While Denver Nuggets All-Star center Nikola Jokic is often praised for is savant-like skills on offense, the Serbian big man is also frequently criticized for his lack of intimidation on defense, including poor rim protection and overweight appearance.
Through a handful of games into the 2019-20 NBA season, opponents are shooting 80% at the rim when being primarily guarded by Jokic (h/t Reddit).
That figure is by far the worse among qualified players competing in over 30 minutes a night and having to defend more than four shots at the rim each game.
Jokic has been considered in the MVP race last year and will undoubtedly be a big name in the candidacy this season, but for the Nuggets the lack of rim protection is a serious concern. Denver, the 2018-19 season's No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, lost in seven games to the Portland Trail Blazers in the semi-finals due in part to the clever tricks guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum can maneuver to get to the basket—and once there—score at ease.
The Nuggets attempted to partially remedy the issue in the offseason by acquiring twitchy, athletic power forward Jerami Grant from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 25-year-old is a responsible defender and much-needed in Denver's scheme given how selecting Michael Porter Jr. in the first round last year didn't pan out due to back surgery preventing the true freshman to play last season.
Part of the problem could be solved, though, with Jokic learning the fundamentals of defense and better protecting the rim himself. Sometimes the most obvious problems are the hardest to solve, however.
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