Nikola Jokic struggled in a recent game against the Kings, highlighting a shift in defensive strategy by opponents. Teams are now prioritizing denying Jokic the ball, leading to his subpar performance, which included 22 points, 15 rebounds, and seven turnovers. This strategy, which involves collapsing defenses around Jokic and allowing other players to shoot freely, challenges traditional defensive maxims. As defenses adapt in this way, Jokic's impact on the game has diminished, pointing to a significant shift in how teams approach the Nuggets.
Jokic's struggles arise from a unique defensive strategy: opposing teams prioritize denying him the ball, compromising other defensive alignments to do so.
The Kings’ approach involved keeping all five players close to the paint, doubling Jokic when he received the ball, while allowing wide-open shots to others.
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