Limit the Joker:
If he hasn’t already claimed the prize of the best passing big man in NBA history Nikola Jokic is certainly well on his way.
As you watch the game this evening isolate on the center when Denver is on offense. Jokic uses every inch of his 7′ frame to scan the court. Send a double team and he’ll find the second player’s original defensive matchup now open. Collapse the defense around him and the Joker will deliver a pass through traffic right into his awaiting teammate’s hands.
He’ll utilize lobs, bounce passes, overhead passes and outlet passes to initiate fast breaks. And some nights he reaches into his bag of tricks for behind the back dimes or (like the one below) a slingshot pass leaving you scratching your head at his brilliance.
In the recent victory over the Toronto Raptors, Jokic pulled out all the stops dishing 15 dimes via a variety of passes:
An easy lob to an open teammate:
At the last second Jokic spots Kyle Lowry cheating off the weak side to help and delivers the ball to his open man on the perimeter.
As the Raptors collapse on Jokic in the paint he delivers a precise pass through all the traffic to his cutting teammate:
And this jawdropping slingshot pass to a wide open Jamal Murray for the wide open corner trey.
Billy Donovan has his work cut out figuring out how to defend Jokic. Presumaby, Steven Adams will be his primary defender. Additionally, Donovan should employ Nerlens Noel and his length to capitalize on making things difficult for Jokic. Everyone on the floor has to be looking to cut off passing lanes, deflecting passes and forcing hurried passes.
Attacking Jokic on defense is an option but he’s demonstrated improvements on that side of the hardwood this season. The OKC Thunder get a bit of a break given Denver’s defensive captain, Paul Millsap is out injured. Millsap is the key to the Nuggets improved defense, which means his absence may make Jokic more susceptible to attack and get in early foul trouble.
Play to identity:
Every victory for the OKC Thunder lies in the club playing to their defensive identity. At their best, they crash the boards, balance shutting down the perimeter with protecting the rim and are actively swarming passing lanes to create deflections or steals. When OKC play to their potential the team capitalizes on deflections and steals to get out on the fast break and score in transition.
The Thunder defense creates much of their offense. Case in point, OKC rank first in points scored off turnovers, second in second chance scoring and sixth in both fast break and points in the paint scoring.
Comparatively, this Denver squad is easily the most improved defensive team of the season. Like OKC they are adept on the glass and subsequently rank third for second chance points scored and fifth in points in the paint scoring.
Likewise, Denver ranks second in perimeter defense and just below the Thunder (7th) in overall opponent field goal efficiency. Albeit, with so many Nuggets injured it should affect their overall defensive potential.
Key to the Thunder claiming victory could well lie in who wins the rebounding battle and which team is more aggressive at forcing turnovers.
Reserve units:
Denver is one of the deepest squads in the Association. Still, with six players definitely out and half of those core contributors it offers an opportunity for the OKC Thunder.
In particular, the absence of Paul Millsap, Gary Harris and Will Barton mean Denver reserves are being utilized in the starting rotation. In turn, this leaves the Nuggets bench somewhat barren. To offset the injuries Denver signed Nick Young (Swaggy P) who’ll be looking to light up the perimeter.
In recent games, the OKC Thunder reserves have demonstrated more cohesion. Albeit, there is still room for improvement. Nerlens Noel has shown glimpses of producing offensively, but for that to occur Schroder needs to employ him at the rim.
To wit, the German’s lobs and pick and roll sets need work. It’s hard to whine too much about Schroder given how productive he’s been. Especially after two seasons of no lead being safe once Russell Westbrook sat, so having Schroder is a true upgrade. Still, the step up for this OKC squad is nestled in Schroder’s ability to balance his own scoring versus playmaking for his court mates.