The List: Malik Beasley and Jerami Grant, defensive stoppers

“The List” is a brand new series that serves as a companion piece for the “Notebook” episodes of the Locked on Nuggets podcast and the DNVR Nuggets podcast. In this edition, I share some notes on what fueled the win over the Dallas Mavericks.

1. Jerami Grant had one of his best games in a Denver Nuggets uniform last night, coming up with some big time defensive stops, none more impressive than this sequence against Luka Doncic.

Grant has been the team’s best option defending longer, stronger perimeter oriented players like Doncic. With Doncic, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Paul George, and even James Harden all possibly staring across at the Nuggets in a playoff series, it might make sense to try Grant more frequently as an on-ball defender, even against guards and small forwards. Teams like the Houston Rockets are not afraid to cross match their bigs onto guards and vice versa. Denver might have similar success with Grant.

2. The Nikola Jokic – Jamal Murray two-man game is already solid but there is constantly new wrinkles to be found through experimentation and chance. Last night, Murray began to back down Seth Curry in the post as Jokic was coming over to set the ball screen. Murray has a really good back-to-the-basket game and the size to bully a lot of guards so there might be something to reading these types of situations and Jokic positioning himself as a sort of spacer and cutter off of the Murray post up.

These types of reads shouldn’t be primary reads but I wouldn’t mind seeing Murray post a time or two per game for quick hits like the one they missed above.

3. This play epitomizes the struggle of playing Michael Porter Jr. heavy minutes.

The read is slightly more difficult than the casual fan will give it credit for. The screen is never set and in Porter Jr.’s mind, it shouldn’t warrant a switch. But Gary Harris clearly communicated that switch and Doncic himself seemed to know that Porter Jr. would screw up the exchange.

So while these kinds of reads are difficult to make if you haven’t ever played NBA basketball, it’s also a read that anyone who expects to play consistently at the NBA level must be able to make in their sleep. Right now, Porter Jr. is far too inconsistent with identifying subtle reads like this.

4. Jamal Murray is still only attempting 5.0 threes per game and only shooting 33% on those shots.

5. The biggest question regarding Grant’s long-term fit on the Denver Nuggets is how well he can be a rim protector and back side helper on the defensive end. Paul Millsap is elite at playing safety to Denver’s pick and roll defense and fits perfectly alongside Jokic on that end, masking many of Jokic’s physical shortcomings. Grant has not provided the same level of rim protection and help. Last night, however, he looked as solid as we’ve seen in that role since joining the Nuggets.

6. Malik Beasley made a key rotation to shut down the Mavericks’ hail Mary attempt from the corner. Impressive stuff for a guy not known for his defensive recognition.