We announced it yesterday in a preview as one of the great dangers surrounding the duel between the Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors; and it was fulfilled.
We all know Nikola Jokic doesn’t have a ‘defense’ that can completely cancel him out. Giving him benefits is also not a good idea. But that’s exactly what GSW looks like right now: easy to score.
With the same name and system, one of Steve Kerr’s priorities in implementing his defensive plan is to draw a blocking outside line to prevent the ball from reaching the painted area in a comfortable position. Because that’s where things get complicated.
No more Andrew Bogut, a Draymond Green of his own primoa fantastic Kevin Durant on the assist or a Kevon Looney with knees to shoot. The San Francisco team lacks centimeters, intimidators and heavy opponents to escape from home and away games. So attacking him with balls to the post is one of the best possible strategies in this 2024/25 season.
There’s no telling what will happen if Nikola Jokic is up front.
APPROPRIATE SHOT SHEET
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Golden State is the NBA team that shoots the most between 5 and 9 feet from the rim (1.5 to 2.7 meters), that is, between the restricted area and the center of the bottle. A total of 13.2 field goal attempts per game, which is the fifth team that suffered the most opponent success in actions from distance (46.2%).
Mike Malone was clear last night and wasn’t scoffing at experiments or moves of genius. Jokic knew what was there and solved the problem in a big way, reaching 38 points and 10 rebounds (+23 in +/-), moving freely in the opponent’s territory.
The Serbian distributes the ball from the low post and finds almost no opposition when he wants to fall into the “pain zone” of the Warriors, whether blocking or executing (as a passer/finisher) the shot pick and roll.
He also shined on the other end, causing several steals that turned into quick turnover points.
And there are five of them
The final touch came in one of the last acts of the game, because with the Warriors one basket away from equalizing, Jokic stood up to Kuminga and blocked him in a great way, ending a beautiful and balanced game, but that, at the same time, four previous games, they finished behind Steve Kerr’s team (119-115), added their fifth consecutive defeat and moved them from the leadership of the West, where they were not many days ago.
Despite and despite the defeat, the Warriors are in the next stage of the NBA Cup, because they have done their homework before, which the Nuggets have not done, and for whom this victory is not enough to qualify for the quarterfinals.