The Denver Nuggets, with their incredible offensive firepower led by superstar Nikola Jokić, have consistently been one of the NBA’s most exciting teams. Last season (2024-25), they showcased their scoring prowess even further, but surprisingly, their defense took a noticeable step backward. This shift presents a critical challenge for the team as they aim for championship glory. The big question for the upcoming season is how their new players will integrate and help shore up the defense, alongside adjustments to Jokić’s defensive game.
📊 Offense Shines, Defense Falters
The Denver Nuggets have consistently boasted one of the league’s top offenses for years, largely thanks to Nikola Jokić, who is not only a highly efficient scorer but also an incredible passer. Last season saw their offense reach new heights, with Jokić averaging career bests in points (29.6) and assists (10.2). However, their defense took a worrying step backward, falling to 21st in the league from a top-10 position in previous years. This defensive slip was particularly noticeable when Jokić was on the court, as opponents scored significantly more points against them compared to the previous season. One major concern was his rim protection, which was the lowest of his career, allowing opponents to shoot 70% at the basket when he was guarding it.
🛡️ Tackling Pick-and-Roll Difficulties
A significant defensive challenge for the Nuggets involved their pick-and-roll defense, especially when Jokić was defending the screener. Last season, the team allowed a high number of points in these situations, a considerable drop from their previous performance. This is crucial because Jokić is involved in a high percentage of ball-screen plays. While Jokić prefers to defend aggressively at the screen, rather than dropping back, this strategy requires strong teamwork. His teammates need to quickly rotate to cover his man when he steps out. Unfortunately, the team’s ability to protect the paint against rolling big men when Jokić was out on the perimeter wasn’t as effective as it had been in earlier seasons.
✨ New Faces Bring Defensive Promise
To address these defensive gaps, the Nuggets made some key changes during the offseason. They brought in Cam Johnson and Bruce Brown, who are expected to boost their defensive capabilities, while Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook, who played significant minutes last season, moved on. Additionally, Jonas Valančiūnas was acquired to provide a strong backup for Jokić at center. Johnson’s ability to help inside the paint and quickly recover to his own man will be vital, especially as he takes over responsibilities for tagging screeners. Brown’s skill in navigating screens effectively will also be crucial in preventing opponents from easily creating scoring chances and forcing defensive rotations.
🏆 The Road Ahead for Denver
Despite the defensive challenges last regular season, the Nuggets still showcased their playoff potential by pushing the strong Thunder team to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals. With Nikola Jokić, arguably the best player in the world, the Nuggets possess a significant advantage over many opponents. However, for them to truly contend for a championship, improving their defense, particularly their pick-and-roll coverage and overall team rotations, is essential. If Jokić can refine his defensive play and his new teammates provide the much-needed support, the Nuggets are poised to finish strong in the Western Conference and become an even tougher team to beat in the postseason.
