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?

  • Sharcbait@fediverser.communick.devB
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    1 year ago

    When the Wolves play against the Nuggets at full strength, KAT is usually the primary defender on Jokic not Rudy. It frees Rudy to keep Gordon off offensive boards and he can rotate to help against cutters.

    Not saying KAT is going to stop Jokic, just saying anyone who thinks Gobert does is wrong.

    • Slim-Ticket@fediverser.communick.devB
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      1 year ago

      Yeah KAT is the primary defender which allows Rudy to roam. But since Rudy is guarding the paint in general, I’d still count that as defending Jokic too because his rim deterrence can make Jokic take more tough jumpers and midrange (but ofc Jokic still makes those too lol). It’s the KAT-Rudy system

      But no one can stop Jokic