Grades: Denver Nuggets Flub Finish in Cleveland

Nikola Jokić – A-

It happened again. In the fourth quarter and overtime period, the Nuggets couldn’t get the ball to Jokić, which cost them a 3-0 road trip. There must be a solution here—the first layer is Denver’s surrounding cast should be able to punish the overload, and they can’t. The second is coaching—is Denver content to post him up in futility and watch the meltdown? There has to be some adjustment, but we haven’t seen it from this undermanned and under-practiced squad. As far as what was in Jokić’s control, he is one of the league’s best rebounders, and while he can’t box out every player on the floor, he’s capable of covering for his teammates’ mistakes. He didn’t impose his will on the glass as Denver watched the lead slip away.

Aaron Gordon – C+

This grade might seem low to you. I expect it will for some. Gordon dropped 20 points and dished out five assists. He was active in the first half as he navigated the tolls of a long season in an elevated role. But Gordon turned it over seven times and couldn’t lock up Darius Garland down the stretch. AG’s grinding through it. His effort can’t come into question, but he hasn’t enjoyed the effortless success he found immediately in Denver. He’s slogging his way through the final third of the season.

Jeff Green – D+

Denver needed rebounding and defense more than anything from Green, and he could not oblige. Michael Malone closed with him as Denver needed the size to match Cleveland on the glass, but it’s a hollow proposition. Green is a terrible rebounder.

Will Barton – F

Barton’s process wasn’t terrible in Cleveland. His execution was. He took the third-most shots on the team, a fine slot to fill, but missed 11 of them. He finished with seven boards but couldn’t grab the ones that counted, and didn’t get a body on Cleveland’s relentless rebounders in the final minutes. His defense wasn’t good enough either, which is old news now. But without trust in Morris, Bones Hyland, or Barton in these situations, it becomes AG’s responsibility to lock down quick guards. It shouldn’t be.

Monte Morris – D+

Morris did not have a great first 20 minutes on the floor, but he never got a shot at redemption as he wasn’t on the floor to close the game. Malone opted for Bones Hyland instead and explained after the game that had more to do with how Hyland was playing than anything else. Still, the Nuggets had no two-man option when it mattered most, and Morris has proved himself in those situations. Jokić might’ve enjoyed his company.

Bones Hyland – A-

Hyland was excellent again off the bench and didn’t do anything wrong down the stretch, although he looked a little spent. Malone might’ve pushed his luck closing with the rookie. In Malone’s defense, Hyland and the bench were why the Nuggets held the lead in the first place. Hyland’s floor vision was on full display, and he puts a little flair on just about everything he does. Even the responsible reads get the blood pumping and momentum rolling. He did miss a three that could’ve tied the game. I’m sure he’s thinking about the opportunity more than any of us—still, another great game for the kid from Wilmington.

DeMarcus Cousins – A

Cousins was spectacular in limited time off the bench. He dropped 12 points, grabbed eight boards, and dished out two assists in only 15:30 on the floor. He and Bones filled Denver’s sails with a strong wind, pushing a becalmed ship back into action. Boogie’s two 3s were huge, and it would be a lot more fun to cite his minutes as a key to victory. Alas.