Grades: Denver Nuggets cruise past Hawks in Aaron Gordon’s debut

The new-look Denver Nuggets took on the Atlanta Hawks Sunday night in their ‘Earned’ edition jerseys. Aaron Gordon and JaVale McGee were both active, and Gordon caught his first start in Paul Millsap’s place. With just one new player in the lineup, somehow, the Nuggets looked a completely different team. Suddenly teeming with size and athleticism, the starters rolled in the 126-106 win. Gordon took to the bench to chop it up with the staff and share some laughs with his new teammates in the fourth quarter. It was the most significant margin of victory to date in Gordon’s season.

“It’s the real deal here,” Gordon told Altitude’s Chris Dempsey after the game.

The starters cruised, the bench played well, and Bol Bol lit it up in garbage time.

Let’s go to the grades.

Nikola Jokić – A

Nikola Jokić lived out a fantasy in Ball Arena alongside his new teammate. Finally, for arguably the first time in his tenure, Denver surrounded Jokić with the right kind of pieces. He barely broke a sweat and nearly broke a smile in his 28:13 on the floor. He finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds (3 OREB), and 8 assists. It would have been another triple-double if Denver needed it, but they didn’t.

Jokić hadn’t played with Gordon before, but he knew just how to manipulate Gordon’s impact on the defense nonetheless. In his first assist of the night, Jokić curled to the free-throw line, received a pass from Barton, and stopped. Gordon was in the dunker spot, both Tony Snell and John Collins fearing his athleticism, they cheated in. Jokić stared them all down and delivered a no-look laser to Porter in the corner — cash.

Three of Jokić’s assists were finished off by the new guy, the last of which ended with Gordon still swinging on the rim as he pointed to his new quarterback in acknowledgment of the dime.

Jamal Murray – A

We can start in the minutes column, where Murray logged 30:56. He, too, cruised alongside his fellow starters and found himself enjoying some rest for once down the stretch. Murray shot 7/11 from the field on his way to 17 points. Nothing to write home about, which I’d guess suits him just fine this time.

Michael Porter Jr. – A

It’s going to be a lot harder to match up with Porter after the Gordon trade. Not only will Gordon command bigger defenders himself, freeing things up for the nearly seven-foot-tall sharpshooter, he also commands more attention than Millsap. It’s officially picking your poison time for Denver’s opponents, and Porter’s looking poisonous. He finished with 15 points (6/12 shooting), 10 rebounds (5 OREB), and 3 assists while picking up 0 fouls and recording 0 turnovers.

Aaron Gordon – A

I know why you’re here, and I’m sorry to make you wait. It’s time for Gordon’s first report card in a Denver Nuggets uniform.

It’s an ‘A,’ of course. Gordon passed his first tests with flying colors. He played within a new role, looked comfortable within that role, played encouraging defense on John Collins, and feasted off this potent offense’s pre-existing dynamics. Gordon scored in the first half off a familiar corner action — well, it was familiar to Jokić and Murray. Gordon looked almost confused as the play developed, but he cut hard and found himself sprung free for a wide-open dunk nonetheless. We call that baby food here, Aaron.

Another gem came right out of the gate to start the second half. With Murray, Porter, and Will Barton III spacing the floor, Jokić called for Gordon’s high screen. Gordon rolled, Jokić found him quickly, and Gordon could have backed an 18-wheeler through the lane if he had to. It ended in a thunderous dunk.

Will Barton III – B

Barton was aggressive to open the game, which ruffled some feathers on the old bird app. But Barton scored efficiently in the first half, and he was aggressive with good reason. Sliding back down to his natural position, Barton is suddenly well suited for the task physically. He’s taller and longer than some shooting guards, and the defense’s attention is spread thin already with so many weapons alongside him. It’s ok for Barton to be aggressive in those moments — the right thing to do, even. But he has to learn when to turn it on and off. He forced the issue too deep into the night and chucked up some ill-advised shots. No harm done in the end. Still, that’s what Barton must figure out going forward.

Paul Millsap – B+

Millsap looked comfortable and useful in 20 minutes off the bench. This role looks good on him.

JaMychal Green – A

Green led the Nuggets in scoring with 20 points in 13:53 off the bench. It’s been a minute now since we’ve seen Green play at a high-level. He set a season-high with that mark and reminded us why we all loved that signing so much before his second injury. He looked in rhythm from three, dominant down low, and had his way on the glass.

Facundo Campazzo – B

Did someone order a bounce-back game? Facu’s contributions were modest in the win, but he looked much better on both ends of the court. He knocked down both of his attempts from three — his only shots of the night — and recorded five assists. He looked a pest when defending Trae Young too.

PJ Dozier – C

Dozier struggled more than this teammates Friday night. He made just one field goal and scored only two points in 19:02 off the bench.

Clean Up Crew (Markus Howard, Zeke Nnaji, Vlatko Cancar, Bol Bol)

The victory cigar lineup took the court together to finish off the blowout. Bol scored eight points in five minutes on 3/3 shooting and 2/2 from 3. The best show in all of garbage time.

Game Notes: JaVale McGee did not play (coach’s decision). This decision doesn’t necessarily reflect Michael Malone’s intended utilization. McGee is expected to play depending on the matchup.