The Denver Nuggets are navigating significant challenges on the defensive front as they adapt to the absence of key players Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Jared Dudley, the Nuggets’ first-year defensive coordinator, has taken on the task of maintaining the team’s competitive edge despite these setbacks. With a current record of 19-6, the Nuggets stand at 17th in defensive rankings after 25 games this season.
Dudley aims to restore the Nuggets’ defense to a mid-tier level, similar to what contributed to their championship victory in 2023. He acknowledges the pivotal role of star player Nikola Jokic and the team’s offensive capabilities. The Nuggets have shown they can succeed with a defense ranked 15th, but Dudley is determined to improve their standing even further.
“It’s been up and down. Sometimes we’ve had to outscore opponents,” Dudley stated recently. He emphasized the need for “key stops” and expressed optimism that the return of Gordon and Braun will enhance the team’s depth and defensive length, creating challenges for opposing offenses.
Despite the ongoing injury issues, the Nuggets have managed to maintain a positive win-loss record, winning seven out of their last ten games. This streak has been buoyed by a historically efficient offense, although their defensive rating of 121.5 during this stretch ranks as the second-worst in the NBA.
Dudley spoke to reporters in the absence of head coach David Adelman, who was attending to a family matter. Adelman, who has been instrumental in shaping the Nuggets’ offensive strategies, hired Dudley from the Dallas Mavericks to lead the defensive unit. As the season progresses, Dudley is keen to implement varied defensive schemes while minimizing the burden on Jokic.
“Sometimes, just like how it’s hard to stop us, it’s going to be hard to stop some of these teams,” Dudley remarked. He is focused on introducing defensive wrinkles that could potentially lower opposing teams’ shooting percentages. Although he exaggerated slightly when referencing teams shooting as high as 60%, it underscores his goal to make opponents uncomfortable.
The Nuggets have been experimenting with various defensive strategies, including zones, cross-matches, and double-teams from multiple areas of the court. Dudley estimated that around 80% of the defensive concepts being employed are new to the players, which presents both challenges and opportunities for growth.
“Last year, they were a big trapping team with Jokic,” Dudley explained. “We’ve had Jokic up, in a drop, and guarding wings. Our 2-3 zone is different from their previous zone.” He noted the adjustments being made to how they rotate on pick-and-pop plays, aiming to keep Jokic from having to exert unnecessary energy on defense.
Dudley views the regular season as a testing ground for new defensive strategies, allowing the team to gather data and refine their approach as they prepare for the playoffs. He believes that players will start to master the new concepts within the next 30 to 35 games, coinciding with the anticipated returns of Gordon and Braun around January.
In the interim, Dudley’s focus remains clear: “Right now, we’re just trying to hold down the fort and win games by any means necessary.” The team’s resilience and adaptability will be crucial as they continue to navigate this challenging phase of the season.
