The Team NOT Shooting Threes

The Denver Nuggets have consistently been the lowest 3 pt shooting team in the league for quite some time, but have been a top 5 offense for quite some time. We go over what has made them so good for years and what makes this offense unique.
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[@cwj_721]

this just speaks to the absolute brilliance of jokic. to be able to construct a top 5, consistent offense in this era without great spacing is incredible. every team seemingly needs a strong cast of 3&d support but jokic simply makes every player next to him into a layup machine. They basically play at a constant disadvantage on the offensive end but jokic can overcome that and more with just his passing. it's simply incredible.

[@hondomclean6759]

You need to add Westbrook to this comment as this is the culmination of their talents combining

[@thehugtechabuser7813]

​@@hondomclean6759in respects to this season yes, but Jok has been doing it for years in his own regard.

[@Godeau03]

Or Rather it speaks to the lack of basketball in todays NBA, just a bunch of trackers running around without brain.

[@evan.4033]

they still have great spacing, just not great three point shooters. unless youve got an elite rim protecter, gotta play gordan, jokic and westbrook out to the line.

[@cwj_721]

@@hondomclean6759 denver has had this sane offense for years without westbrook

[@keithdubose2150]

And fewer 3s + more fast breaks and cutting offense = more fun to watch

[@BeerAndJoints]

31 per game is still pretty ridicilous, the Warriors shot this many between 2017 and 2019 and they were 1st in attempts back then(JUST 6-7 years ago)

[@keithdubose2150]

@BeerAndJoints you have a point, but it's less than most teams

[@AndreLeitedaSilvaGaldino]

30 is pretty much the baré minunim nowadays. If the nuggets had one better 3 point shooter in Braun, Payton and A.G they could make Those 31 shorts look Very smouth since they shoot the 3 ball in the flow of Their offense.

[@keithdubose2150]

@AndreLeitedaSilvaGaldino the fact the nuggets lead the league in assists is another reason they are fun to watch .. teamwork resulting in high percentage shot much more entertaining than heaving up 3s

[@alvin081988]

The Only Team That doesn't chuck up 40-50 3s yet they can still play Modern and Traditional Basketball.

[@crizzleyo815]

but thats just because jokic is insanely skilled. a center like him doesnt or didnt exist. and he played 11 years for the same franchise with a core that plays around him aswell. their cuts are so well timed. giannis would be another super dominant big but his shooting is so bad he needs players that can space around him. jokic can easily take a 3 or midrange shot

[@para97v]

@@crizzleyo815 no they just play euro ball

[@crizzleyo815]

@@para97v its not just euro ball.. theyre lineup is full of athletic cutter and slasher that rely on athleticism. russ is prob the complete opposite of euroball. but the main reason for sure is joker. whole game runs through a big that can play like a guard.

[@sld1776]

The uncontested layup is the most valuable shot on Basketball. The poorly contested layup is the second most valuable shot. The three is the third-best option. There are so many threes because defenses prioritize protecting the rim.

[@michaelpaullang4401]

Contest layup better than a open 3 ??

[@ghj3fbrhebffeewvarfdca985]

@@michaelpaullang4401to be fair he said a poorly contested layup

[@droppingstreaks2095]

Not really. The mid range is because guarding it is mind games.

[@kjjr3270]

​@@droppingstreaks2095 mid range is the worst valuable shot in basketball

[@droppingstreaks2095]

@@kjjr3270 no it’s not lmao it’s just a lost art. It’s the hardest shot to guard in basketball

[@calebchou]

As a Nugs fan that watches lots of KZbin analysis, the point about why the Nugs lost to bad teams was a good one I haven’t hear. Nice job!

[@jesstiss222]

Yeah but the Nuggets have had at least one of their five starters missing in nearly every game this season, while also trying to develop young guys and incorporate new players (Russ and Dario). I think many of the early losses reflect those instabilities as much as anything schematic or performance-based. The team is just starting to comes into its truest form and it’s freaking gorgeous to watch.

[@darren806]

​@@jesstiss222that is the case for a lot of other teams around the league too, but with how the Nuggets record is looking now they've been one of the best at dealing with it for sure

[@sheyarjames4904]

I like this because it gives Dwnver an identity and a unique playstyle that sepereates them from the rest of teams.

