Halting the unstoppable force that is Denver Nuggets’ star Nikola Jokic proves to be an arduous task for any Western Conference team aspiring to dethrone the defending champions.
Jokic, the reigning Finals MVP, has encountered various defensive strategies since ascending to superstardom. On a recent episode of Michael Porter Jr.’s Curious Mike podcast, Jokic delved into the challenges posed by different matchups and revealed the toughest one he faced.
Recalling the Western Conference Finals during the bubble, Jokic pointed to the Los Angeles Lakers’ formidable array of bigs as a particularly formidable challenge. With the likes of Anthony Davis and JaVale McGee, the Lakers deployed a strategy akin to what Minnesota did with Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert. Jokic acknowledged the difficulties presented by such scenarios but emphasized the versatility of his game.
“I think – that was the bubble, right? When [the Lakers] had three or four bigs,” Jokic said. “They had [Anthony Davis], [JaVale McGee]. Like what Minnesota did with [Karl Anthony-Towns] and [Rudy Gobert]. I think those kind of situations – but I think my game, or my style is so, like I don’t need just post-ups. I can play pick and roll, I can set pick and rolls, I can come off of screens, I can just play in open area. I think it’s not just one thing that I’m doing on the floor.”
While the Lakers boasted a talent advantage over the Nuggets in that Western Conference Finals matchup, the abundance of size in their frontcourt added an intriguing dimension to the series. Jokic highlighted the Lakers’ ability to throw multiple big men at him, creating a unique challenge.
Despite this, he underscored the multifaceted nature of his playing style, noting that his effectiveness extends beyond traditional post-ups, encompassing pick and rolls, setting screens, and playing in open spaces. Jokic emphasized that his impact on the floor encompasses a diverse range of skills, making it challenging for opponents to devise a singular defensive strategy against him.