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How Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are winning with defense

By Michael Shearer

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 08: Bones Hyland #3 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with Nikola Jokic #15 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena on November 8, 2021 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. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 08: Bones Hyland #3 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with Nikola Jokic #15 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena on November 8, 2021 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. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets high fives Aaron Gordon #50 during the first half of the NBA game (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon are the leaders of the Denver Nuggets defense

Lots of media coverage focuses on what Nikola Jokic can’t do. He’s not going to shut down lightning-quick point guards on the perimeter or volleyball spike a shot into the sixth row of fans.

He is certainly not the quickest of cats (although slimmer Jokic has been showing some hops!). However, the Joker is extremely strong, has active hands, and knows exactly where to be at all times. Watch his game-saving block against Houston :

It’s not the prettiest block you’ll ever see, but it gets the job done, which is Jokic’s defense in a nutshell.

Jokic is averaging 1.6 steals and a career-high 1.0 blocks per game, and NBA.com shows that opponents are shooting a little worse than expected at the rim against him. He also Dysons up rebounds, finishing possessions decisively. He’ll never be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year, but he’s not a matador pirouetting out of the way of rampaging Bulls, either.

The Nuggets traded for Aaron Gordon hoping he could be that kind of award-winning stopper on the wing, and he hasn’t disappointed. Freed from carrying the creative burden the Orlando Magic forced upon him, AG has devoted all of his energy to locking down the opponent’s best players.

Matchup data from NBA.com shows that he’s spent most of his time guarding bonafide scorers like Jimmy Butler, Ja Morant, Christian Wood, and Luka Doncic. Despite this, Gordon is holding opponents to just 41.7% shooting from the field.

His athleticism allows him to recover even when he seems beaten. In the first clip below, you can see him chase down Devin Booker in just a few steps, wait patiently for his chance, and then pounce on the layup attempt like a cat playing with his prey:

https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1458143601737834498

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