How the Wolves clamped the Nuggets

How did the Minnesota defense slow down Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the Nuggets offense to advance to the 2024 Western Conference Finals? This detailed film breakdown & scouting report explores their scheme to stop Jokic, adjustments throughout the series, Game 7 comeback, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Defensive player of the Year Rudy Gobert and more.

NB: The final bar chart is with Nikola Jokic on the floor

Twitter: @elgee35

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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 Nemesis (instrumental)

#ThinkingBasketball

[miloobrzut]

"They got KD but we got Jaden McDaniels" is a quote that will go down in history

[tekkenman]

Kat deserves all the praise. He stepped up big time in game 7.

[lawbinson]

This series was a masterclass in Basketball tactics and strategy.

[alang]

The level of missed open 3 shots by Denver was extremely surprising. Also, Jokic played almost the whole of game 7. The nuggets lack of shooting and depth was the huge problem

[SB-inrw]

47 minutes Jokic, while 3 centers switch on him, Minesota did a good job tactically, defensively and overall. Malone should have rested Jokic more, when they had 20 points lead that was the perfect time. But the bench is non existant anyway... even starters were terrible. They miss Bruce Brown and Jeff Green a lot. How could you expect to play so many playoff games with only 2 big guys? (Jokic and AG)

[disappointedant]

I was so disappointed when Draymond kept criticizing Gobert’s defense as if he could do better 1 on 1 against Jokic. Both of them are SYSTEM defenders that shine most when their rosters are communicating and working off eachother, but I guess that’s Draymond for ya.

[lawbinson]

Denver not even fouling with 45 seconds left speaks to how defeated they felt.

[dylanbach]

Even though so many of the games were blowouts, this series was on par with the bubble Celtics vs Raptors series in terms of back and forth adjustments from Stevens and Nurse. Definitely need a third rendition of this next year once the Nuggets make their roster adjustments and Timberwolves face the wrath of the CBA with NAW extension and Mcdaniels contract kicks in to see who really runs the north west division

[e.r.a]

In the 90's I use to crave for some beautiful offence, never imagine how beautiful would be to see or watch some nice defence... back to the basics..! I love it..!

[usamabinobama]

The transformation of this Timberwolves team since last season is incredible!! The times when the Rudy Gobert trade was seen as an all-time fleece is way past us now. Love this team and the intense ball pressure they bring on defense!!

[roy]

6:14 gobert pushing naz reid into jokic preventing space making over naz reid. Great defence

[barbershopchop]

Thinking Basketball uploads, I click. That simple.

[agirennei]

Respect for breaking this one down as well 🫡

[alofbaui]

All that said and done their bench scored 13 and nuggets bench had 5. That's your game. Losing Bruce brown was devastating. He was a major force off the bench for them last year.

[michael-vbh]

mike conley played an important part in this series as well, his ability to make smart and unselfish decisions helped the team to stay cohesive on both ends of the court. very underrated player and the game he was missing you could see that the team was simply not there.

[malte]

I've been listening to the Thinking Basketball Podcast for 4 Years now. It's really amazing to see the steady incline in quality and personality over the years, not only with the podcast, but with the YouTube side of things as well.
For whoever is only consuming the yt thinking basketball content, I wholeheartedly recommend listening to the pod. Not only is it hart hitting analysis (as cody would say), but the charm and chemistry these two have is really something. For long stretches of the regular season, this podcast is really what keeps me into following the NBA.
I am not much of a commenter most times, but I really had to get that out :)
Much love from Germany

[David-ivje]

It doesn't work if the Nuggets hit open 3s. Jokic missed a ton and the role players come up zero> And THAT was because they played only a 6 man rotation. 7 is the minimum viable.

[VladimirElliot]

Ant shut the water off second half on Murray

[scottwinn]

These breakdowns are outstanding every single time.

[andrewbarnes]

If my memory serves me correctly KAT was a great defender in college and funnily enough, was one of if not his greatest strengths on his scouting report going into the draft. Donovan Mitchel is another guy who was touted as a strong on-ball defender but was a traffic cone in Utah. I believe Rudy brought that gritty, defensive culture to Minnesota and with ANT being a great leader they just have this absolute unit of defense together. Rudy is the heart of that defense and people are delusional to think he isn't worthy of DPoY. He moves well and positions well and with every score Jokic got he was still contesting. The reality is great offense beats great defense and you couldn't ask for a better defensive big than Rudy because he knows his role and embraces it entirely. He also hit clutch free throws when they needed it and that crazy fade away for good measure.