Nikola Jokic reveals the toughest NBA matchups he struggles to play against

1 month ago 20

For a long time, Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has been one of the toughest players to defend in the league. While he is not the most athletic player, he is big enough to overpower opponents, and he pairs that with one of the most impressive skill sets amongst NBA players.

With his resume, Jokic has cemented himself as one of this generation's best players. Most defenders would agree that he is a tough matchup, but that does not mean that he dominates every time. Jokic himself would admit that he struggles against certain players, which is the best challenge for him to tackle.

Nikola Jokic reveals the players who give him trouble

With Jokic's unique profile, he is one of the toughest players to guard. Of course, his big frame helps him post up defenders, which helps him overpower the opponent. At the same time, he has some deceptive quickness, which helps him one-up his matchups whenever he has the ball.

Apart from his one-on-one ability, Jokic is also one of the league's best-ever playmakers. Even if he gets stopped, he can find a way to pass the ball to players who are ready to score. That is what makes him such a tough matchup because he is a multi-dimensional offensive player.

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Of course, Jokic is one of the most dominant players, but he does admit that he struggles from time to time. He has even admitted the names of certain players who have made his life miserable on the court.

"Who guards me the best? Everybody! The league is just as talented defensively as it is offensively. Ivica Zubac and Jusuf Nurkic, they’re chubby like me, so it’s hard for me to move them. Rudy Gobert. I know people say all kinds of things about him, but I think he’s a great defender," Jokic said about NBA-level defenders on the Jaomile Podcast.

"Jalen Duren from Detroit, Wendell Carter Jr., they’re smaller and tough to deal with. The entire Oklahoma City team... Victor Wembanyama."

Jokic has continued to dominate the league, but it is not a cakewalk because defenders are ready for him. In fact, a lot of teams have created systems intent on stopping him, which is why he said that the entire Oklahoma City Thunder team is one of the toughest matchups for him.