Draymond Green Gives Nikola Jokic Problems
Nikola Jokic will be the Denver Nuggets’ best player this postseason. However, expect him to play below his usual standard, in big part thanks to the defense of Draymond Green.
Green has a 12-6 career record versus Jokic – though to Jokic’s credit, some of those came before the center’s emergence as an All-Star.
Since the 2018-19 season, Jokic’s first All-Star year, Green still has a 5-3 record vs. Jokic. Nikola Jokic was held to 19.8 points, seven assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game in those match-ups, all below his averages in those seasons.
Draymond Green is one of the best defenders basketball has ever seen – the man himself has claimed to be the very best. Regardless of where you stand on that claim, Green is an undeniably smart and spectacular defender. The fact that Green’s been able to give Jokic trouble in the past is no knock on the Serbian center.
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The most glaring statistical nugget from these match-ups is Jokic’s three-point shooting in them – just 9.5% (2 for 21 in the eight games). If Draymond can continue to make Jokic uncomfortable on offense, and force him into three-pointers, it could be a recipe for success for the Golden State Warriors.
Though Jokic is a decent three-point shooter (33.7% this season), keeping him outside is something Draymond Green is capable of. Expect him to do so, and to keep the likely MVP to a (relatively) quiet series.
Though for Nikola Jokic – relatively quiet will still have him as the Denver Nuggets’ best player.
