Nuggets Deliver Christmas Gift To Denver

Nikola Jokić – A+

We’d made it about three questions into the postgame presser before Michael Malone took over for us. “That’s when you know you’re a unicorn,” he said of Nikola Jokić. “When no one even asks you after three, four questions about the 41-15-15. I hope Larry Bird, Wilt, and whoever else (Bill Russell) is ready for some company.”

He was right to bring it up, but what’s there to ask? What’s left to say? Jokić is doing his best to leave even the garrulous garrison in the local media speechless. With his gym floor dance partner Jamal Murray back in action, Jokić dominated the Suns. I know these guys are extraordinarily well paid, but someone should notify the Department of Labor that Bismack Biyombo had to guard Jokić during the holidays.

The back-to-back MVP is back in the running for back-to-back-to-back MVPs, a feat fitting for his talent and baffling to those who aren’t paying attention. The Nuggets don’t draw many eyeballs. Even on Christmas Day, the game of the day nearly spilled over to the next while many on the East Coast slept off the weekend’s celebrations. But those in Denver and the NBA Diehards around the country watched a shimmering display of polished greatness deep into the night. Merry Christmas.

Aaron Gordon – A+

If AG can’t go down in dunk contest history, he might as well throw down one of the best in-game dunks we’ve seen in years. With a one-point lead and roughly 25 seconds remaining in overtime, AG geared up for something ludicrous. The player who announced a goal of raising his basketball IQ, and backed it up, got back to his old ways — in the very best of ways. The breathtaking athleticism that first defined Gordon’s game popped like never before in a Nuggets uniform. He banished Landry Shamet to the Shadow Realm forever. You may see Shamet’s bodily form play again, but he’s not in there. I promise. Shamet lives in the Shadow Realm now.

EVERY ANGLE OF AARON GORDON'S RIDICULOUS DUNK OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE 🎬🤯 pic.twitter.com/bFEzWMvRHD

— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2022

Of course, the beauty of AG, the Nugget, is the athleticism is but a component of his competence, not the very basis of it. He played a spectacular game from start to finish, responding to a voracious home crowd. They were starving for an excuse to lose their minds, and AG obliged over-and-over again. Of his 13 rebounds, 7 came on offense, a stat befitting the man who plays with more urgency than anyone on the roster.

“He’s the soul of the team,” Jokić said after the game. That’s the only stamp of approval he needs. Still, I’ll take it a step further. AG is Mr. Nugget.

Jamal Murray – A-

Murray stumbled on a bump in the road this season as he navigated some knee soreness. He played through the frustration and adapted his game — the playmaking went up a level. So Malone challenged a struggling Murray at the half to rediscover the form Sunday night. Malone urged him to play a selfless brand of basketball, and Murray got himself back into the game in the second half. He picked up his effort in the non-scoring areas, and his eyes grew wide as a couple of shots fell. He was spectacular in the fourth quarter and dropped a little spice postgame.

“I just like playing against them,” Murray said of the Suns. “I just like the matchups, and I think Joker does too.”

Even in suboptimal form, Murray changes the dynamic of the matchup. The Suns enjoyed an overlap of their potential peak as a team with his extended absence, but they failed to cash in, and they’ve got one more opponent between them and their goal now.

Michael Porter Jr. – C-

Let’s keep it real — Porter did not play well from start to finish. After missing some open looks, he withdrew into his shell, keeping a healthy distance between himself and the professional basketball game happening around him. But Malone turned back to Porter to close the game, and, remarkably, Porter responded. In his final stints, he played great defense, utilizing his length to survive while Paul hunted the matchup in the pick and roll. Denver looked comfortable conceding the switch by the night’s end.

Porter has a ways to go to ease troubled minds over his contract. Especially considering the missed time. But Denver’s all in on a group that can go far and Porter can either help them win or not. He’s far more capable of the former than given credit for. That was a performance he can build on.

KCP – A-

KCP took home the defensive player of the game chain and gave GM Calvin Booth even more ground to stand on. Booth went out and got players like KCP so Denver could turn the corner in matchups like this one. It’s just one regular season game, and Phoenix was down Devin Booker, but KCP’s presence made the desired impact.

Pope’s competitiveness pops in person. He’s a fiery player and responds well to an atmosphere like the memorable one in Ball Arena Sunday night.

The Bench – D

The bench struggled mightily. Down Jeff Green, only three guys played over ten minutes. A fourth, Zeke Nnaji, played over DeAndre Jordan but only logged 8:35 in the overtime win.

Christian Braun flashed some defensive prowess when matched up with Chris Paul. Paul tried to bait him into his petty, exhausting rip-through move, but Braun had been paying attention. He kept his hands out of the cookie jar.

Bones Hyland is free-falling. He’s not hitting shots, he’s not getting stops, and he needs to find teammates. Benching Hyland might help in the short term, but the reality is his talent should be a part of the equation for a limited second unit. Even if he’s the biggest problem right now, the best solution is for him to play better. The best version of this team includes a confident and competent Bones heading into the playoffs.