The Nuggets’ defense has been one of the biggest surprises across the NBA early in the season, but DNVR Sports’ Adam Mares threw a bit of cold water on the hot start. On a recent appearance on the Athletic NBA Daily Show, Mares explained how most of the credit for Denver’s strong defensive showing has been a scheme change.
Opponents have become so accustomed to the Nuggets’ defensive coverages in pick and roll with Nikola Jokic on the backline that they’ve been slow to adjust and have been attacking them in the wrong way.
David Adelman talked about coming in and switching up the coverages and schemes on the defensive end, leaning into a more aggressive and physical game plan.