The Denver Nuggets are facing significant challenges on defense as they navigate the absence of key players Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Under the leadership of first-year defensive coordinator Jared Dudley, the team aims to elevate its defensive performance while maintaining its status as a top contender in the NBA.
Dudley, who joined the Nuggets as the top assistant coach to David Adelman, is striving to restore the team’s defensive prowess to a level reminiscent of their 2023 championship-winning season. Currently, the Nuggets hold a record of 19-6, but their defensive ranking has slipped to 17th in the league after a stretch of games without Gordon and Braun. This marks an improvement from last season’s 21st place, indicating progress despite ongoing injury setbacks.
“It’s been up and down,” Dudley noted. “Sometimes we’ve had to outscore opponents. But it’s been about getting key stops. Once CB and AG come back, our depth and our length is going to cause a lot of problems.” The absence of the two defenders has certainly tested the team. In their last ten games, the Nuggets have posted a defensive rating of 121.5, the second-worst in the league. Yet, they managed to secure a 7-3 record during that stretch, largely thanks to their high-scoring offense.
Dudley addressed reporters on Wednesday in place of Adelman, who was absent due to a family matter. Adelman has played a crucial role in shaping the Nuggets’ offense and has become increasingly involved in their defensive strategies since taking over as head coach. He brought Dudley from the Dallas Mavericks, recognizing the need for a fresh approach on defense.
“Sometimes, just like how it’s hard to stop us, it’s going to be hard to stop some of these teams,” Dudley explained. His objective is to implement strategic variations that can reduce opposing teams’ shooting efficiency. “Maybe instead of shooting 60%, they’re shooting 50% until we get everyone back here and we can be super-aggressive.”
While Dudley’s statement about teams shooting 60% may be an exaggeration, it highlights the urgency of improving defensive performance. The Nuggets have struggled to disrupt opposing offenses, and Dudley is focused on introducing diverse defensive schemes. The team has experimented with zones, cross-matches, and double-teams, with an estimated 80% of their current strategies being new to the players.
“Last year, they were a big trapping team,” Dudley recalled. “We’ve done that. We’ve had Jokic up. We’ve had Jokic in a drop, like Rudy Gobert. I’ve had him guarding wings.” The coach emphasized the importance of adapting defensive tactics to protect star player Nikola Jokic from excessive exertion on defense.
Dudley is aware that the current situation serves as a testing ground for the team. He believes that regular-season games can be utilized to experiment with defensive concepts that could be critical in the playoffs. “We have to work out the kinks now,” he stated, with a clear focus on preparation for the crucial months ahead.
With Gordon and Braun expected to return around January, Dudley anticipates that players will need approximately 30 to 35 games to fully grasp the new defensive ideas. Until then, the priority remains clear: “Right now, we’re just trying to hold down the fort and win games by any means necessary,” Dudley concluded.
As the Nuggets continue to adapt to their circumstances, the upcoming games will be pivotal in determining their defensive identity and overall success in the season.
