This is Starting To Look Disgusting

This is Kinda Disgusting

After a daring call-out by Wolves’ Forward, Jaden McDaniels, and an embarrassing Game 4 performance, the Nuggets find themselves down 3–1 ahead of Game 5, and the 3-time MVP’s play on the defensive end is a big reason why

Nikola Jokic (Center, Denver Nuggets)

Right after tying the series at one game apiece, Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels would have choice words to describe his team’s game plan against Denver

We go at Jokic, go at Jamal, all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, their whole team… they’re all bad defenders.

Despite a steady victory in Game 1, Denver’s 117.4 defensive rating, placing them 21st during the regular season, provides enough evidence for the claim’s legitimacy. On the flip side, the possible 4-time MVP’s defensive shortcomings have been amplified since said claims were made, and for good reason. Jokic has been nothing short of a liability on defense this series and is a big reason why the Nuggets find themselves on the brink of elimination. The real-time viewing of the big man's non-existent paint resistance has been disgusting over the last three games and could be a reason the Nuggets find themselves sent home earlier than expected, but it won’t be the only reason.

No Sense of Urgency

For fans, as soon as this matchup was made official, we geared ourselves up for what has the potential to be the best rivalry of the 2020s. After putting on an instant classic series in 2024, the expectations were through the roof. And after a resounding victory in Game 2 by Minnesota, a quote from Minnesota forward Jaden McDaniels would confirm the rivalry feel. After McDaniels’ choice words, the basketball world expected a major response from Denver in Game 3. What we would get is a game that truly proved McDaniels’ words right. Minnesota punched Denver right in the mouth with a 96–113 victory, abandoning the three and making Denver defend them at the rim, which the 68-34 points in the paint differential would prove they could not. During the regular season, opponents shot 70.2 percent at the rim against Denver, and that weak rim defense revealed itself in Game 3. Losing the rebound battle by 13 didn’t help either.

Now Game 4 would see a thread of unexpected events unravel. First, the basketball world would witness Anthony Edwards’ backcourt mate, Donte DiVincenzo, tear his Achilles in the 1st quarter. Of course, no one wants to see injuries in the game of basketball, especially in the playoffs, but DiVincenzo going out would, in theory, benefit Denver. In the first 3 games, the guard would average 14.3 ppg, 5.0 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.3 stl, and 50% from three on over seven attempts a game. Not having to deal with him would be a plus for the Nuggets. Then, in the 3rd Quarter, the Wolves would see their star player go down with what we now know to be a bone bruise. It seemed that the basketball gods were handing the Nuggets this game on a silver platter. But then Ayo Dosunmu would happen. The former Bull would explode for a career-high 43 points, getting to the paint at will, and helping extend Minnesota’s series lead to 3–1. Aside from the Ayo Dosunmu legacy game, the talk of the town was how, once again, Nikola Jokic disappeared in the 4th quarter. Now, we all knew of the struggles Jokic deals with defensively, but no one could’ve predicted how Jokic would be taken out of the game offensively during multiple key moments in this series.

Four-Time For A Reason

For most, if not all of the 2020s, the now 4-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, would face constant and immense criticism and backlash. Partly because of the false narratives around his impact that are repeatedly voiced every year, and the constant disrespect from members of the NBA media, which includes former players. And Gobert picked a perfect moment and series to shut up those opinions, and he’s been doing just that. Making every critic eat their words with every Jokic post hook miss, Gobert has held Jokic to just 2/16 from the field in all of the last three 4th quarters combined, and Jokic is only shooting 33.8% from the field (23/68) in the last three games.

Jokic is shooting close to 29% from the field when guarded one-on-one by Gobert, who’s forced 9 turnovers in those possessions, and the Nuggets still seem hellbent on feeding the ball to Jokic in that matchup. Highlighted by the few times Jamal Murray would find himself guarded by Julius Randle, which most would say is a mismatch, would still see Murray dish the ball off to Jokic to score against the 4-time DPOY. And seeing that Denver is only averaging 39.5 points in the paint this postseason, ranking them 14th, on only 55.4% at the rim, it’s clear that Rudy Gobert’s presence has caused problems for Denver this series.

Losing The Mental Battle

To make things even worse, Jokic would display an embarrassing moment of unacceptable behavior. After blowing what should have been a Game 4 win, Jokic would take offense to a late layup taken by none other than Jaden McDaniels. While I can understand the tension between the two teams, after having a performance like that in a pivotal game like that and being arguably the best player in the world, you should be focused on forcing Game 6, not some unwritten rule. Giving minimal effort defense all night, but sprinting after a late layup, is an embarrassing look. If Denver doesn’t change something on both ends ahead of Game 5, they’ll find themselves as first-round exits this playoffs in the most embarrassing way possible. And for Jokic, losing to a DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards-less Timberwolves team, especially in this fashion, would do immense damage to the 3-time MVP’s case for best in the world, and may even do damage to his image in the league.