The List: Communication breakdown, ripple effects, and margins of error

This edition of THE LIST is a companion piece to Monday’s episode of the DNVR Nuggets podcast.

1. This was an interesting take on the inverted 5-1 PnR that Nikola Jokic often runs with Jamal Murray.

2. Communicating on defense should be made easier inside this bubble setting, void of fans and excess background noise. It should also be made easier by the urgency that is created when guarding Duncan Robinson, arguably the league’s best shooter. Here, Torrey Craig and Jokic both switch off of Robinson who steps into a wide open three.

On Monday, Michael Malone referenced “12 to 15 points, easily” that the team could’ve saved simply by communicating. This play is certainly one of the many examples that he was citing.

3. I always talk about how difficult and complex defending at the NBA level can be but this play perfectly illustrates how a team must make a half dozen reads on any given possession, often in quick succession. Screw up one and you’ll give up a wide open three or dunk. In this clip, the Miami Heat do a great job of flowing from one action into the next and having the weak side floor spacers exchange spots with perfect timing to instigate a tiny mistake that leads to an open shot.

4. Both Jokic and Jerami Grant got caught showing late on pick and rolls, allowing for a pocket pass to arrive at in the danger zone. When it comes to PnR defense, sometimes a foot of space can mean the difference between closing off a lane to the basket or giving up a wide open dunk.

5. Perhaps the number one thing that Jokic can change about his game when he is being defended by smaller players is to hunt for spots to attack early. Jokic likes to survey the court but these moments lend themselves to Jokic forcing the defense to react first and then surveying the court for open shooters and cutters.

6. This play provides a great example of how wide the margin for error is when you defend with four or five players who are 6’10 or taller.

7. The Jokic – Michael Porter Jr. combination can become unstoppable if the Nuggets can ever get the ball poppin.

8. Speaking of Porter Jr., he still has a lot to learn about the tiny nuances of the game and a lot to gain by sharpening his ability to read what the defense is giving him.

9. The play that got Michael Porter Jr. benched.

10. On Sunday, Michael Malone said that he felt Monte Morris and PJ Dozier could’ve done a better job of getting the team organized and into the offense. He also cited the fact that both players had very short training camps following a four month layoff. Both points are fair. But plays like the one below need to be cleaned up quickly. Everyone knows each other’s plays in the NBA so it is important for the point guard to sniff out when a defender is sitting on the main options and make them pay.

11. One of my biggest pet peeves is players doing the heavy lifting on defense, placing the offense into a near impossible situation, and then bailing them out by trying to go for a home run.

12. One of my favorite new fundamentals, using the inside hand to gain an extra half step when turning towards the basket in a dribble handoff.

The Full List