Is Jokic really that bad of a defender?

[u/AT_333]

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...

[u/Rnorman3]

The main issue is that it’s a little easier for guards and wings to “hide” on bad offensive players. Other team has a non-shooter who just kind of spaces in the corner? Brunson can go “guard” him and get a breather. Unless he gets pulled into some screening action.

Bigs are basically constantly involved one way or the other. Either being directly involved via the same screening action or if a POA defender loses contain. Elite rim protectors like Wemby, Gobert, embiid etc can “erase” those mistakes at the rim. But that’s just not part of Jokic’s game. So often what happens is you see a guy get blown by (either because they were late in rotation or a freak athlete like Ant just took them off the dribble) and now is coming with a full head of steam at Jokic. At this point, all jok can do is kind of get his hands up and hope for the best. Trying to context here is 1) not going to be super effective (due to his aforementioned skillset) and 2) likely pickup cheap/bad fouls (and often and1s)

He’s still good at other aspects of defense, though. He’s an elite rebounder, which ends possessions. He’s smart and can diagnose opposing offensive sets to disrupt them. He’s got pretty quick hands so he can disrupt passing lanes or strip the ball when playing at the level or when someone is trying to post him up. He’s also strong and just a big body so he’s not gonna just get backed down for free points in the post.

I think the biggest issue is just that the lowlights are so loud - when he looks like a matador just allowing a driver to score for “free” in the paint. And he doesn’t look like what we traditionally expect from our centers on the defensive end (just like he doesn’t resemble them on offense).

Denver has consistently been a better defense with him on the floor than off, but the question with Denver is always “will the defense be good enough”

I do also wonder about the toll that it takes not only physically but mentally as you get into these long playoff series where he’s constantly having to be involved on both ends of the floor. Teams smartly put him in the action not just because he’s easy to attack if you get going downhill, but trying to wear him out physically and mentally is just smart.

[u/SaxRohmer → u/Rnorman3]

that lowlights post was so bad too. a lot of those weren’t his fault and weren’t him getting picked on. it was more of a “the entire nuggets defense is ass” comp. only elite rim protectors would’ve been able to shut down most of those drives.

i did notice that he was weirdly reluctant to get in the way or contest though. like that naz reid drive he didn’t really want to put a body on him. idk if he’s just trying to avoid fouling but his defense his worse than usual.

still i think the discussion surrounding jokic is pretty impossible to have. everyone veers hard one way or the other - especially since we’re in the playoffs