[@danparish1344]

Makes it harder to defend for sure when other teams are optimized at defending the 3.

[@uberneanderthal]

this is why Denver is the only team I enjoy watching. every other game is a 3-point contest and layup drill. Nuggets play actual basketball.

[@cwj_721]

Watch the grizzlies

[@HoChiMinhForTheWinh]

Nuggets "PlAy AcTuAl bAsKetBaLl' Lol! Ha! ↑ Aye nobody tell this k1d that stephen curry and kevin durant existed in 2015 /6 🤣😂🤣😏

[@RobinHood__]

first round exit

[@HoChiMinhForTheWinh]

@ yup! That too!

[@RobertClemann]

@@HoChiMinhForTheWinh How are your Warriors doing now 😂?

[@rozinbars7988]

Malone emphasizes ball movement on offense. Coaching and player development deserves some major credit as well.

[@sffan10]

Layups are still more valuable shots than 3s, but defenses are better at taking away layups than they are at taking away 3s which has led to an explosion of 3P volume. Jokic is the by far the best layup creator not only because he is the best shot creator in the league rn, but also because he is a center. Teams have to use their center to guard him to have any hope of slowing him one on one. This means that when Jokic finds a cutter, the rim protector is never in a position to help.

[@sportschool3537]

All open shots are valuable... analytics is killing the modern players ability to think for themselves and play the game right... it's better to take a wide open 15 foot jumper than a highly contested layup or a contested 3pt shot... the problem is that the analytics guys have told players to never take them so they don't practice them and they can't make them consistently... the stupidity of analytics basketball is baffling... because analytics almost always lose in the playoffs cause in the playoffs the intensity goes up A LOT and finding open shots anywhere on the court is more crucial than ever... so the 3s or layups analytics bullshit goes out the window cause you can't always get those shots... The most valuable shot on every possession is the most wide open one you can find...

[@sffan10]

@ buddy you came to the wrong place to get your anti-analytics rant off.

[@RobinHood__]

analytics noob

[@KB8Killa]

@@sportschool3537thank you!

[@para97v]

@@sportschool3537 you're totally right

[@Rogue_Centurion]

Jokić also commands so much attention and gravity from opposing defenses that cutting lanes open really easily because they are all instinctively inching over to help with guarding Jokić.

[@YunisRajab]

It's really awesome to see Westbrook finally play on a team that fits him for the first time in his career. This is exactly his play style and he didn't have it anywhere else

[@miles6910]

yeah, certainly from this vid it looks like westbook is playing great. haven't watched them a ton to see if it's consistenly this way. that "perfect" triple double a few weeks ago was nice, tho. happy for the guy.

[@RomnysGonzalez]

The Nuggets are the anti today NBA. The Nuggets are quite literally the total opposite of what everyone complaints about the rest of the NBA of today shot chucking. They take at lot less 3's. They take the mid range if is open They do a ton of post ups They cut to the basket They are extremely effective with their 3's. Taking less, but making it They play a very diverse offensive "scheme". I can't even call it scheme because is just Jokic being a master class genius at basketball. The Jokic system is a very variable system that get cuts, layups,short shots,spot ups shots, off screens shots,DHOs,spot up 3's, fast break points,half court lobs,ball movement into the dunker spot. The Nuggets offense is the most diverse,smart and unique in the whole NBA. They don't relay on "Me have ball. Me call for screen. Me drive into the basket. Me kick out to 3PT guy. 3PT guy shoot or pass to the guy next to him for shoot or pass to the other guy on the 3PT line for shoot or pass to the last 3PT guy who take the shot". They don't rely on "We steal the ball. We fastbreak. Me stop at the 3PT line and Me take the 3PT shot" If you are sick of the "today NBA". You should be watching the Nuggets

[@x-man9473]

Correct. I started watching them in 2023 when I noticed their old fashioned fundamental playstyle. They're my favorite team to watch.

