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After averaging 5.6 points, and 4.4 rebounds in 13.2 minutes over the Denver Nuggets eight preseason games, Jarnell Stokes was awarded the team’s 15th and final roster spot over Robbie Hummel and Nate Wolters.
It wasn’t an easy call for coach Michael Malone and general manager Tim Connelly to make, but in the end they wound up with a big man in Stokes who the coaching staff trusts to play significant minutes if called upon.
“When you look at our roster, the fact that Darrell Arthur hasn’t been able to get through a full practice yet, having another big body and Jarnell has done a very good job throughout preseason,” Malone said at practice Sunday. “Understanding our defensive game plan, rebounding, you can’t teach his size and physicality and his strength and he’s been finishing at a high level.”
Stokes might have won the job when he went for an impressive 16 points on 5-5 shooting with four rebounds against the Golden State Warriors this preseason. The fact that the 6-foot-8 big man who can play both frontcourt positions shot 16-22 (72.7 percent) in the restricted area throughout the preseason also helped his cause.
“If it gets to a situation where we have to play Jarnell, I trust him,” Malone said. “I think that’s an ideal 15th guy on your roster. A guy that when he’s not playing has a great attitude, continues to work hard and then when you call upon him, he’s ready to play and go out and do the job.”
The Nuggets plans to play the twin towers frontcourt of Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic significant minutes together this season which was also a contributing factor in keeping Stokes in Denver. Behind the Balkan duo the Nuggets are confident in Kenneth Faried‘s ability to play the five with the second unit, but with Arthur out, they need Stokes as insurance. Arthur was able to get through some parts of practice Sunday and Malone hopes he can participate again tomorrow. His status for the regular season opener October 26 in New Orleans is still up in the air.
“Obviously there’s going to be nights this year when we’re healthy where he’s going to be in a suit, lets be honest,” Malone said of Stokes. “But what we liked about Jarnell is no matter what’s going on he comes in every day with the right mindset, great attitude willing to work on his own game, but also willing to push the guys ahead of him.”
Footnotes
Gary Harris did not practice Sunday, but is expected to participate in some parts of practice Monday. There’s still hope he’ll be available for the Nuggets season opener in New Orleans October 26.
Emmanuel Mudiay practiced in full Sunday.
