Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ star center, has quietly transformed himself into one of the NBA‘s most effective defenders. As great as Jokic is offensively, he’s one of the best distributors in the game today. Beyond that, he’s showed a level of basketball IQ and defensive play that’s blown the league away. From show-stopping dimes to guileful defensive plays, he’s changed the idea of what a modern-day center can be.
During that 2022-23 season, Jokic showed off his extreme talent with one of the more surprising plays of the year. Most impressively, he pulled off a one-handed 66-foot lob to a sprinting teammate against the Memphis Grizzlies, serving as an example of his court vision worthy of a quarterback. On March 28, he hit a breathtaking half-court one-handed buzzer-beater against the Utah Jazz. This amazing picture stamped his legacy even more as a go-to performer.
It isn’t just his offensive talents that have propelled him to elite status. Jokic has turned himself into an elite defensive force, regularly ranking as one of the top players in defensive analytics. He is set to lead the NBA in defensive box plus-minus for the fourth consecutive year. This achievement is a testament to his unique dual-threat talent.
The Rise of Jokic’s Defensive Game
Jokic’s defensive statistics tell a compelling story. Since the beginning of 2020, he has called an incredible 127 kicked-ball violations. This staggering figure is a testament to his ball-hawkin’, gamble-takin’ style of play. In reality, 56 kicked balls as of the 2022-23 season have been double what some teams’ single season total has ever been. He gets into the backfield and causes chaos, which is why he’s one of the most active ball hawks in the league. His official standing vertical leap at the NBA Combine is 17 inches. The worst vertical at the Combine for more than 1,000 players tested.
This explains why he has ranked in the NBA’s bottom ten for speed for the past seven seasons. He more than compensates for that shortcoming with his exceptional feel for the game. His photographic memory allows him to recall plays from previous seasons, enabling him to anticipate opponents’ moves with uncanny accuracy.
“A lot of times on out-of-bounds plays, he’ll literally move you into the spot. He does it every single game. [Viewers] may not see it, and it might be subtle, but he moves you into your spot,” – Christian Braun.
His cerebral style on the defensive end of the floor has turned him into a foundational piece for the Nuggets. His coaches and teammates constantly rave about his impressive instincts and understanding of how to read the game.
Mastering Defensive Strategy
Jokic’s basketball IQ is constantly praised by those who share the court with him. Teammate Peyton Watson stated, “I haven’t seen him be wrong [when calling out a play].” The beauty of this insight is the way it exposes Jokic’s special mind to assess a situation quickly and develop a counter-move. His knowledge of other teams’ strategies improves not just his performance but the performance of his teammates as well.
Rudy Gobert, a fellow NBA star, humorously remarked, “We have a spy on the bench, man,” referring to Jokic’s knack for reading plays and anticipating what’s coming next. He’s a master at timing his plays, essentially “pressing pause” on the offenses he’s up against. This disruption interrupts their rhythm and creates key turnovers.
“He’s going to look at you and tell you, ‘Hey, this is what’s coming; this was their call.’ You’ll see him looking at the other coach to hear their call. He knows what’s coming and knows the best way to guard it,” – Christian Braun.
These, combined with his underrated defensive capabilities, have made him a player that teams must game plan around. His instincts have been the key to many big plays he’s made in key moments of games, usually resulting in turnovers or broken up passes.
The Impact of Kicked-Ball Violations
Where kicked-ball violations are mostly considered cardinal sins of the game by players, Jokic has instead made them sneaky weapons. Each infraction directly short-circuits multiple opponents’ potential scoring opportunities—a calculated risk that’s paid off in a big way.
“It’s a kick-ball violation, but it stops what probably would have been a layup,” – Mike Breen.
Since 2020, Jokic’s kicked-ball violations have affected nine passes. This is just one example of how his defensive presence can completely turn the tide in pivotal moments of ballgames. Though his aggressive style sometimes results in fouls, it’s regularly a deterrent for easy buckets from opponents.
Jokic’s unique combination of defensive skills and basketball intelligence sets him apart in an era where speed often dominates discussions about effectiveness on the court. He has harnessed his strengths to become a comprehensive player capable of shifting games with both his passing and defensive prowess.
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