Grades: Facundo Campazzo impresses, but Denver Nuggets fall short in preseason opener

Facundo Campazzo – A-

The preseason is underway, and rookie Facundo Campazzo missed the memo on how most players his age approach these exhibition games. The 29-year-old guard is as accomplished as it gets on the international level, but he’s vocal about how eager he is to prove himself in the NBA. Campazzo captured the heart of Michael Malone without question, and I’d wager a good portion of the fan base as well in the Denver Nuggets’ opener.

International basketball fans promised us a fiery guard whose passing resembles wizardry, defense inspires, and passion for the game is limitless. Campazzo delivered. His first stint was bumpy, as was most of the second unit’s. He took the court alongside Monte Morris and PJ Dozier—the favorites to comprise 1-3 on the bench until Will Barton is ready—and they struggled to score. But ‘Facu’ found a groove in the second half, willing Denver to a near-comeback with flashy passing and some elite Tiny Guard finishing around the rim.

The last time we all convened at The DNVR Bar for Nuggets basketball, we were sweating out the results of an electric playoff run. Watching Campazzo press virtually every possession, fight through screens, and dive headfirst for a loose ball, I almost started sweating again.

Dear #NBA ! Let me introduce you @facucampazzo .#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/jt6T9uLEjC

— Ron McCloskey (@BballRegulator) December 13, 2020

Nikola Jokić – A+

If you ask Vlatko Cancar, we’ve got the book wrong on Nikola Jokić. He’s goofy, sure, and humble beyond recognition for a star of his magnitude. But he’s still built for this. From the outside looking in, we have a lousy perspective on how locked in Denver’s best player is. We’re all allowed one earnest overreaction per preseason game, and Jokić is the subject of mine: the big fellow is on a mission this season.

Jokić looked slim, quick, and engaged. He put up 26 points, 10 rebounds (including 4 OREB), and 5 assists on 9/11 shooting in less than 23 minutes. He made it look easy too. There are two conflicting realities in play here. The first is that these games only tell us so much. The second is that we all expected Jokić to phone it in. And yet, if not for that try-hard Campazzo, he was running the floor as hard as anyone out there. If you’re on the fence about contacting our friends at Draft Kings regarding a dark horse MVP run and you’re hoping some shameless homer will tip you over the edge, allow me to oblige. Denver’s best player looks like he has something to prove.

Nikola Jokic with the CRAZY outlet.. off the made bucket! 🤯@nuggets x #NBAPreseason

📲💻: https://t.co/QYhIeWqSiu pic.twitter.com/1TEUhpwhtP

— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2020

Gary Harris – A- 

Which Gary Harris will show up in the 2020-21 season? An aggressive one showed up to play in Chase Center. Harris scored 11 points on 5/11 shooting, but it’s the type of shots he took that are encouraging. Remember the floater? I’m sure you do. If you’re subscribed to DNVR for the Nuggets coverage, it’s probably seared in your brain like mine. No floaters on Saturday night. Instead, we saw Harris drive to the rim with confidence on more than one occasion. He even slipped a vintage off-ball cut from the glory days into the mix.

The offense comes and goes, but the defense does not. Harris was his usual self on that end of the court, where few guys appear to enjoy the grind as he does.

Monte Morris – B-

Monte Morris recently signed the feel-good extension of the offseason. The whole situation seems like a win for anyone who follows Nuggets basketball closely, and now it’s time to see if Morris and company can indeed “finish what (they) started” in Denver. The second unit is chock-full of playmakers, although they lack finishers and self-creators. It should take time for the three-guard unit to gel. Morris found a groove in the second half after a tough first stint, finishing with 10 points on 5/11 shooting.

Jamal Murray – C

Jamal Murray was one of the best players in the bubble not too long ago, rising to the occasion on basketball’s biggest stage. This game made for a much smaller occasion on a much smaller stage, and Murray’s effort was appropriate. He stood out more on the bench embracing Campazzo’s impact than he did on the court, and that’s perfectly fine.

Michael Porter Jr. – C-

If you tuned in to see Michael Porter Jr, destroyer of worlds, then you tuned out empty-handed. Porter missed some open looks, then pressed the issue as a certain comfort level continues to evade him alongside the starters. This young man’s first instinct is to shoot the basketball, but he’s trying to fight his instincts and see the bigger picture. There will be nights like this.

Paul Millsap – D

Let’s focus on the good news:

• Millsap was 2/4 from deep.

That’s pretty much it on the good news.

JaMychal Green – D+

Green faded into the background for the lion’s share of his 19+ minutes.

PJ Dozier – B-

Dozier is the early favorite to play the backup wing minutes should Denver not have Will Barton ready to go on opening night. He’s well-sized for a guard and spent the offseason training for that specific challenge on the defensive end. Dozier scored 7 points on 3/6 shooting Saturday, but the three-guard lineups suffered from a redundancy of skill sets. His ability to succeed in positions 1-3 will also depend on his outside shot growth. Someone needs to stretch this defense.

Isaiah Hartenstein – C+

Nothing to write home about from Hartenstein’s debut. Then again, how much could be said about a player tasked with filling Mason Plumlee’s shoes? It looks like Hartenstein can burn some minutes at the backup center position. Modest mission accomplished for Tim Connelly.

RJ Hampton – D+

Hampton looked a lot like a rookie. That’s to say, he was just running around out there. However, I should note that he looks great when he runs. Some guys move differently out there. Most star players pop in that way. Hampton pops, even if there are few positive results to speak on.

Zeke Nnaji – B

Nnaji finished with seven points, one block, and a real shot at eventual fan-favorite status, judging by our postgame show’s comment section. High effort can lift you to the top of sloppy games like these, and Nnaji is a high-effort player. He made a solid first impression.