[@darren806]

Grizzlies deserve an honourable mention too for unique offenses - no PnRs, not sure about the 3s

[@ljtowers5161]

I can’t believe people actually think Jokic pads his stats. It’s insane. I’ve been watching every single Nuggets games this season and you can tell this man leaves it all on the floor every game and uses his incredible skill and IQ to make his passes and position himself perfectly to get rebounds. A lot of his rebounds aren’t easy especially his offensive rebounds. The definition of stat padding is empty stats that don’t translate into winning yet he’s won a chip playing that way so it makes 0 sense.

[@realone296]

He is anti stat padder, even too unselfish...sometimes he takes like 8 shoots...he could easily averrage 35ppg on great efficiency plus 10 assists...

[@Biid21]

Well, he does. He’ll be in games up 15-20+ with a couple minutes left lol

[@Biid21]

@@realone296no he couldn’t and he’s probably taken 8 shots 3 times lmao

[@tiger35jb]

@@Biid21 your a fucking Lier and you know it.

[@cwj_721]

2:12 this is a pass that nobody else in nba history could even dream of making. simply ridiculous coordination and processing

[@SamuelBlackMetalRider]

That one and so many others… lately that no look behind the head bounce pass to AG for the dunk?!?! WTF was that?!! 🙀

[@daddyfuse50]

​@SamuelBlackMetalRider the assist to Murray for 3 to open the game was far more impressive, but the AG one was more flashy and caught everyone attention. He makes so many technically profound passes, with the use of eye and body manipulation every game ppl really don't get HOW great a passer he is. Hes the GOAT passer and his passing and playmaking is still underrated

[@DETONATEDx]

Don’t get me wrong I love Jokić but I’ve seen Chris Paul and LeBron make difficult passes like this as well, you guys have to stop disrespecting the other greats.

[@darren806]

​@@DETONATEDxjokic consistency on another level tho. I would put Bron at same level (or just below) when he was PG for a season or two

[@light-chemistry]

One of my favourite things about Denver is that they’ve got the lowest 3 pt volume in league but the highest 3 pt %age. Aside from Joker's absurd 3 pt shooting this year (47%) this is because Joker and the cutters draw people into the paint, creating open 3s so even bad 3 pt shooters like Russ, AG, and CB can shoot uncontested 3s

[@jjking8577]

2:57 man that offense is brilliant. Everyone moving , instead of that stagnant OKC ball game . Championship team

[@kely-oneholderk8005]

😂😂 we can take care of your team any day and any time

[@dantecurry207]

@@kely-oneholderk8005We? What number do you wear?

[@andrzejbator6130]

I disagree that three-pointer is the most desirable shot. It's more desirable than post up, but the best is still open or close-to-open layup. Shift towards shooting threes is to open the space for easier layups opportunities. But unless players learn to shoot threes with 10% higher percentage, layup is still the king. Denver's low three-pointers usage proofs that they know how to use the floor space better than any other team.

[@guiwhiz]

The obvious answer is between the Coaching staff and Nikola Jokic the Nuggets are looking for layups. So the first guy even vaguely open on the perimeter; whether there is a rebounder or not chuck it up there style of play is not Denver. If a guy gets the ball in rotation or on a kickout and they are open they'll shoot it obviously and shoot it well. However, the default stance for the offensive scheme is get us a dunk/layup/extremely high percentage floater in the paint. Obviously, it works. They won the NBA Championship while having the lowest 3pt attempt and make numbers of any team in the playoffs. Didn't matter... they also shot the ball like 4% better as a team.

[@clevisbernier8973]

One of the few teams that is watchable

[@tearron]

I love watching the nuggets. The fastbreaks are more exciting to watch

[@sebbensebbenandsebben691]

Say what you will but the Nuggets is the most fun team to watch right now.

[@homomagii]

Nah it’s the thunder

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

You misspelled Charlotte. That team is exciting as hell and definitely going to make some noise in the play in

[@VeryRestarted]

@@jdrmanmusiqkingit’s literally lamelo chucking threes and they’re not even close to making the play in

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

@VeryRestarted You literally dont watch the games

[@homomagii]

@@jdrmanmusiqking he’s right lamelo is a shot chucker and has horrible shot selection

[@ididntaskverified3663]

This is actually the only team in the NBA that's has a varied offfense. Every other team is a pick and roll team

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

This is a very very very very WRONG statement.

[@elmehdinafia1237]

@@jdrmanmusiqkingmake your point if you want people to take you seriously!

