The Athletic NBA Daily Big nights for Steph Curry and Jokić + OKC keeps rolling
Nov 13, 2025
Hunter Patterson, a beat writer and analyst, joins the discussion to explore the Detroit Pistons’ surprising win while resting key players. He highlights the rise of Dennis Jenkins, whose confidence has shone through thanks to his summer-league performance. The conversation also touches on the team’s impressive depth and how bench players have stepped up this season. Additionally, they praise coach J.B. Bickerstaff for fostering a positive culture and strong leadership within the team as they navigate early-season challenges.
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Jokić's Relentless Scoring Drive
- Nikola Jokić overwhelmed defenses by choosing to score aggressively instead of relying on assists.
- His relentless positioning and sprinting after rebounds forced creation for himself and teammates.
Effortless Craftiness Powers Jokic
- Jokić both creates and takes over when teammates don't convert opportunities.
- He uses minimal effort moves and constant off-ball hustle to manufacture offense.
Bench Growth Narrows Jokic Dependence
- Denver's bench, especially Jonas Valančiūnas, reduced the Nuggets' on-off gap this year.
- Improved secondary scoring and versatility have lessened the team's dependency on Jokić.