At 39-18, the Denver Nuggets are sitting pretty with the second seed in the West. They’re only two games behind the juggernaut Golden State Warriors and are probably going to finish with a top seed. Best of all, star player Nikola Jokic just turned 24 and is already the best passing big in NBA history.
It might be illogical for someone to think there’s anything wrong with the team, and that’s true. Sure, they’re not true title contenders yet, but they weren’t even supposed to be this good this year. They have both talent and polish on the roster, with a clear direction for the franchise. Boasting a savvy front office, a capable coach, exciting young players, and most importantly, a lovable young superstar, Denver has all the tools to succeed in the coming years.
There’s one issue that remains, however. Denver doesn’t quite yet have “that guy.” By this, we mean a player with the score-first mentality – the coveted “closer” for a team.
Nikola Jokic is simply not that type of player, but that’s okay. He can still potentially be the best player on a championship team. His game just isn’t complete. While a capable scorer by any metric, Jokic can’t be the first scoring option on a contender. He’s a pass-first player who creates endless possibilities through his vision but lacks the scoring punch. When the game slows down at the end, the off-ball cuts and dives become riskier and stop appearing as often. During these times, Jokic is going to need a teammate to help close out the game.
Every playmaking great had his microwave scorer alongside them. LeBron had Wade, and before that, Kyrie. Magic had Kareem. Stockton had Malone. The list can continue for quite some length. It’s a pairing that just clicks in the NBA, and Denver already has half of the duo.
One more thing to note is the importance of adding a dynamic scoring guard alongside any big. Examples include Garnett with Pierce, Duncan with Parker and Ginobli, and most illuminating, Shaq with Kobe. It’s also no mistake that the guard is usually the closer in a game, for some pretty simple reasons.
A guard can bring the ball up against fullcourt pressure and start the possession with the ball in his hands. Even in today’s NBA, a star big man is still most effective with the ball in the post. In the clutch, it becomes increasingly more difficult for a center to get the ball down there. There’s much more fronting and ball denial, making an entry pass more complicated. Few players in the league can accurately throw a pass over an outstretched 7′ defender’s arms. With all due respect to Jokic, his athleticism doesn’t make that pass any easier.
Guards are simply the more effective weapon on offense late in a game. With access to stepbacks, pull-ups, floaters, and scoop-shots, guards are just more likely to get a shot off. Jokic has never been famous for his scoring anyway, which only amplifies Denver’s need for a light-it-up kind of guy.
When taking a look at the Nuggets’ existing roster, two candidates for this role emerge. One is Michael Porter Jr., who’s been known for his tough shot-making since his much-publicized high school days. Porter, however, only played three total games in college and has zero NBA experience. Herniated discs are no small problem, and it remains a question if Porter can even stay healthy during his career. It’s not fair to expect Porter to be a big-time scorer, especially when we haven’t seen him once against NBA competition.
Which leads us to the more likely of the two players, Jamal Murray. Still 21 years young already in his third NBA season, Murray is about to shoulder some immense expectations.
Denver has never been a big free agent destination, with all their assets home-grown. The Nuggets are too good to have a high enough draft pick to find another star, ruling out tanking. The chances of digging up another gem like Jokic are infinitesimally tiny, sharp as Denver’s front office may be. Trading for a star is another option, but is it wise to gut Denver’s depth and ruin the chemistry built after years for a player who might leave the next year?
In all likelihood, the Nuggets are going to have to stick with Murray. He’s been loaded like a supernova since his rookie campaign but has had trouble harnessing this talent. There are brilliant bursts that hurriedly grab at your attention, but there’s also mediocre play that leaves much to be desired.
Inconsistency has been skewing Murray’s path towards stardom since day one. Exhibit A: the 48-point explosion Murray discharged on Boston. This was followed by a six-game stretch where he averaged barely 14 points on 37.5% from the field. Murray has been up and down all season but has still averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on 43.0% from the field and 36.8% from three, flashing just enough of his potential. The efficiency has dropped from his sophomore season, and though his numbers aren’t terrible, it’s not quite the leap Denver was hoping for.
But then there are the performances like the one against the Sacramento Kings, where Murray fills the exact role that the Nuggets have been missing. With the Nuggets down nearly 20 points entering the third, Murray scored 34 of his 36 points in the second half. Murray ended this fourth quarter tear with a dramatic and-one 3PT from the top of the key, icing the game and capping off his breathtaking performance.
Nights like Boston and Sacramento show that Murray has the ability to be the type of player Denver needs. Murray has a star’s game, combining crafty finishing with quick handles and an even quicker release. He knows he can get a shot off whenever he wants, and sometimes, it’s to a fault. Many times, he’ll follow a great play with a bone-headed decision, reminding us all that despite his talent, he still has a ways to go to becom a true star.
Jamal Murray is still only 21 but already has three NBA seasons under his belt. He’s still straddling the line between All-Star and role player, but that shouldn’t be too worrying considering his age. At some point, however, Murray’s going to have to start consistently stringing together good games. And, if he finally starts to come into his own, the new Jamal Murray Nuggets could become very, very scary.
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