Can JaMychal Green help the Nuggets forget about losing Jerami Grant?

Jamal Murray remembers JaMychal Green’s physicality on the glass, the power forward’s knack for coming up with loose balls and how Green’s ability to hit pick-and-pop threes in the Western Conference semifinals forced the Nuggets to change up their defensive scheme.

When Paul Millsap recalls the paint wars he’s waged against Green over the years, he’s reminded of Green’s relentless attitude and will to win. Now, Millsap’s just happy the only battling he’ll have to do with Green this season is on the Nuggets’ practice court.

“At the end of the day, I’m just glad he’s on our team,” Millsap said of the Nuggets’ top free agent signing. “He’s one of those power forwards you hate to go up against.”

Green was the Nuggets’ counter to the stunning right cross they took on the chin during the opening night of free agency. After Jerami Grant blindsided Denver and jumped ship to Detroit, the Nuggets turned their attention to their Plan B and Green. Denver had pursued Green in the summer of 2019 up until they ironically enough landed Grant in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Grant now gone, the familiarity between the two sides made for a natural partnership this time around.

A healthy relationship with Nuggets coach Michael Malone also helped bring Green to Denver. Green admires the confidence Malone has in his players and the level of comfortability and trust that the Nuggets seem to have in one another on the court. Denver’s play style and top-end talent was attractive to Green too. He wanted to play for a contender and thinks the Nuggets can be just that with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

“They never stand still. There’s always cuts and moving and they always hit the open person,” Green said. “They’ve got great talent. Jamal and Joker, some of the top players in the league right now. And what they showed in the bubble, the sky’s the limit for them.”

Of course, Green saw Jokic and Murray’s talent and the Nuggets’ spirit firsthand during last season’s Western Conference Finals where Denver staged a historic 3-1 comeback. Green had a strong series against Denver. He recorded a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double in Game 2 and was one of the few Clippers to show up in Game 7, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds.

The fight that the Nuggets showed when they were trailing 3-1 in the series and down by 15 points early in the third quarter of Game 5 stuck with Green. He wanted to be surrounded by players who shared his resolve, grit and toughness. The bruising, 6-foot-8 forward found that in Denver.

“Blowing a 3-1 lead, they just fought,” Green said. “They just showed you the type of heart they had.”

Out of the seven new faces in Denver, Green will be the most featured this season. Last year he averaged 21.7 minutes per game off the bench for a contender. With the Nuggets, Green will slot into a similar role as a reserve with Millsap expected to retain the starting power forward position, but his playing time could be upped with Denver likely to ease its regulars and veterans into the season with lighter minutes loads.

Green is a very reliable off-the-bench big. He was pursued by a number of playoff-bound teams at the onset of free agency because he’s dependable and sturdy at the power forward position.

But can he replace Grant?

In the regular season, yes. In the playoffs, we’ll see.

Grant was actually a negative player last season, according to Denver’s on/off splits.

In a regular season environment, Denver won’t miss a beat with Grant gone. The Nuggets could in fact be better off with Green, who’s a better rebounder and defender at the power forward position. Green’s also a better career three-point shooter than his predecessor at the backup four, although the two shot similar percentages from distance over the last two seasons. He’s much more physical in the paint than Grant too.

In the playoffs is where the Nuggets will miss Grant’s versatility. Grant’s most valuable skill to the Nuggets was his ability to guard Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the dangerous types of premier scoring wings that will likely dot Denver’s playoff path in future seasons. Simply put, the Nuggets don’t have a good fallback option after letting Torrey Craig walk in free agency.

As for Green, his mild-mannered nature off the court and bulldog-like mentality on it will fit like a glove in Denver. Over the next 72 games, the Nuggets will forget Grant was even in Denver last season. The playoffs is a different story.

“I think JaMychal is kind of a dog,” Jokic said. “We need that kind of player.”