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Debunking Nikola Jokic’s defensive narrative

ByGrayson Moore|
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets blocks the shot by Shabazz Napier #6 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game between the two teams on January 22, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets blocks the shot by Shabazz Napier #6 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game between the two teams on January 22, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 11: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) heading off the court in their overtime loss of their winner-take-all regular-season finale vs the Minnesota Timberwolves 112 -106 at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. April 11, 2018 Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 11: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) heading off the court in their overtime loss of their winner-take-all regular-season finale vs the Minnesota Timberwolves 112 -106 at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. April 11, 2018 Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Nikola Jokic may be one of the best centers in the league, but he has the reputation of being a terrible defender for the Denver Nuggets.

For instance, he doesn’t get very many blocks(0.8 per game last season) per basketball reference, he isn’t very quick on his feet, and has trouble guarding players both smaller and bigger than him. However, I don’t think that he is a bad defender. Or, at least as bad a defender as many perceive him to be for the Denver Nuggets.

Bleacher Report described him earlier in the year as “an underrated defender with strong positioning instincts”. In fact, many of their writers view him as a very unappreciated defender. So I am not alone in this opinion.

His play style may be a bit awkward, but it has served him well in his short career so far to say the very least. It did just net him a max contract with the Denver Nuggets this summer, which was well deserved.

Here are some reasons why the narrative around Nikola Jokic’s defense is untrue.

(Note: All stats via Basketball-Reference or NBA.com unless otherwise noted.)

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