Which player is actually ‘best’ at guarding Nikola Jokic
For whatever reason before the WCF in 2023, there was a conception that Anthony Davis does very well against Nikola Jokic however that narrative has completely flipped.
I’ve seen Nurkic, Ayton, Draymond and Gobert mentioned before but the facts (stats) seem untrue.
While there might not be a Jokic stopper, is there an actual player that defends Jokic well to the point of keeping him to or below his averages?
Dwight Howard did a great job. Jokic will always get his numbers but Dwight made him work for it and made it harder to create for others.
Unbelievable no one gave the correct answer: It’s the thunder from down under, Jock Landale
You literally the only person who said it wow
Dwight Howard.
Davis actually did ok against Jokic in the playoffs. His efficiency was down around 50% when guarded by Davis, as opposed to 60+ otherwise.
That’s what relative success against Joker looks like.
Gotta show me the stats cause jokic destroyed AD, they only guarded him well when Lebron or rui were the main defenders with AD roaming
The refs
Dwight Howard did decent guarding him during the bubble run
Lol who said AD did well against Jokic? Dudes gotten bodied 5 games in a row now
AD vs Jokic : Jokic win
BUBBLE AD vs Jokic : Bubble AD
Jokic had one of his 2 worst series last year against the Lakers. He always gets his, but the Lakers limited him about as much as the Wolves did. No one’s ever gonna hold him to 21 PPG on mediocre efficiency or something.
I still think AD made him work quite hard last playoff series.
Mitch Robinson
KAT is actually good at guarding him for some reason
I think its because his feet are so slow
Howard did great against him! Id be curious to watch steven adams against him.
Feel like Sabonis does better than he should
It’s really more about the team defensive and team scheme more than an individual guy locking up Joker one on one. Jokic literally averages basically a triple double against Wendell in his career so to say he’s the best Jokic defender is a little silly but also reflects the fact that nobody is really stopping him one on one for a full game.
There are guys who can do so for some possessions, and those guys tend to have strong bases, use leverage well without being too handsy, and also agile enough to keep up with Joker’s moves. There’s not a lot of players who fit those descriptions.
Capela has done a decent job though relative to Jokic’s averages against everyone, on Joker. He’s got quick hips and though he isn’t the absolute strongest center, he’s very long and very good postionally. He doesn’t bite on fakes much, whereas your average big man will on Joker’s.
Dwight “Gimmie the D” Howard gave him the most trouble in the bubble
I have a memory that having both Adams and JJJ on the floor was alright but the stats probably don’t back it up. He’s unreal.
When a guys banging you like Jokic, it’s hard.