Nikola Jokic is the best basketball player in the world. If people don’t agree, they don’t put him too far down the list unless they’re trying to troll him. But as other-worldly as his offensive prowess can be, his defensive prowess seems to be steadily declining, and the Nuggets’ team defense as a whole has gone with it.

It was on full display against the Utah Jazz, allowing 84 points in the paint to a tanking team trying to lose. The Nuggets held on to win, but Jokic was stuck like a log that had fallen over in the forest on defense. It was like watching Roger Dorn in the movie Major League. Jokic looked like he had no desire to get in front of the ball.

It was a layup line, and the Jazz shot 56% from the field because of it. The Nuggets were lucky to escape with a win. They finished the game on a 21-5 run after it appeared the Jazz had forgotten what they were doing and started shooting jumpers. It was a tanking masterclass.

The broader trend has been pointing down for Jokic’s defense

Zach Lowe and Wosney Lambre didn’t hold back on the defense Jokic displayed on the newest “The Zach Lowe Show” podcast. It left Lowe saying he’s heard people say, “I hope he’s not trying, because if he’s trying, they are dead on arrival against the Thunder and the Spurs.”

It was terrible defense by the Joker against the Jazz, but it’s part of a broader trend over the last two seasons that wasn’t present before 2023-24. Jokic had a 110.6 defensive rating that year, and the Nuggets were ranked 8th at 112.3. Where did that defense go?

Last year, the Nuggets slipped to 21st in defensive rating at 115.1, which is coincidentally the exact same mark Jokic had. And now it’s even worse. Over 16 March games, Jokic’s defensive rating has ballooned to 118.8. Ouch.

Is he hurt, or is he slow-playing everyone?

We can’t discount the basketball Einstein from pulling a fast one over on everyone. What if Jokic’s saving himself for the playoffs and just not trying very hard on defense? Or maybe he’s still feeling the effects of the knee injury that caused him to miss 16 games in the middle of the season?

He’s been playing through a wrist injury that’s never been enough to keep him out. Jokic’s a warrior, and a basketball savant. We can’t let the slow-play angle slip. But the numbers are alarming, and the bull-fighter-esque style of defense is certainly something. Guess we’ll get our answers when the playoffs start.