Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves was bewildered after a win against the Denver Nuggets. Despite the victory, Edwards was puzzled about how Nikola Jokic seemed to know Minnesota`s plays in advance. Edwards jokingly accused Micah Nori, a Timberwolves assistant coach and former Nuggets staffer, of being a spy.
“I was just telling Micah, how did this guy know the play we were running?” Edwards exclaimed, interrupting reporters gathered around Rudy Gobert`s locker.
Gobert chimed in, “We have a spy on the bench, man.”
During the fourth quarter, Jokic anticipated a Timberwolves play, gesturing to his teammates the exact strategy Minnesota was about to use. Gobert, amazed, exchanged glances with Edwards, acknowledging Jokic`s incredible insight.
Jokic, when questioned, simply shrugged, mentioning the numerous games played against the Timberwolves in the previous season. His basketball IQ is no surprise, given his status as a top player averaging impressive stats. However, his defensive methods, including anticipating plays, are what truly set him apart, making him a defensive analytics favorite despite perceived athletic limitations.
Edwards, still in disbelief, reiterated, “Me and Rudy looked at each other and said, `How the f— do he know?` That guy is cheating, man.” Gobert jokingly called for an investigation.
After being drafted by the Nuggets in 2014, Jokic`s athleticism was tested, revealing surprisingly low vertical jump results. Furthermore, data showed Jokic`s low frequency of `fast` running during games, consistently ranking near the bottom of the league in speed metrics. He himself admitted his patience stemmed from his lack of speed.
Despite these physical limitations, Jokic has become a defensive force, consistently outperforming players known for their defense in advanced metrics. Defensive box plus-minus has ranked him as the NBA`s top defender for the past three seasons, highlighting a discrepancy between traditional scouting and data analysis.
So, how does Jokic excel defensively despite his lack of speed and jump? The answer lies in his exceptional memory, anticipation, and understanding of opponents` strategies.
Christian Braun, a teammate, notes Jokic`s ability to predict and direct teammates during plays, especially out-of-bounds situations. Peyton Watson confirmed Jokic`s near-perfect accuracy in calling out plays. Assistant coach Popeye Jones emphasized Jokic`s long-term memory for plays, even from previous seasons.
Beyond play recognition, Jokic is an active defender despite his speed.
Jokic`s overall athletic talent is undeniable, showcased by his MVP awards and success in other sports like horse racing. He`s demonstrated quarterback-like passing skills and impressive buzzer-beaters, highlighting his versatile athleticism.
Defensively, Jokic has evolved from playing deep in the paint to a more aggressive pick-and-roll defense, disrupting ball handlers higher up the court. This tactic allows him to utilize his anticipation to intercept passes intended for rolling players.
Jokic is on track to lead NBA centers in deflections for the sixth consecutive season, showcasing his ability to disrupt passes. Coach Michael Malone highlights Jokic`s knack for breaking up passes with “hands, feet, whatever he`s got to use.”
Draymond Green jokingly pointed out Jokic`s frequent `kicked ball` violations. Jokic leads the league in this category by a significant margin, effectively using it as a unique defensive tool to halt plays and reset defenses. He has accumulated a remarkable number of kicked-ball violations since 2020, far exceeding any other player or even entire teams.
Green acknowledges the strategic advantage of Jokic`s kicked balls, allowing defenses to regroup. He noted Jokic`s defensive evolution from indifference to becoming a defensive strength, essential for championship contention.
Jokic`s defensive improvement is attributed to experience, better physical conditioning, and crucially, leveraging his intellect and memory to compensate for physical limitations. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault emphasizes Jokic`s elite thinking and instincts across all facets of the game.