[@x-man9473]

​@@jdrmanmusiqkingHe's mostly right.

[@RhysHarris-i8w]

@@x-man9473Have you seen a single Grizzlies game this year? One of the best teams in the West?

[@blankeon6613]

Nuggets are the most fun team to watch. Playing the game how it used to be played instead of spamming 3s.

[@Negatief23]

Can we just pause for a second at 5:29 and realize what a great pass this is? Maybe not too flashy, but there aren’t a lot of players that recognize this pass, let alone give it right on the money!

[@MichaelTiopan]

Where the ball go? 😂😂

[@jesstiss222]

We Nuggets fans are so spoiled with Joker’s curveballs 😊

[@imhimdk1785]

@@jesstiss222now y’all have Russ who been making beautiful passes all season

[@MrKaptainWEST]

Thank you 😂😂 it impressed me too, but I didn't see anyone else point it out

[@do_it_for_content]

Running the clock by driving into the paint, moving the ball, etc, also tires out the other team, which helps relieve the pressure on the defensive end for the nugs

[@markellcain3417]

they got an ATG offensive engine in Jokic makes it all work even without the long ball

[@Cc3430-cj3ye]

NJokic is their system

[@maartenvz]

Thank you Dan!! A much needed voice of reason in a hurricane of echo chamber slander. The Nuggets would be even close to last place in the Euro League with their 3point rate (The Euroleague is not that far behind the NBA in that regard anyway, both in 3p rate and offensive ratings).

[@kodat801]

great video and insight hope to see denver push a deep playoff run this year

[@davidboucher6450]

The Nuggets are a creative team and that's what makes it fun to watch. I hope they win a few more championships so that the league adapts and choose to diversify their offense instead of just turning every game into a 3 points contest.

[@studentlife5000]

We’d be even better if Holmes didn’t get injured so bad. He’s a capable shooter(questionable at NBA level, but still probs better than Nnaji), athletic finisher and rim protector.

[@jesstiss222]

Yes! Daron and Vlatko’s injuries have had a huge impact that no one talks about but its been fascinating to watch the team find great solutions anyway this season and i think next season is going to really promising once Daron enters the lineup!

[@sid6645]

Whats hilarious is that if curry was in the nuggets team then they would have the most 3s in the league. The only reasons jokic has to diversify so hard instead of just gettings 3s is because his team cant hit all the 3s. His post up and close range threat is so insane there is almost always a spot for an open or low contest 3.

[@noahsmith3720]

I really like your videos, especially the little video breakdowns in them. Fun to see you cover the nuggets offense!

[@elvinhayes7120]

Making 2/3 of your 2's beats making 1/3 of your 3's

[@NewEarthSon]

1.3/3 of your 3's=2/3 of your 2's. Same amount of attempts with less makes needed. 3>2.

[@Tony-cp6vu]

this is real basketball

[@dpruittt09]

Why do people say Jokic is a defensive liability when he gets more defensive rebounds than almost anyone? ??

[@coolfellafive]

i’m glad someone is talking about this

[@jesstiss222]

This is the chillest explanation of one of the most exciting things in modern basketball i’ve seen. 😅

[@capnjackYT]

1:03 is insane lmao

[@virtualrealityfitness283]

That’s why the Nuggets are fun to watch!

[@jjking8577]

3:03 seriously when was the last time you see a team have this much action (off ball movement) going on?

[@brianjantambispaghubasan6921]

I think GSW's championship years.

[@notmytruthTHEtruth]

GSW 2015-2022, Spurs 2011-2014, Suns 2005-2010

[@raymondqiu8202]

It seems complex but it's really just some off ball screens and cutting. Most teams should be able to implement it. And before people talk about needing the right people and personnel, you really telling me nba players can't set some screens and make some cuts?

[@x-man9473]

​@@raymondqiu8202They can. They're just lazy.

