Can anyone stop Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets?

Nikola Jokic had one of the best playoff series of the decades against the Phoenix Suns in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals, averaging 35 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists per game. This detailed film breakdown & scouting report breaks down how Jokic has dominated in the first rounds with his scoring, playmaking and understanding off opposing defenses, and how his 2-man game with Jamal Murray is so difficult to defend.

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Twitter: @elgee35

Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.

Music by AlterEgo (Lost)

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#nbaplayoffs

[Cajanek]

My favorite part about watching Jokic play is he'll absolutely cook the best players on earth, then jog back on defense with no expression other than sometimes making a face like he has mild heartburn

[zrk]

Best player in the world. Can’t believe he was getting torched for losing to the Warriors by himself last year

[SP-ikcc]

When you watch Jokic‘ artistry broken down like this, all you can do is shake your head in disbelief and admiration

[Soosss]

As someone who’s watched nearly every game jokic has played, this is the absolute peak of his powers. He is playing damn near perfect offensively and has stepped up defensively as well, I cannot believe how much of a high level he is playing at right now. Really hopes he gets his ring this year

[alove]

Jokic makes everyone around him better. My basketball IQ has increased just by watching him play. It must be crazy to play on his team.

[sneaksies]

people were calling jokic a playoff choker when the last time before this season the nuggets were healthy they made it to the wcf... i seen some jokic slander over the past 2 seasons that ill never forgive

[hb-robo]

Denver roster construction is really something. Porter and KCP are absolutely elite cutters.

[VoltaDoMar]

One of the most unique players ever. A big, heavy 7' center with less than exceptional footspeed, and they run Iverson cuts for him, and it works. He's the most unsolvable problem in the league today.

[tdsm]

So happy for YouTubers like you. The media can only talk about KD this CP that. New media appreciates the sport properly

[jamesmarshall]

As a Suns fan once again it sucks watching us get destroyed again but I'm not nearly as mad as last year. I thought Denver was the better team coming in, was close but thought they were still better, so not surprised we lost. The other reason I'm not mad, there were times Jokic was just doing things where I couldn't get mad, I just had to give it to him. Ayton caught a lot of flack this series, a lot of it deserved, but there were times he was defending Jokic well and it didn't matter, Jokic was just going to make a great play and there wasn't anything anyone could do. Jokic is one of those players that I enjoy watching so even though he was dissecting the Suns I couldn't help but appreciate his game. Couldn't get too upset over a guy who they really had no answers for, better team won and the best player on the floor played amazing almost every game.

[rudysantana]

Davis playing like the best defender in the NBA vs Jokic running this unstoppable offense. We are in for a good one

[jonathanchen]

Jokic shoots with both hands up, that’s almost 10 ft high! He shoots with high projectile arc that is like missile precision! Hard to guard!

[hamzaquadri]

Watching the nuggets reminds me of the spurs when timmy, manu, and tp. Just fluid rhythmic basketball. It's beautiful.

[emmandiaz]

Despite being labelled unathletic and slow, jokics offball movement is so good its often overlook everyone talks about his passing, nice to see someone recognizes jokics movement and how he gets open

[KaiMaiBrei]

The Denver Nuggets play the most beautiful basketball I’ve ever seen

[CrrCrer]

This has got to be one of the best videos breaking down Jokic's genius that I've ever seen. Using the Matrix analogy was pure genius as well lol as that is a perfect way to describe Jokic's game. He sees everything in slow motion and its almost like he is just 2 or 3 steps ahead of everyone else. He knows what the defender is going to do before the defender even knows what he's going to do. He is a pure basketball artist. And yet he gets an unbelievable amount of hate for being "slow" and "unathletic". The dude is the face of the league and the league flat out doesn't want it. It's unforgivable at this point. Hope he brings Denver its first championship. He flat out deserves it more than just about anyone else in the playoffs. Greatest center I've ever seen in my lifetime, flat out.

[GH_Ty]

Jokic is my favourite player of all time so if he wins a ring this year after all the doubt and hate throughout these past seasons I can die a happy man

Been following him since 2016 when I was in grade 6 so to see him at this crazy apex where he’s the best player in the league is surreal

[VladimirElliot]

Masterful performance. As an Embiid fan, I must concede. This man Jokic is the best

[F_E_A_Rise]

This video combined with Gilbert Arenas reminding people that Jokic looks over everyone have finally helped me make sense of it - he is basically playing with an NBA2K view of the court and also has all the moves to execute that vision of what's in front of him. Now i finally understand. 🙌🏿

[averyrestless]

Perkins' campaign to say Jokic's greatness was racially motivated is one of the greatest injustices in league history. This man IS our 3-time MVP and it never should have been a discussion.