Grades: Denver Nuggets Take Care Of Business In Ball Arena

Nikola Jokić – A

Jokić struck the perfect balance between highly efficient scoring and wonderfully creative playmaking as the Denver Nuggets steamrolled the San Antonio Spurs. Jokić was in his bag, impressing even those who’ve followed his entire career, and his teammates were ready to finish the highlights. That last note is a fun feature of the new squad — they’ve got shooters everywhere, and it’s like a blank canvas for the Serbian artist.

I’m still thinking about this one:

Ok. OKAY. This pass from Jokić 🤯WATCH THE SECOND ANGLE pic.twitter.com/gyN3wpzw9h

— Katy Winge (@katywinge) November 6, 2022

Jamal Murray – A

Tre Jones was in hell to open this game. The Nuggets went right to Murray, who went right at the more diminutive Jones and helped Denver keep pace before their defense finally entered the ring. And Murray’s game took an even more encouraging turn from there. He’s impressed us lately with shotmaking, but against the Spurs, the game seemed to slow down for him. He picked San Antonio apart with a spectacular array of creative and timely passes. Murray took a virtually flawless approach to what had the makings of a classic trap game.

Michael Porter Jr. – A

Porter Jr. is off to a tremendous start in one of Denver’s most highly anticipated campaigns. Describe his game, and you’ve described a high-ceiling, low-floor player—a blue-chip talent with volatile impact. And yet, if one reflects on his season so far, he might best be described as a steadying force on the floor. He’s shooting the lights out, rebounding well, and playing harder on defense than his reputation would suggest. The MPJ-Brown substitution is almost too good to be true. Brown fits well with the starters in ways Porter doesn’t. Porter elevates the bench in a way Brown never could.

Aaron Gordon – A

AG brought the hustle in a contained role. He only shot six times and only tried once from 3 while working hard on the glass and avoiding any turnovers. He knows how to fill in the gaps when the big three are rolling. He also fully baptized someone — this angle doesn’t do it justice.

Jamal Murray drives and dishes inside to Aaron Gordon for the dunk#Nuggets pic.twitter.com/AlNtM3xu2e

— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) November 6, 2022

KCP – A

KCP took home the DPOG chain after an impressive all-around performance. He picked up four steals and played a crucial role in the starters pulling away after turning up the heat on defense. On offense, he may not know all the plays, but he’s got a knack for filling valuable space on the floor, and he’s lethal from three-point range.

Bones Hyland – A+

The Nuggets have a contender-caliber core and perhaps the best player in the world on the roster. Yet the phenom off the bench is most capable of stealing the show in Ball Arena. Bones turned a blowout into his showcase — firing from deep, dancing to the rim, throwing up the goggles after finding his teammates, and pumping up the crowd every chance he got. The starting unit will likely be terminators by January. If Bones can bring that juice in the non-Jokić minutes, good luck playing this team a mile high.

pic.twitter.com/Ucm7SCpQqq

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 6, 2022

Everyone Else – A

Why not?

Jeff Green grabbed four rebounds again, which, as we know, is the actual limit. DAJ grabbed eight boards and shot 5 of 6 from the field. Bruce Brown struggled from the field but still made an impact. Virtually everyone brought something to the floor.

Christian Braun was the only player to finish with a negative +/-, but we can give the rook a pass.

That’s not how every Nuggets game will go, but how some games in Ball Arena could look this season. Denver’s rolling.