assigned to top backcourt situations. One of the league’s top guards at navigating screens is the seasoned Caldwell-Pope. To improve their two-man defensive chemistry, the Nuggets have little time for off-day practice during the season, and Jokic and Caldwell-Pope haven’t played together their entire careers. According to Caldwell-Pope, the solution is to “learn on the go.”
“I know he’s going to be up in a pick-and-roll defensively with Jok,” he remarked. “I am aware that he, like me, has excellent hands. He will also attempt to make a steal. Being in that action with just the two of us helps me a lot. It helps me stay as close to my man as possible and it helps him just to get back to his man. That’s our strategy, having him awake. And his being up is beneficial to our team.
Jokic’s ability to drop a bit behind him and pursue the ball handler through the screen while Caldwell-Pope stays upright facilitates Caldwell-Pope’s individual emphasis.
Jokic responded, “That’s him, to be honest. He’s a really good defender, and I’m there to just try to help him a little bit. As much as I can. But it’s mostly him.” Malone emphasises big coming up on screens against the Warriors, whose on- and off-ball actions are frequently predicated on freeing up Curry for a 3-point attempt. Curry scored 14 points on Sunday, but he only shot 1-for-10 from 3-point range overall and scored only six points in the other three quarters combined. He turned the ball three times, while the Warriors committed 17 turnovers. Jokic’s active hands were obstructing passing lanes.
Curry may be being pursued by Caldwell-Pope as they move across the floor. However, Denver’s defence of the majority of plays started by Curry also needs a capable defensive big man. Should that prove insufficient in securing Jokic a third MVP trophy, Malone will need to bring a second chain the following time around.
Malone remarked, “You’re almost blitzing (Curry).” “And Nikola consistently showed up for those pick-and-rolls to support KCP’s efforts. His level of activity and engagement was therefore extraordinary.
