Grades: Denver Nuggets Go Ice Cold in Memphis

“I didn’t think we were ready to play.”

Michael Malone

Nikola Jokić – B+

Jokić was the best player in the first half, but Ja Morant ran away with that distinction, and the Grizzlies ran away with the game in the second. Jokić handed a competitive game to a dreadful bench in the third quarter, and by the time he returned, the game was all but over. If there’s an area to criticize, Jokić didn’t dominate the glass as he had all season. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Nuggets 55-40, a significant factor in the loss. That’s where Jokić needed to be better. He played well outside of those relative struggles, filling up the box score on both ends. He finished with 23 points on 9 of 15 shooting, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 blocks.

Michael Porter Jr. – C-

A Porter Quarter felt in the air, but the dark clouds never broke. His eight rebounds and three assists weren’t enough to overshadow 0 for 3 from deep. Despite starting the game with nine points on just five shots, he finished with only 10. He shot 0 of 4 from the floor in the second half. We at least saw more of the improved passing, but it’s becoming more difficult to ignore the elephant in the room in favor of morsels of hope. The slump continues, as does the timidity. The pressure is escalating.

On a broader note, Porter wasn’t alone in his struggles from deep. Denver shot 9 of 38 from three-point range.

Aaron Gordon – B+

Michael Malone called his players out for failing to show up ready. That shouldn’t apply to Gordon, who turned in quality performance and played hard until a finger to the eye derailed his night in the third quarter. The Jaren Jackson Jr. matchup looked awkward for him initially, but ultimately it was a contained performance from the youngster, and the box score is boosted by two lucky 3s. Denver lost steam when Gordon left the game.

Will Barton – D+

Barton played poorly for a second consecutive game, but this time there was no hero moment. He shot 1 of 8 from the floor, and while he did record four assists, he turned it over twice as well. Additionally, Barton got smoked by Ja Morant. So did Monte Morris and even PJ Dozier in the interest of fairness. Nonetheless, Barton’s sputtering after a fast start. He’s off to the side of the road, checking under the hood. Denver needs him back on the road Wednesday night.

Monte Morris – C+

Morris played a solid game, but the shots he couldn’t hit rang loudly. He shot 1 of 5 from deep, and that handful of misses included some crucial chances. Still, he dished out six assists and only turned it over once—The Full Monte. 

Facundo Campazzo – D

Campazzo is playing dreadful basketball to start the season, and his playstyle provides virtually nothing to the second unit right now. To put that entirely on Facu’s stocky shoulders would miss the point—Denver’s bench unit is terrible. But even his staunchest supporters can’t close their eyes and pretend he’s playing well. Without an actual roll threat or multiple floor spacers alongside him, Campazzo is putting zero pressure on the defense. His lack of scoring is a significant factor in the struggles and played an unfortunate role in that nightmare third quarter.

When you’re able to go this far under on screens, it mostly eliminates the threat of a player rolling to the basket.

A guard need to be able to take advantage of this much space, when guys are going that far under the screen. Either pull the trigger on the 3, or drive and kick. pic.twitter.com/rBcjVAKNOX

— Jake Coyne (Stat Squatch) (@BroncoSquatch) November 2, 2021

Bones Hyland – C+

Bones played with great energy and flashed the talent and relative composure we’ve already come to appreciate. He is, however, still a rookie. He shot 3 of 10 from the field and wasn’t exactly a cure to Denver’s many ails. Any struggles are par for the course, and he still looks ahead of the curve in more ways than one.

Bones playing over Austin Rivers is a step in the right direction. Barring an unlikely turnaround to Campazzo’s three-point shooting, Bones should also start eating into those minutes.