https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/209-nba-finals-game-4-jokics-defense/id1428290303?i=1000616446219
This stat was brought up by Ben Taylor in the latest Thinking Basketball podcast. How much does everyone think this is poor shooting performance from Miami versus genuine defensive improvement from Jokic?
His motor has been crazy, and one thing I’ve noticed is that he’s always using his hands to make players uncomfortable. Almost anytime the player Jokic is defending doesn’t have the ball, they are met with some *aggressive* hand checking.
by The_Taskmaker
11 Comments
What sells as “ aggressive hand checking” is laughable in todays game.
While Jokic had definitely been a factor, I also see Jimmy and Bam blow like 6 wide open lays each per game. Swear Duncan Robinson is the only one I haven’t seen miss a lay yet this series
I remember the defensive highlight reel thread that was used to slander him in the regular season lol. I think it was against the spurs
Go back and count the times Heat players drive to the rim and just dribble on out of there or pass to the perimeter as the jump put of bounds.
Denver is conceding the mid range and just walling off the rim. They also love to swipe at the ball as you gather, vs going up for blocks.
There is a bit of both. The games are physical, players are tired, high intensity on both ends. But Jokic has regardless improved defensively, and it shows. He doesn’t bite on pump fakes and it makes shooters uncomfortable. Great hands, tons of deflections, he always had at least 2 steals a game and lately he’s blocking shots early.
His rim protection is weak against fast and explosive jumpers but he defends bigs very well.
Positioning and anticipation is elite, he took Draymond’s criticism to heart and improved significantly.
Also, both Jimmy and Bam are tired, Bam is trying to guard him, they are wrestling constantly and that affects shooting.
That’s mostly Bam missing point blank range shots
He’s gonna get exposed any day now!
Bam misses so many shots close to the basket
Jokic has been phenomenal at defense all playoffs and the team has improved on defense with each series.
Everyone who watches games should see how well Jokic is contesting most shots. His D is legit
IMO it has more to do with Bam and his terrible touch around the room than Jokic interior defense