Grades: Shorthanded Nuggets Dominate Shorthanded Blazers

Nikola Jokić – A+

Jokić dropped 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists on 64/100/100 shooting splits in just 28 minutes. Basketball is frighteningly easy for him now, success requiring so little exertion. He’s reading defenses like children’s books and sleepwalking through a game famous for the athleticism and mental toughness it commands. The heavy burden weighing on his shoulders is imperceptible as he treats the pinnacle of competitive hoops like an afternoon stroll.

The Nuggets tipped off without Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Will Barton Sunday night, but their absences barely figured into a result that Jokić nearly sealed in his first stint. He recorded seven assists in his first nine minutes on the court. He looked right through Jusuf Nurkic as he picked apart the Portland defense.

There’s virtually no praise left to write that’s not already running through a reader’s mind. To watch Jokić is to know joy. Bask in the good fortune and drink in the vibes. These are the golden years.

Aaron Gordon – B-

Gordon’s box score looks unimpressive, but it doesn’t show you his strong defense on CJ McCollum. What should have been a mismatch looked like a comfortable assignment for AG. Portland poured it in during the second quarter, but outside of a hot shooting stretch, they couldn’t get their offense off the ground without Dame. Credit Gordon for making the next option such an ineffective one.

A minor observation: Gordon does an excellent job of recognizing a mismatch, sealing that defender off, and either digging out a favorable position in the post or forcing a quick foul.

Monte Morris – A-

The Nuggets had the Blazers hanging on the ropes early in the first quarter, and Morris put his fingerprints all over the strong start. He opened the game with seven points on just five shots and looked to be enjoying himself. There’s plenty on Morris’ plate to start the season, but on Sunday, he played freely and with joy as Denver found virtually any shot they wanted. Morris recorded seven rebounds, too, a valiant effort from a backup point guard.

Jeff Green – C+

Green started again and filed more evidence in the ‘starters look great with Jeff Green’ folder. Green himself wasn’t great, but he doesn’t need to be with that group. He’s limiting his mistakes, and that’s in large part due to limiting his contributions. He’s focused on putting quality possessions together, not finding his shot.

Austin Rivers – C-

Rivers started in place of Will Barton, who was a late scratch due to back stiffness. Barton was announced as the starter and did go through warmups but ran back to the locker room before tip-off.

PJ Dozier – A-

Dozier played a tremendous game off the bench. He knocked down his jumpers, set teammates up, and finally contributed to a win with more than raw effort. It was a composed display of skill.

Dozier logged four assists and did not turn the ball over. Each assist was a beauty — a tipped outlet, a smooth pump fake into a dish, a no-look bounce pass-through traffic, and an offensive rebound kicked back out for second-chance points.

JaMychal Green – B+

Green finally shot well, knocking down both 3s and finishing with 12 points. Every bench player shot with so much confidence. It was almost hard to believe, given what we’d seen all season. Green’s looked better of late, which is perhaps a byproduct of the shuffling rotation. Either way, a welcomed development.

Bones Hyland – A-

Hyland scored 18 points on nine shots, and this time he did it the Tressi way. Bones shot 4 of 8 from deep and dazzled with his handle as he shifted his way to the rim with ease. He’s already emerged as a lighthouse figure for the second unit. They look to him for guidance when navigating murky waters.

Just find No. 3 — that’s the way home.

Facundo Campazzo – B

It brings me great joy to report that Campazzo not only played but played well against Portland. He scored 13 points in roughly 22 minutes, including a 3 of 6 performance from deep. It’s hard to say if Portland’s porous defense was the most significant factor or if playing alongside Hyland and Zeke Nnaji unlocked something. Still, even Facu was able to penetrate and collapse the defense.

What a treat.

Zeke Nnaji – B

Nnaji didn’t do much damage near the rim, but he at least presented a roll threat insofar as he did roll, something Denver lacks when Jokić sits. Nnaji shot 2 of 3 from deep and grabbed 10 rebounds as well, including 4 OREB. That’s twice now that Denver’s bench looked comfortable and competent with Nnaji on the floor. He’s played himself right back into the conversation.

Office Hours

Unfortunately, I couldn’t write after the Hawks game, so let’s jump back to the Jok-less win over Indiana for Office Hours. Nnaji played well in that game as well, and I sold him short with a B+. This commenter succinctly summed up why it was an honor roll worthy performance from Friend Of The Show:

Ross Williamson | 11/11 | W vs. Indiana 

Gotta have Zeke at an A- for me. I don’t think we could’ve asked for much more from him. His rebounding looked much improved from last season, and he rediscovered his shot when the team needed him most.