"He's a load": Why Nikola Jokic can be a factor defensively in the Nuggets' first-round series

The triple-double dropping, no-look passing, efficient scoring Nikola Jokic is most well-known for his offensive prowess. It’s why after a Game 1 loss to the Spurs where Jokic handed out 14 assists and became the only center other than Wilt Chamberlain to accomplish that feat in a playoff game his 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting drew the ire of some who thought Jokic should have scored the ball more even though the Spurs sent waves of double-teams his direction whenever the Nuggets’ All-Star center made a move towards the basket.

Jokic was effective in Game 1 on the offensive end of the floor. Just ask the Spurs, who watched Denver brick all but six of its 28 3-point attempts in the 101-96 defeat, many of which came off of kick-outs from Jokic.

“You say Jokic had a bad game – he had a triple double,” said Rudy Gay. “He got a lot of shots for a lot of players, got rebounds. And we still feel like he can play better. Our work is not done with him.”

Game 2’s storyline will focus on Jokic once again and likely if San Antonio continues to double Denver’s big man and force the Nuggets to make open shots, something they were unable to do in the series opener. But Tuesday’s matchup will also be a chance for Jokic to have another strong defensive performance after one of his better games of the season on Saturday on that end of the court.

Jokic was everywhere on defense in Game 1, playing high up on the floor and deterring Spurs guards who tried to take advantage of him in the pick-and-roll, rotating quickly and effectively to help-side and stonewalling LaMarcus Aldridge in the paint. Aldridge finished with just 15 points — eight points lower than his scoring average this season — and the Nuggets occasionally sent double-teams to help Jokic out but Denver’s big man mainly held Aldridge in check by himself. Aldridge averaged 22.3 points on 55.7% shooting across four matchups against the Nuggets this season but his 6-of-19 performance in Game 1 was the lowest percentage he’s shot from the field since Feb. 27.

“Nikola’s defense on Aldridge I thought was terrific,” Michael Malone said. “He was physical, he did his work early, he made him a little bit uncomfortable and there were times when LaMarcus obviously missed some shots that he usually makes. But mixing up the double-teams, mixing up the one-on-one coverages, and I think Nikola took on that challenge and did a hell of a job.”

The Spurs came into Game 1 looking to get Jokic into foul trouble by running a lot of their offense through Aldridge on the block, but San Antonio had to come away a bit surprised when it couldn’t get its All-Star forward going against someone who’s been knocked throughout his career for his defensive shortcomings. Aldridge shot 1-8 on post-ups, per NBA.com, and Jokic’s power and strength kept him from gaining any ground when he had the ball in potential scoring situations.

Watch Jokic fight for position with Aldridge as the Spurs’ forward moves across the lane towards the left block and battle with him throughout the possession.

Here, Jokic doesn’t give up any ground to Aldridge.

It’s easy to forget just how strong Jokic is. He plays bully ball on the block with opposing centers like Steven Adams and Karl-Anthony Towns and has a left shoulder that can drive defenders back underneath the basket with a single thrust. He’s also able to use that strength when defending the post and it’s a central reason why Jokic has been one of the better rebounders in the league over the last couple of years.

“He was physical pushing Aldridge out, making his catches tough, making him make tough shots,” Torrey Craig said. “He’s a load. He’s a big, heavy guy. He’s strong. When he wants to get level and balanced and use his force, he can do that.”

Aldridge felt Jokic’s strength here.

Jokic also showed his fluidity and foot-speed in Game 1, which is much improved from last season.

He was a committed defender against the Spurs too. Here’s a great closeout and run-off of Rudy Gay in the corner.

We already know Jokic has great hands and positioning. Here, he swipes the ball from DeRozan.

Part of the reason why Jokic can be effective on defense in the Nuggets’ first-round series against the Spurs is that San Antonio isn’t going to be able to maximize his weaknesses like other Western Conference contenders.

The Spurs don’t have the elite point guard that the Rockets, Trail Blazers or Jazz do who tend to draw Jokic up the lane, put the center in one pick-and-roll after another, and force a favorable switch that puts Denver’s big man on skates. San Antonio’s top ball handlers — Derrick White, Bryn Forbes, Patty Mills Rudy Gay, and DeRozan — are skilled and will hurt you on offense, as they did to Denver in Game 1, but they’re no James Harden, Damian Lillard or Donovan Mitchell in terms of how they’ll attack the defense. The Spurs don’t run a high-frequency pick-and-roll offense either as those teams do.

San Antonio prefers to play a plodding game, one that’s going to run through countless Aldridge and DeRozan post-ups and work the shot clock for high-quality looks. The Nuggets and Spurs played at the slowest pace of all Game 1’s and both teams finished in the bottom nine in the league in pace this season.

It’s a style that may not lead to the gaudy offensive numbers from Jokic that the Nuggets have grown accustomed to over the last few seasons but one that can result in Denver’s big man having a strong defensive impact against Aldridge and the Spurs over the remainder of the series.