[@sportschool3537]

@@raymondqiu8202 Unfortunately yes, many of them can't... because most players nowadays grow up in the AAU system which is literally an individual talent showcase and not actual basketball teams, so their fundamentals are DOGSHIT... players these days grow up and don't learn team basketball at all... all they know is how to be flashy when they have the ball, but away from the ball? Nope... nothing... and the fact that coaches in the NBA aren't allowed to coach because their sensitive diva superstars will have them fired or demand a trade is a huge part of it too... Mike Malone has the privilege of having Jokic as a star, a guy that has grown up in Serbia being chewed by coaches daily and knows that this is the only way to get better, but American stars have grown up in AAU being told how great they are and being pampered day and night... really... outside of Malone and Spoelstra (and Pop really) is there another coach that is allowed to chew up his players when they fuck up without consequences? I don't think so... Anyway, the NBA is supposed to be "the most talented it's ever been" but in terms of real basketball knowledge NBA players are at an all time low cause they can do fancy dribble step back jumpers but they can't do the most basic basketball actions well enough... it's tragic really... having zero fundamentals... most players are more street ballers than basketball pros these days...

[@safareto2453]

I would love to see you breaking down why the Suns have been so bad this year, especially when it comes to their insistence on letting Beal handle the ball as much as they have

[@mamadoubarrie6607]

I really like the vid, u should also talk about the grizzles offense like how its about attack space and lack of screen use

[@wh-te_m-le]

4:13 bro really called Him Westbrick

[@Blake-lt4gi]

Jokic is not a liability on defense, he's fourth in the league in steals, he just doesn't offer much rim protection until late in the game when he doesn't have to worry about fouls. He is also a great rebounder on the defensive glass. Something else that factors in is something you mentioned in this video: 1) teams have to run around and expend a lot of energy on defense when guarding all the cuts and screens the Nuggets run on offense, which limits their power on the other end, and 2) Jokic is so good at controlling the pace of the game and keeping possession on offense that it ends up limiting the number of possessions and therefore chances other teams have to score. He doesn't offer the same defensive boons that most centers do but he's Nikola Jokic, he's one of a kind.

[@HFH-Official]

I've seen this offense before. This is a variation of the triangle offense. And it's very effective.

[@sambasivasingaraju2857]

Hey Dan, can you talk about Rockets and their absolutely puzzling season. They are consistent in how confusing they are every game.

[@danparish1344]

It’s game theory 101. If all the teams are built around shooting and defending the three, you can exploit this.

[@NewEarthSon]

Sure... If the teams your playing are bad to average shooting 3 point teams. if they are The Cavs, than your toast.

[@Nikola-yo6yf]

They didnt stop shoting threes intentionaly it was their GM Booth who didnt get any 3pt shoters

[@InvenireCebu]

ohh. thats why they always win on overtime. make sense

[@ir0nfistalex]

Where's the video on the Rockets being 2nd in the west and 3rd in power rankings halfway through the season

[@lawbinson]

They still have the threat of 3s. Jokic is super high percentage from there so even though he doesn’t shoot many, they still have to play him away from the rim.

[@JigsawBell]

They are going to reach the Finals.

[@Julio_14_]

Denver is now the Spurs 2.0

[@MichaelTiopan]

5:29 Bro im looking for the ball just like miami😂😂😂😂 porter open 3 eh?

[@guybartlett9587]

Jokic is a defensive liability? 4th in steals and a great offensive rebounder and mucho deflections im sicknof hearing it!

[@ivanivanovski1]

Wait isn’t Jokic the guy with the highest 3P percentage at the moment?

[@elizabethgeorge168]

No, that's Sabonis at 49%. But in fairness, Joker has shot over 150 compared to Sabonis at just 93.

[@jonathanchan1365]

but so sad their gm is trash

[@Zemlja_je_ravna]

Yeah terrible, 2 years he did nothing, got a lucky draft and that's it. Even if they win championship it will be on the heavy back of Jokic, but it could have been much easier.

[@davydignatenko8651]

not so, in last games they start finding themselves, and Jamal is waking up

[@power123-05]

Booth is solid picking up talent. Sadly he's trash when giving contracts. (Saric & Zeke contracts are god awful). It really makes you think he should be a scout instead of being a GM.

[@sffan10]

Not just a bad GM, bad ownership. You have the best player in the world and the best player your franchise has ever had. You have to pay the tax and keep KCP.

[@Zemlja_je_ravna]

@ Braun is good replacement. People forget that Denver have 3 star players.

