Are you a Julian Strawther believer?
Jamal Murray is.
It’s why the Nuggets’ star point guard has taken Denver’s latest first-round pick under his wing. Murray has been in the ear of all of the Nuggets’ rookies ever since they arrived in the Mile High City, but especially Strawther’s.
He knows what kind of talent Denver has in the scintillating shooter out of Gonzaga.
“I know his capability to score,” Murray said Sunday night after the Strawther show made its preseason debut at Ball Arena during the Nuggets’ preseason win over the Bulls. “And I don’t want him to think we don’t want him to do that.”
Murray has been teaching the rookie a crash course on NBA defense. He’s giving Strawther the “inside scoop,” as Murray put it on how defenders are guarding him. He’s helping Strawther learn how to counter certain matchups, when to pump fake, when to shoot, and how to pick his spots and adjust his game on the fly.
“I’m just trying to keep him thinking and let him play free,” said Murray.
“I just love his aggressive mindset. Miss, make, turnover, whatever it is. He’s staying constantly aggressive and looking for his shot and playing at his own pace.”
Strawther’s first three preseason games have been must-see stuff.
In 66 minutes, Strawther has poured in 59 total points. He’s the NBA’s sixth-leading scorer in the preseason and is shooting 12-24 (50%) from 3-point range. He’s also turned the ball over just once.
“Young fella is pretty good,” said acting head coach David Adelman.
It’s crazy just how much Strawther has popped already. His talent is so obvious. His fit on a second unit that desperately needs an injection of scoring is clear. Now that his nerves have calmed from Summer League, something Strawther admits he dealt with, he’s settled in and become a seamless fit in the Nuggets’ offense.
Strawther is more than just a shooter too. He’s quickly found a synergy with Nikola Jokic and a comfortability within Denver’s’ read-and-react system. Strawther says he picked up on how effortlessly Jokic manipulates the defense and sees plays before they happen while watching the Nuggets in the playoffs last season.
Now, he’s reaping the benefits and buckets that come when you play the right way alongside the reigning Finals MVP.
“In Chicago, I had a cut, and I feel like he knew I was cutting before I cut,” Strawther said.
The Nuggets’ coaching staff has been impressed with that part of his game too. Denver knew it was getting arguably the best shooter in the draft when it selected the sharpshooter 29th overall last May. But his cutting and off-ball play has been a welcomed surprise.
Adelman remarked on Sunday that he’s especially impressed with how Strather is finishing his cuts. Several of them have led to open layups.
“I think he’s just seeing the gains when he’s doing the right thing,” Adelman said.
Strawther’s standout preseason will surely have ramifications on the Nuggets’ rotation. Michael Malone mentioned throughout training camp that on Denver’s potential second unit only Christian Braun had secured a rotation spot. Reggie Jackson figures to be penciled into an opening night role at backup point guard. Zeke Nnaji will likely slot in at backup center.
But there could be minutes to be had on the wing behind Michael Porter Jr. Strawther isn’t planning on letting the opportunity slip by.
“My main focus is continuing to improve on the defensive end,” he said. “That’s what’s going to get me on the floor.”
