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Given that it's often been quite a divisive topic in the past, what's the current general consensus on Nikola Jokic's defensive level? Is he a weakness, a positive, or somewhere in the middle? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by honestnbafan@alien.top to c/nba@nba.space

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Denver last playoffs and this regular season so far have shown another level of defense to in the past playing at a borderline top 5 level in both instances

However many still view Jokic's rim protection as a major issue and simply think Denver have done a good job of hiding this

Personally I'd probably say he's obviously not All Defense level or anything but at this point is probably someone between a neutral and moderate positive overall

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[–] SeeingThings123@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

He’s not good on the perimeter and not good in the paint, the bulk of defense.

I love Jokic and think very highly of his offense more than probably most people, but idk why we have to try to convince ourselves he’s a good defender.

He provides just enough value with defensive rebounding and quick hands to not be an overall net negative on these last two specific rosters…but in a vacuum, no he’s not a “good defender”.

I view it as, if I plopped Jokic on a roster without great perimeter defenders like KCP, Brown, Braun, Gordon, MPJ and without solid enough rim protectors like Gordon and MPJ, how glaring would his weaknesses be then?

It is still objectively a weakness of his that you have to build around so that he can more easily provide the value that he DOES bring.