Alex Caruso’s Defense on Nikola Jokic Causes NBA Twitter Debate

Alex Caruso held Nikola Jokic to 1-5 shooting from the field, but NBA fans are aghast at the physicality he was allowed to display.

Alex Caruso’s Defense on Nikola Jokic Causes NBA Twitter Debate

Nikola Jokic

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with a 35-point outing in game 7 as the OKC Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals. He got able support from fellow All-Star Jalen Williams, who had 24 points. However, the major talking point of the game would be a former Lakers champion. Alex Caruso, tasked with guarding three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, was at the forefront of a lot of discourse.

Caruso was put on Jokic as his primary defender after the Serbian had a hot start to the game. The Denver Nuggets’ offense was then stifled for the rest of the game as Caruso gave Jokic a tough time. He also had tons of help whenever Jokic caught the ball inside the 3-point line. Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren would shade off their men to cut passing lanes and provide help defense to the MVP.

Consequently, Nikola Jokic didn’t get to take many shots for much of the game. He only attempted nine field goals, making five of them. The rest of his points came via free throws as Caruso had three fouls to his name. Holmgren and Hartenstein combined were also called for five fouls. Jokic only managed to make 1-5 of his field goals while being guarded by the 31-year-old defensive ace.

Jokic’s profligacy was noted by many NBA fans, who heaped praise on Caruso for his stout defensive energy.

There was also a lot of uproar with regards to the amount of physicality Caruso was allowed to get away with. Many believed that the size difference between Jokic and Alex Caruso gave the latter too much wiggle room. They found flaws with his physicality and the amount of contact he initiated with Nikola Jokic.

A few people also laid the blame on Jokic for trying to draw fouls and get calls instead of aggressively looking to manufacture his own shot as an isolation player. Noted basketball YouTuber Bballbreakdown explained how Jokic was working to his own detriment.

Other journalists and analysts also heaped praise on Caruso’s gimmicky defense on Jokic.

This season proves that Nikola Jokic needs better help around him

The Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA title after assembling perhaps the best seven-man rotation in the league. However, letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown walk in the offseasons after that has gutted the team. The roster needed more two-way players, but also guys who could get their own shots when the situation demanded. Both KCP and Brown would fit this mould, but Nuggets owners were unwilling to pay luxury tax to retain them.

The emergence of Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon’s ability to take on a higher offensive load masked this weakness. Getting Russell Westbrook on the roster for a small contract also buoyed their chances and helped to paper over the cracks. However, with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr clearly not playing at their highest levels, this team can’t put together a championship run as currently constructed.

The incoming Denver Nuggets GM would have a big decision on their hands to make. While Murray and Porter Jr have contributed immensely to the Nuggets’ championship, they are underperforming assets. The team needs to move on from them and get better quality, more durable starters. Jokic will likely only be the best player in the world for a couple more years. They need to maximize his championship window.

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