The NBA has a lot of good defensive centers. Nikola Jokic thinks all the centers in the NBA are good, but there are some who are more difficult matchups for the three-time MVP. The ones he called out by name share a common trait. They're more physical. That's why the Denver Nuggets need Jokic to regain his three-point shooting form. Without it, these defenders could have a blueprint to slow him and the Nuggets down.
Jokic sat down for a candid interview with the Jao Mile Podcast, where he discussed a wide range of topics, ranging from his new shoe to who he thought were the toughest defenders for him. The interview was conducted in Serbian, so it's a little difficult to get exact quotes. But the particular names and reasoning of interest are exactly why Jokic and the Nuggets were ousted from the playoffs in the first round. Physicality.
Jokic needs his three-point shot to open up the paint
Jokic said Jusuf Nurkic and Ivica Zubac "guard me well," and he can't move them in the paint because of their bulk. Jokic said the Oklahoma City Thunder are difficult as a team, and he praised Rudy Gobert's defense during the playoffs this year. The Thunder have always played Jokic physically, using Alex Caruso to front him to try and deny the entry pass, while Gobert's physical presence this postseason was one of the main reasons the Nuggets' offense couldn't get going.
Gobert's job was made even easier because he didn't have to worry about guarding Jokic on the perimeter. Jokic shot just 7-for-36, a terrible 19.4% from downtown. Jokic was forced inside during Games 3 and 4 and shot just 31.3% and 42.1% from two point range before he used his high basketball IQ to figure out how to best attack Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves. But by then it was too late.
Nuggets fans have seen that when Jokic gets frustrated in games, it's usually when he's being pushed around a bit more on the inside. But if his three-point shot is falling, the extra spacing takes away the defender's ability to drift off of him, and it opens the paint up for Jokic to find the cutter for a finish at the rim. The Timberwolves took that away in the first round, and the Nuggets' offense stagnated at times. It never looked like the league's top-ranked regular-season offense.
Jokic will eventually figure out the best way to score
Jokic's basketball IQ is too high for him to be stifled for too long. He did figure out the best way to score on Gobert and the Wolves, shooting 72.7% and 71.4% from two in Games 5 and 6. But the introduction of physicality as a scheme by Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch clearly paid dividends.
Jokic mentioned the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama, on his list, but Jokic has never had an issue with Wemby. Wembanyama is not physically imposing enough to mess with Jokic.
Jokic's ability to stretch the defense is a key advantage for the Nuggets' offense. But without his three-point shot falling, he opens himself up to a clogged paint and more physical play.
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