Grades: Denver Nuggets rinse bitter taste out of their mouths in Phoenix

The Denver Nuggets feel as though they’ve got some unfinished business. A cracked and withered roster came to terms with a harsh reality in Phoenix when their previous season reached an unceremonious conclusion. Jamal Murray is still recovering, but the rest of the roster was healthy for the season opener against the Suns. The Nuggets found their dignity right where they left it in the Footprint Center.

The starters rolled, and the bench found its way after a halftime adjustment from Michael Malone. Let’s go to the grades on your undefeated Denver Nuggets.

Nikola Jokić – A

Jokić was a touch too loose with the rock in his opening stints, but he ultimately controlled the pace and outcome of this game. A dominant fourth quarter showing was the cherry on top of a performance that featured 27 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

The ease with which he found his groove in the fourth propelled Denver to a comfortable win. How the Nuggets will handle clutch situations without Murray is a question no closer to its answer. Denver, with Jokić at the helm, executed down the stretch and slammed the door shut.

Will Barton – A

Will Barton turned in a quintessential ‘Thrill’ performance. He played well with the starters and rescued the bench with some stagger minutes in the second half. Barton finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. He shot 8 of 14 from the field, including 4 of 8 from deep.

After the game, Katy Winge of Altitude asked Barton about his different approaches in various lineups.

Barton replied that when playing with the starters, he knows it’s his job to play through Jokić. He listed getting Porter Jr. going as the second priority. From there, he expects his chances to come organically with that group.
As for those minutes with the bench?

“I knew I had to turn my aggressiveness up a little bit.”

Aaron Gordon – A

I’m not sure I could have scripted a more encouraging start for Gordon. He looked great on defense and brought the energy on the boards. He finished with 12 points on 5 of 6 shooting, grabbed 8 rebounds, and threw in 4 assists for good measure. That is what an excellent game looks like for AG in Denver. If he’s got some scoring explosions in him this season, we’ll take it. But he doesn’t need them. He shifted into high gear when it mattered most on Wednesday night.

He also recorded a monster block which was undoubtedly a missed goaltending goal—tough scene for Phoenix—immaculate for Denver.

Michael Porter Jr. – A-

Porter Jr. played a great game, and he only took ten shots. He was lost at sea defensively in the first half but focused and came out ready to play winning basketball on both ends in the second. Porter Jr. tied a career-high with five assists, grabbed six rebounds, and stole the ball twice. He only shot the ball ten times, but he hit 6 of 10 from the field and 2 of 3 from deep.

It’s encouraging to see MPJ impact the game with timely passing and manipulate the attention he draws as a scorer. The Suns tried to punk him off the floor in that playoff series, and they succeeded at times. Porter responded with a mature performance tonight.

Monte Morris – C+

On the whole, Morris struggled some, and there’s little to write home about statistically. But he knocked down some big threes as a floor spacer and filled the game manager role well. Morris is the weak link by default in a potent offense. He was left open in crucial moments, and he made Phoenix pay.

Morris might be in for something of a slow start. This offseason didn’t go the way he planned after dealing with an injury. He’s still finding his rhythm. All the same, he helped Denver get the win on Wednesday night.

Jeff Green – C+

Green was the leading scorer of a bench unit that needed all 13 of his points. The Barton minutes changed the equation, but Green was essential to any second unit success. He knocked down 3 of his 6 shots from beyond the arc.

PJ Dozier – C+

The ‘composure’ nickname is increasingly hilarious and decreasingly apt for Dozier. He’s a great defender who makes winning plays, but he’s also an agent of chaos on the floor. We got a taste of the old Dozier and what we hope is coming in the same performance. Despite radiating some truly reckless energy through the TV screen and missing a free throw, he scored 10 points on 3 of 4 shooting from deep. He also grabbed 5 rebounds.

Office Hours:

I am introducing a new feature of the grades, office hours, with Professor Vogt. Are you unhappy with a particular grade? Comment on this post with your evaluation. I’ll include the best argument in the following report card.