[@screamingbanana4391]

Officially a Denver fan 🫡

[@mayankkulshreshtha6322]

jamal murray is a great shooter man!! chill w that LOLL

[@JimDogJF]

This offense scales best to the playoffs. 3s are more contested and % will go down, if the opponent plays normal playoff defense. These inside plays will also be more contested, but by doing so, the 3 comes wide open. It’s always best to be able to score from anywhere on the court…

[@jonbanta1225]

I think they should sign Ben Simmons in free agency

[@sffan10]

If Jokic can revive Simmons’ career, he might be the GOAT.

[@chief8268]

Reminds me of lakers 2020

[@jun2467]

The ironic thing is, Jokic is 2nd in 3 pointer FG%. Bro is the only reason why the Nuggets aren't bottom of the league rn

[@Robert53area]

You can get a 68 percent 2 pointer and a 50 percent and one by attacking the basket. You have at best averaging all teams three point percentages. At best is only 31 percent for the league from three point. The 2 pointer is the higher percentage shots currently with how loose defense is played.

[@jaymoney522]

You gotta shoot over 60% from 2pt to beat a team that shoots 40% from three. But if you're efficient enough you can make any shot work.

[@HoChiMinhForTheWinh]

MAy I please get the names of the songs you used in this video?

[@тристанДерден]

so many moving screens! sometimes I think Idk the rules)

[@mikeonawave821]

Do you think they should trade for zach lavine

[@cloudwalker9572]

they are short on pieces but trading mpj or murray for lavine could be a good thing

[@KmtS9]

See, you really don't need to take this many 3s. All you need is the best player in basketball! 😅 Daniel Li strikes again with the education! Bruh, the pass at 1:50. Filthy.

[@BraelanEdwards]

Let the nuggets find a Giannis type of player in one of these drafts.. it’ll be scary in Denver

[@NoName-tu6qi]

I really wonder what would happen if you put a bunch of true 3&D players around Jokic? He has already proven he can win a chip with decent to below average three point shooting and above average point of attack defense. So what heights him and his team could reach if he had a team optimized around his strengths and weaknesses like Tatum or Ja do for example?

[@realone296]

How is Jokic defensive liabillity if Denver is ALWAYS, EVERY SEASON better on defense with him on the floor(usually top 5)...Is it his fault that the defense is bad when he is OFF the floor?😂 Jokic being a bad defender is a LIE, that lazy ESPN mainstream media created...he is great just like Marc Gasol was...defense is more than just blocks!

[@ChickenOfTheCaveMan]

I feel like Murray is the only one that doesn't play Denver basketball, Denver is for active, logical and easy plays where everybody contributes, and Murray is for iso and flashy plays. Ever since he has lost a step because of age and injuries, his individual brand of plays is failing the Nuggets.

[@jimmywalker8354]

I have always said this about the he makes teammates better statement. With LeBron, you only hear it, with Jokic you actually see it.

[@JoiRandom]

There’s no other big men in the league ..

[@d0mitronfr]

FIRST, I LOVE YOU DANIEL

[@140acresretired7]

The amount of defensive rebounds and steals Jokic gets make him any but a liability. Have to watch the games to see the impact of that kind of stuff.

[@scottallen8982]

Such a good video til he said Jokic was a defensive liability. Just outs himself as a casual

[@Hamzethegoat]

They actually got 3 great shooters starting they just don’t chuck up lots of threes individually in any other offense Murray Porter n Jokic would shoot close to 10 threes a game based on their efficiency

[@supune]

Without KCP they can't defend the perimeter drives or close out and help back. They also lost his clutch shooting. Braun and Watson can defend but don't have the experience to anticipate like a vet yet and their shooting isn't clutch yet

[@matthewmorrissey3571]

If you include jokic, they have three great shooters

[@shadowgrandmaster]

But the Celtics chuck 3 pointers like there's no tomorrow. They live by the 3!

[@MrBillFletcherr]

He was cheated out of the 4th MVP. CHECK ALL THE STATS FOR THAT YEAR.

