Roundtable: Takeaways from Thomas Bryant's rotation debut

The Nuggets’ trade deadline acquisition played his first game in the rotation Monday night in Miami. How did he look and how does the DNVR Nuggets crew think he’ll fit into the Nuggets’ second unit? Also, should the Nuggets continue to stagger Jamal Murray? The fellas discuss.

What was your first impression of Thomas Bryant in the rotation?

Adam Mares: I thought he looked great. Right in line with what I expected. He’s big, he’s aggressive, and plays hard, and he struggled a bit on defense. I think all of those things will be consistent with him in his minutes with the bench this season.

Harrison Wind: He’s going to be a really solid fit. Bryant gives the Nuggets something they’ve never had before in the Nikola Jokic era: An interior offensive presence at backup center. Bryant can score. He can convert inside. He can finish around the rim. Give him the ball on a short roll and he’ll get you two points. DeMarcus Cousins was more of a perimeter player last year. Mason Plumlee was great in Denver, but he didn’t have an offensive game around the rim. Bryant is going to be able to juice the second unit’s scoring numbers. That will help the Nuggets’ bench offense, but also their defense too. He’ll be a factor going forward.

Brendan Vogt: Bryant looked as advertised. He scored easily but struggled to defend without fouling. Denver will sacrifice some of the newfound defensive prowess from their second unit by injecting him into the lineup. That should pay off in exchange for an identity on offense. I’m eager to see what lineup Malone settles on after the break. This addition provides hope.

When Jamal Murray returns post-All-Star break, should the Nuggets continue to stagger him with the bench?

Mares: My default instinct is to say yes since common wisdom says that you should always have one of your two best players on the court. But I am curious if the Nuggets rotation would make more sense with Michael Porter Jr. staggering. For starters, Bruce Brown and Christian Braun should not be cut from the rotation. If Reggie Jackson is playing backup minutes, then there is your three guard lineup. That leaves Thomas Bryant, a shoe-in to play minutes off of the bench and one power forward spot available.

Vlatko Cancar deserves the opportunity to stay in the rotation but is it possible that a bench unit of Jackson-Brown-Braun-Bryant might benefit more from MPJ’s scoring and spacing than from Cancar’s all around versatility?

Wind: I’m going to say no. I was trying to preach this early in the season, but I felt that the Nuggets were playing Murray too many minutes. When he’s staggering with the bench, that puts even more responsibility on his shoulders and more minutes on his body. The bench unit is undoubtedly better with Murray on it, but at what cost?

If I’m the Nuggets, I insert Reggie Jackson after the All-Star break and see how the second unit looks with him, Christian Braun, Bruce Brown, Vlatko Cancar and Thomas Bryant. If it’s a disaster, which I don’t think it will be, you pivot to Murray or Porter staggering with that group (I’d rather Porter play with the bench than Murray right now because of Murray’s knee). If it’s anything close to neutral, I’m fine rolling with a five-man bench in order to conserve everyone for the playoffs.

Vogt: One argument for staying the course: he’s Denver’s second-best player and, in theory, their best shot at surviving non-Jokić minutes. Especially if Bryant plays well.

One argument for changing it up: he’s already missing games with knee inflammation and playing too many minutes. Health matters most. Plus, the Jackson addition might start creating more questions than it answers.

My thinking: stick with it. Keep one of the best two players on the floor at all times. The Bryant addition and Bones Hyland subtraction should make his life easier with that unit anyway.

Who needs to have a great last 2+ months of the regular season?

Mares: Jamal Murray.

There are a lot of answers for this question but the most important player other than the always steady Nikola Jokic is Murray. If he can return and maintain the level of play that he demonstrated over this last month then the Nuggets are going places. If he elevates his level of play to new heights then the Nuggets should feel confident matching up with anybody in the NBA.

Wind: Jamal Murray

The Nuggets can make it to the Conference Finals if Jamal Murray plays well. But to win a championship this season they need vintage Murray in the playoffs. Health is the biggest concern with him right now. I’m sure the Nuggets aren’t pushing him to play with the All-Star break here, but Murray has missed the last five games with right knee inflammation (not the surgically repaired left knee). There’s no way he plays tomorrow vs. Dallas either. Keeping him healthy needs to be the Nuggets’ No. 1 goal over the next couple of months.

Vogt: Michael Porter Jr.

His progress on the defensive side of the ball could change the equation for Denver in the playoffs. If it’s not so easy to play him off the floor, it should be tough to beat this team four times. A defense is spread too thin against that lineup. We’ve seen flashes of progress inside the perimeter as well. His ability, or inability to punish mismatches, could swing some games. Murray and Jokić will be ready to go. If Porter’s locked in, the sky is the limit.