Nuggets vs. Pistons: Takeaways and Player Grades

Nikola Jokic

Grade: C

Teachers comment: Your son needs to be more active in class

Jokic just didn’t do much of anything. He was very quiet. Coming off of last year’s commended season, Jokic needs to do more for this team. Making the adjustment from playing center to playing PF has proven to be a speed bump for Jokic, which he will not overcome through passive play. Jokic needs to be more active and aggressive.

With his length and versatility, Jokic has the potential to do great things, but he needs to up the energy offensively and defensively. He played too passively against the Pistons, and simply waited for the ball to come to him. His stat line wasn’t too bad, but his effort level was uncharacteristically low.

Nikola is a competitor, and my guess is that the frustration of switching positions has led Jokic to play with less confidence, and therefore less aggressiveness. Now that Darrell Arthur is back, maybe Jokic will see more time at center, and his competitiveness will return. Either way, his low activity level, displayed against the Pistons, is not going to cut it.