[@cupiddstunt]

You had me interested until 8.05 when you came out with “Jokic being a defensive liability”, that is where you showed yourself as nothing more than a basic media sycophant and regurgitator of media bullshit. A brain dead, repeat the moron media ‘churn’ who actually does not really see the game. If you stop just a single score but win the game then you have out defended the opposition, and Jokic’s game out defends the opposition every game. Go and listen to the Gobert - Edwards dressing room interview where they are astounded at the fact that on a Timberwolves possession Jokic was calling out and positioning his team mates to DEFEND the play, and the Timberwolves had not even CALLED OUT THAT PLAY but Jokic was setting up the defence for it. He did that simply by observing how the opposition was positioning themselves. Now that is elite defence that can never be categorised on any stat sheet, absolutely unequivocally un-statable elite defence. You are now in my eyes, a thumbs down ‘to be avoided clown’.

[@kochenkkhochenk3902]

Most of these brainless people define defense just being shot blocker and being hustle in 1 vs 1 situation, that's how they define defense. They're so stupid to understand the most important thing in defense was read the opponent's offense, scheme, and how they're commonly distributed the ball, which is Jokic one of the best to understand all of these. it's 5 vs 5 most of the times and sometimes 1 vs 1. But these brainless fans only care about 1 vs 1 situation and fancy block

[@cowbaby]

Right on! Team defense is the king nobody knows. Team defense wins championships. Denver plays it and most fans don't see it. They are rolling it out now and will steadily improve until they are peaking into the playoffs. That defense is one of their strong points. Go Nuggets!

[@cloudwalker9572]

A bit harsh but true on your part, Jokic isn't one of the best guarding his man (he ain't bad, it's just not one of his highlights) but that offense IQ is definitely transfered to the opponents offense. Jokic knows to orchestrate an offense and that works for his offense and the opponents offense.

[@cupiddstunt]

@ Is he the most visually active defender? NO I think Jokic simply accepts the laws of nature and puts most effort into what gives the best results. He only has a limited amount of energy per game and Jokic putting more energy into defending could detract from his attack. Which is why I say calling him a ‘defensive liability’ shows huge ignorance of his game as a whole.

[@Clerence999]

its the horrible inside the paint defense that every other team play

[@johnhuston650]

Zion will work well with Jokic.

[@nirvanachile24]

8:13 I think you mean "regressed"

[@paulkern7229]

If it weren't for the Nuggets, I wouldn't watch professional basketball. Real playmaking instead of just one pass, jack up a three.

[@godroller6365]

rooting for nuggets but this did not age well, they just lost to bulls because of 3s even though they had more points in the paint

[@Justin_R20]

Every now and then a trash team like the bulls will win a game off sheer luck. They shot damn near 60 threes and had a lucky anomaly of a game

[@Justin_R20]

He addressed this point in the video at 7:25

[@amadoanthonyiiimendoza3646]

SGA will probably win MVP, but Jokic is still the best player in the world.

[@chrishall2837]

Couldn’t teams just run a zone against the Nuggets and it would take away a lot of their paint points?

[@rogerioferreiradossantoser5780]

They know how to play against zone defense. And Jokic by himself can destroy zones easily

[@blazefactor6849]

Problem is, Jokic is maybe the best zone-breaker to ever exist. Getting him to the middle of the floor is effectively instant death because the zone can't reliably double such a good passer without collapsing their scheme and creating wide open looks. Yes, it reduces some of the paint points, but even the Nuggets with their weaker shooters can still knock down 40% of their wide-open threes without too much of an issue.

[@schrodinger6991]

unfortunetly they are not good enough to beat the cavs or the thunder :(.

[@2-Way-GlueGuy]

Imagine jokic with a capable….Bill Russell level domination. Don’t @ me jokic is the best offensive basketball player ever and it isn’t close.

[@纽约失眠人]

Replacing Zeke Nnaji’s stupid contract to yabusele + a shooter and Denver would absolutely have the best offense in the nba, too bad their Gm is a bum

[@aiirizzy2862]

rockets vid

[@AndresGomez-ct7qb]

"Dominating" is a bit of a stretch, but okay

[@NewEarthSon]

