Sports · Basketball · 2 hrs ago
Deni Avdija says guarding Nikola Jokic leaves him searching for answers
Deni Avdija, a forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, spoke about defending Nikola Jokic on The Draymond Green Show.
Jokic is a center for the Denver Nuggets.
Avdija said that when he switches to guard Jokic, he struggles to find an answer because Jokic is strong, smart and able to score or pass in different ways.
The discussion also covered Jokic’s behind-the-back, no-look pass to Cameron Johnson in a preseason game against Utah.
Avdija said he wanted to ask whether Jokic practises passes like that.
The conversation highlighted the difficulty of guarding Jokic and the unusual skill behind his passing.
Deni Avdija said Nikola Jokic is one of his toughest defensive assignments in the NBA.
The Portland Trail Blazers forward said switching onto the Denver center leaves him unsure how to defend him.
Avdija cited Jokic’s strength, intelligence, passing and touch floaters as challenges.
The discussion took place during Avdija’s appearance on The Draymond Green Show.
Avdija also questioned whether Jokic practices the behind-the-back, no-look pass he made to Cameron Johnson in a preseason game against Utah.
- Who
- Deni Avdija discussed defending Nikola Jokic.
- What
- Avdija said guarding Jokic leaves him searching for answers.
- When
- The interview was reported on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The conversation took place on The Draymond Green Show. The pass discussed was made during Denver’s preseason game against Utah.
- Why
- Avdija said Jokic’s strength, intelligence, passing and touch floaters make him difficult to guard.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Every time I switch onto Jokic, I’m like, what the hell am I supposed to do? I’m strong, but this guy is strong, smart, can pass, and has those touch floaters from every angle
I gotta ask him if he really practices those types of things. There’s no way that’s natural for him to do that. You go there in the corner the next practice and make this pass and tell me if it’s natural to you.
Jokic made a behind-the-back, no-look pass to Cameron Johnson during Denver’s preseason game against Utah.
Eurohoops reported Avdija’s comments from his appearance on The Draymond Green Show.
- Player
- Deni Avdija
- Defensive assignment
- Nikola Jokic
- Teams
- Portland Trail Blazers; Denver
- Show
- The Draymond Green Show
- Preseason pass recipient
- Cameron Johnson
Sources
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