Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is unquestionably one of the best basketball players alive and perhaps one of the greatest of all time.
But even with all his skills and accomplishments, some people still criticize Jokic’s game, especially his defense.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone isn’t happy about the complaints about Jokic’s defensive skills.
“People criticize Nikola’s defense because he doesn’t average three blocks a game. But if you really are a basketball purist and you watch the game, you see he’s got some of the best hands in the NBA, bar none,” Malone said, according to Matt Brooks.
Malone then called him “one of the most underrated defenders in the entire NBA.”
Michael Malone on Jokić: "People criticize Nikola's defense because he doesn't average three blocks a game. But if you really are a basketball purist and you watch the game, you see he's got some of the best hands in the NBA, bar none."
"One of the most underrated defenders in…
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) March 12, 2024
Jokic is posting just .9 blocks per game, which is definitely a far cry from 3, just like Malone said.
But that limited number of blocks goes along with his 26.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game.
It’s also important to note that he is earning 9.3 defensive rebounds per game, which greatly helps his team.
Jokic might not look like a typical big man with traditional defensive skills, but that is part of what makes him so special.
Because he is 6-foot-11 and 284 pounds, many people expect him to play like the sort of big men they have seen throughout NBA history.
But Jokic is more than just a center, he also shoots the ball well (58.2% from the field this season) and is one of the greatest passers in the league.
So even if his defense isn’t what some people had hoped for, he is still assisting and guiding his team in a number of powerful and important ways.
No matter how he does with defense, there is no doubt that Jokic is greatly helping his team every single night.
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