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Nikola Jokic can cover an unusual number of problems during a regular season because he creates a good shot late in the clock, keeps reserve lineups organized and pulls a defense away from the rim without turning every possession into a difficult isolation.
The championship question around Denver still reaches beyond him.
Jokic has enough help to make another run, especially with Jamal Murray beside him, though the group behind those two will need to survive long stretches without the freedom older Nuggets teams enjoyed.
Murray’s first All-NBA selection ended an old argument about whether Denver had a second star.
He averaged 25.4 points and 7.1 assists, then handled more creation when Jokic missed time during the winter.
That season earned Murray a place beside Jokic on the All-NBA teams, and the recognition matched what Denver had already seen.
Murray can run the offense by himself for a quarter, then slide back into the two-man game that has carried the Nuggets through several postseasons.
Jokic remains the reason every lineup works.
His 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists forced defenses to guard every cut, and a healthy Murray punishes teams that send too much attention toward the center.
Their best nights can still overwhelm strong opponents.
One late-season win included a 53-point Murray game beside another huge Jokic line, showing how quickly Denver can turn a close game once both players find their pace.
The partnership also gives Denver several ways to close a game.
Jokic can work from the elbow while Murray cuts around him, or Murray can call for the same screen until the defense finally changes its coverage.
Gordon often becomes the player who benefits because his defender has to help toward the ball.
Denver’s concern sits with the next six players.
Cam Johnson gives the starting group shooting and size, Christian Braun can defend either guard spot and Aaron Gordon still handles the hardest frontcourt matchup.
The bench has fewer proven answers when two starters sit together.
That weakness becomes sharper when Jokic rests because the offense loses its easiest way into a possession.
Murray can bridge some of those minutes, but asking him to create every decent bench shot would carry a cost by April.
Denver can make those shifts easier by staggering Gordon with the reserves and letting Johnson run through simple actions before the defense gets set.
Neither choice recreates Jokic, but both can keep the ball moving long enough to avoid a string of rushed jumpers.
The Nuggets held up better than expected during Jokic’s winter absence, which offers some comfort.
It also required Murray and Peyton Watson to take on much more work than Denver would choose over a full season.
The Nuggets have enough top-end talent to win four playoff rounds.
Their route depends on health, steady minutes from the younger wings and one reserve ballhandler earning enough trust to keep the offense moving.
Jokic and Murray can still carry the hardest possessions, but Denver’s season may turn on the minutes before they return to the floor, when the lead has to remain within reach and a simple entry pass suddenly feels less simple.
Continue reading...
The championship question around Denver still reaches beyond him.
Jokic has enough help to make another run, especially with Jamal Murray beside him, though the group behind those two will need to survive long stretches without the freedom older Nuggets teams enjoyed.
Murray Provides Real Star Help
Murray’s first All-NBA selection ended an old argument about whether Denver had a second star.
He averaged 25.4 points and 7.1 assists, then handled more creation when Jokic missed time during the winter.
That season earned Murray a place beside Jokic on the All-NBA teams, and the recognition matched what Denver had already seen.
Murray can run the offense by himself for a quarter, then slide back into the two-man game that has carried the Nuggets through several postseasons.
Jokic remains the reason every lineup works.
His 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists forced defenses to guard every cut, and a healthy Murray punishes teams that send too much attention toward the center.
Their best nights can still overwhelm strong opponents.
One late-season win included a 53-point Murray game beside another huge Jokic line, showing how quickly Denver can turn a close game once both players find their pace.
The partnership also gives Denver several ways to close a game.
Jokic can work from the elbow while Murray cuts around him, or Murray can call for the same screen until the defense finally changes its coverage.
Gordon often becomes the player who benefits because his defender has to help toward the ball.
A Smaller Margin Behind Them
Denver’s concern sits with the next six players.
Cam Johnson gives the starting group shooting and size, Christian Braun can defend either guard spot and Aaron Gordon still handles the hardest frontcourt matchup.
The bench has fewer proven answers when two starters sit together.
That weakness becomes sharper when Jokic rests because the offense loses its easiest way into a possession.
Murray can bridge some of those minutes, but asking him to create every decent bench shot would carry a cost by April.
Denver can make those shifts easier by staggering Gordon with the reserves and letting Johnson run through simple actions before the defense gets set.
Neither choice recreates Jokic, but both can keep the ball moving long enough to avoid a string of rushed jumpers.
The Nuggets held up better than expected during Jokic’s winter absence, which offers some comfort.
It also required Murray and Peyton Watson to take on much more work than Denver would choose over a full season.
Denver Has a Path
The Nuggets have enough top-end talent to win four playoff rounds.
Their route depends on health, steady minutes from the younger wings and one reserve ballhandler earning enough trust to keep the offense moving.
Jokic and Murray can still carry the hardest possessions, but Denver’s season may turn on the minutes before they return to the floor, when the lead has to remain within reach and a simple entry pass suddenly feels less simple.
Continue reading...
