Nuggets make the Caruso-style defense on Nikola Jokic a pick-your-poison gamble

David Decker of Nugg Love analyzes how opponents are defending Nikola Jokic by using physical guards to front him in the post, a strategy popularized by Alex Caruso. The Utah Jazz recently deployed this approach during preseason matchups, which disrupts the Denver Nuggets' offensive flow and limits Jokic's two-man game with Jamal Murray.

Decker argues that the strategy becomes a risky gamble because Jokic's passing punishes teams that overcommit. Teammates Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson have capitalized on the defensive attention Jokic draws by converting open looks, while Christian Braun's shooting and cutting threat could further neutralize the scheme.