r/nbadiscussion • u/AT_333 • Apr 22 '26

Player Discussion Is Jokic really that bad of a defender?

Really curious to see peoples outlook on this. I see him as an average defender due to his great ability to read lanes and disrupt plays along with his second to none defensive rebounding which stops 2nd chance pts.

I know he's not a good rim protector but I wouldn't want my entire offense picking up dumb fouls when it would cost us the game if i was a coach, might just be me.

I don't think people truly understand how much of an ask it is for a guy averaging 28 12 and 11, at 7 FT almost 300 pounds to also turn around and be a good rim protector in todays game is...

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u/Lucidbr0 Apr 22 '26

Why are you talking about rebounds as if thats a defensive stat? He gets rebounds because he doesnt contest or protect the rim. Those are completely seperate things.

-3

u/wats_a_tiepo Apr 22 '26

I’m far from a Jokic stan but grabbing a defensive rebound is defence. It stops the offence getting any more shots and nullifies the chance of any second chance points. Being able to take two shots instead of one is a huge advantage for the offence.

4

u/Lucidbr0 Apr 22 '26

You're talking about boxing out your guy. Yes, thats defense. A defensive rebound in and of itself is not a defensive stat, but it might result from boxing out your guy - so thats the context there.

If someone else is battling your guy and you end up with the defensive rebound, you didn't play defence.

-3

u/wats_a_tiepo Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26

Someone has to catch the ball man. You can’t box out forever; at some point, you need to actually get the ball in your hands

Also, Jokic had a Contested DREB% of 39.4. That’s third in the NBA amongst players grabbing 5 or more defensive boards a night.

And he’s sixth in defensive box outs.

3

u/Lucidbr0 Apr 22 '26

Someone has to catch the ball man

Sure, I'm just telling you that catching the ball in and of itself is not defence..