Nikola Jokic’s Head Coach Slams Critics Questioning 3-Time MVP’s Defense

Nikola Jokic has often been criticized for not being a traditional big man in the paint.

Nikola Jokic’s Head Coach Slams Critics Questioning 3-Time MVP’s Defense

Nikola Jokic (Image credits - Bleacher Report)

There is little doubt that Nikola Jokic has been the league’s best offensive player over the last six years. Drafted by the Denver Nuggets as a second-round pick, Jokic is often considered the greatest draft steal in NBA history.

Over the last six years, Jokic has won a championship, one Finals MVP, three league MVPs, and has averaged a triple-double in two seasons. Despite his record-breaking achievements, the Serbian international has often faced criticism for his paint defense.

The Nuggets ranked ninth-worst in the league in defense last season. Their defensive rating was 117.4, and several critics pointed the finger at Jokic, who averages 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks per game in his entire career.

Nuggets head coach David Adelman took a subtle shot at Jokic’s critics who claim he isn’t good on defense.

I think the biggest thing for us, in the transition defense, if we don’t stop the ball, then we put Nikola Jokic in compromised positions. He’s not a shot-blocker; this is not Rudy Gobert. So I think he commands, from us as a coaching staff, he’s much better defensively than people think.

David Adelman on SiriusXM NBA Radio

Jokic finished in second place in the MVP race after some historic performances last season. Surprisingly, for the first time in a long time, he went through a rough stretch in the playoffs. Rudy Gobert locked him up, and the Serb remained largely ineffective during their first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

These comments come months after Jaden McDaniels called out the Nuggets’ entire roster for being bad defenders. While former coach Stan Van Gundy called Jokic a solid, underrated defender, he isn’t a shot-stopper like Gobert or Victor Wembanyama.

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Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will need to improve on their defense next season

Offensively, the Nuggets are unstoppable with Jokic leading the way. He averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists, while shooting at 56.9% from the field last season. With Jamal Murray, Cameron Johnson and DeMar DeRozan in the team, they will be a very difficult team to contain.

Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic (Image credits – Heavy Sports)

Based on ESPN’s latest projections, the Basketball Power Index (BPI) projected the Nuggets to finish third in the West, while being in the bottom half of the league defensively.

The BPI has the Nuggets ranked first in offense but 21st in defense. Jokic and the Nuggets faced a lot of flak after their first-round exit last season. With Aaron Gordon fit and healthy, the Nuggets are expected to improve significantly on the defensive end of the floor, as he missed several games during the 2025-26 campaign.

Will DeMar DeRozan start alongside Nikola Jokic next season?

The Nuggets made a few roster additions this summer, but the biggest name is DeMar DeRozan. The 37-year-old signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Nuggets this offseason.

However, there were doubts about whether he would be a starter alongside Nikola Jokic next season. David Adelman confirmed that his team will employ the same starting five they had last year; hence, DeRozan would be leading the second unit.

With Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson lead the starting five, it leaves DeRozan coming off the bench. Given the minimal deal he took, it seems DeRozan is more concerned about winning than money and a starting role at this stage of his career.

He will be a vital bench player, averaging 18.4 points and 4.1 assists in 77 appearances for the Sacramento Kings last season. It will be interesting to see how DeRozan adjusts to his new role as the Nuggets’ sixth man next season.

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