Denver offensive rating at the half way point (41 games played) of the 2024-2025 regular season as of 1/21/2025 is number 4. So The data supports your video that you can win a chip with this offense in the 3 Ball Revolution era which Denver did already. The issue with Denver that makes them "pretenders" and not "contenders" is their defense. Currently they are rank 15 in defensive rating which is average. Sure they won in 2023 being ranked 5 in offensive rating and 15 in defensive rating. However, NBA history shows they were an outlier! Since modern NBA basketball aka when 3 point line was added to the NBA, most teams that win the title are minimum top 11 in either offensive rating or defensive rating with the other category being a minimum of top 5. The teams that fit these category's at the moment are: 1 Cavaliers 2 Celtics 3 Thunder 4 Rockets 5 Grizzlies These are the true contenders for the 2024-2025 NBA Title. Also Notice these are the top seeds in their respective conferences currently. East West 1 Cavaliers 1 Thunder 2 Boston 2 Rockets 3 Grizzlies Out of all the NBA Finals played in NBA history, seeds 1, 2 and 3, make up a total of 97.4% of the Champions. Denver Nuggets were the number 1 Seed in the West in the year 2022-2023 when they won! Currently they are number 4.

[@cowbaby]

They won with the 2nd best defensive rating in the playoffs. You must have missed that. You are trying to equate regular season stats to playoffs. Obviously the team on your list that stands out is Boston with massive playoff experience. With stats you can sound really knowledgeable without understanding basketball. Best of luck. I successfully bet history for years. I quit doing it now. It works best in the regular season. Unless you use playoff history. Interesting stats though.

[@NewEarthSon]

@@cowbaby Regular Season is a larger sample Size and a better indicator of how good a team is. Also regular season allows for a better comparison across different years, decades and eras of Basketball Between different teams that played different opponents and different styles of Basketball. Finally Regular Season stats help to identify anomalies/ outliers and thus help better to better guide in what questions to ask on a particular team and finally form a conclusion on why a certain team failed or succeeded. Using playoffs is not good data since low sample size and has random variance. For Example, what made the Nuggets The "2nd best defensive rating in the playoffs." in 2022-2023 NBA Season Playoffs? Was it a specific player that they obtained late in the season by trade or return from injury? Was it a Lack of Interest and some how they "turned it on" because Jokic got that Dog in Him and he is "HIM" LOL . Or was it the refs aiding his team? Anyone who Seen that playoff season can tell you that it was the same roster all year round and that The Nuggets played weak opponents in the playoffs on a run to a title. They played two 8 seeds, one 7 seed and one 4th seed. So we can conclude that the "2nd best defensive rating in the playoffs" came because of playing weaker inferior opponents. Statistics 101 P.S. stats over "experience" or "who wanted it more"/"Who got da Dog in Him"/"Who is HIM" As the old saying goes, Men lie, Women Lie, Numbers do not. Also Denver has the lowest attempts of 3's in the NBA. Basketball is a 3 point game. If they were to make it out the west, a team like the Cavs would obliterate their average defense with 3 point volume on high percentages. Cavs right now are attempting 40 3s a game and almost getting 40 percent from them. Thats a percent each attempt they are getting offense from! INCREDIBLE and their record right now shows that. Even a team like Boston that's struggling right would beat Denver because of high 3 point attempts ( 50 a game) even though they are league average in percentage 36% , Celtics style of play is more conducive to winning than the nuggets since the Celtics style provides more spacing and offensive rebounds opportunities. Nuggets would have to pray Cavs and Celtics go cold over a 7 game series and that's less likely to happen with a 7 game format since shooting is a skill and a team getting to the finals with the Cavs/ Celtics "Mazzulla Ball" approach means they are good at it and they convert their 3's with proof being the large sample size of the regular season.

[@ernestnicholas7043]

​@@NewEarthSon Shut up, you are an idiot trying to sound smart. Denver already won a championship and is gonna be the 2nd seed this year.

[@NewEarthSon]

@@ernestnicholas7043 whats the matter? Mafff makkkk caveman brain urt? lol

[@JimDogJF]

Their defense will be played differently in the playoffs, as it was in 2023. Check out their 4th quarter defense this year, which is the only quarter they lock down and play this defense. They learned from last year, playing this way exhausts the team if they play it throughout. Wait for the playoffs, then judge. They’ve held several teams to sub 20 point 4th quarters this year.

[@stevenundisclosed6091]

And this is why Denver has no chance of winning the championship this season.

[@cjp1599]

Around 8:20 you lost all credibility.