Grades: Nuggets avoid playing down to Thunder

The Denver Nuggets can’t afford to fill their season with losses to bad teams after the slow start, and they needed whatever respite a three-quarter blowout of the Oklahoma City Thunder might provide. The Nuggets gave Malone the complete game he’s looking for — a rare occasion. Nikola Jokić cruised, Jamal Murray finally found some rest, and the bench unit kept it rolling Tuesday night.

Let’s go to the grades:

Nikola Jokić – A

If there’s even a small concern about filling one’s life with watching Jokić play basketball, it’s the danger of eventually taking him for granted. What Jokić pulls out of his hat each night isn’t normal, even if it’s par for the course now. He was spectacular in three quarters, and we’ll forget about this game in a matter of days. His 27 points, 12 rebounds (5 OREB), and 6 assists felt underwhelming. His 12/21 shooting performance somehow felt inefficient. The Jokić standard is MVP caliber play and nothing less. What a treat.

Will Barton III – B+

Haters, avert your eyes. Barton played well, and it’s time for Vogt to call an iso.

In just under 25 minutes, Thrill finished with 13 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds on 5/7 from the floor. It’s no coincidence the starting lineup with Barton included has thrived not just this season but seasons past here in Denver. In preceding years, anyone willing to move past the occasional frustrating play saw a player providing production that few non-stars can. This season, he’s struggled mightily since returning from a lengthy rehabilitation of his knee. And yet, the starters are solid with him out there again. The first, second, and third layer of that is Jokić’s greatness, of course. Still, few players on the roster seem to grasp the full extent of that greatness and how to leverage it into team success the way Barton does.

Here’s the glass of cold water for my own enthusiasm. Barton did the lion’s share of his damage from deep — which is good — but also necessary as his struggles inside continue. He’s not back yet, and while I’m not burying him, it might not be wise to hold one’s breath either. It’s going to be a process.

Paul Millsap – A-

Millsap turned back the clock grabbing 12 rebounds, including 4 offensive rebounds, to go with his 13 points on 5/10 shooting, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. He’s probably writing one of the final chapters of his career, and it’s not always going to be pretty. I’ll take these moments to appreciate him and what he’s provided Denver since signing the original team-friendly 2 + 1 deal. Forever underrated. 

Gary Harris – B-

What does it take for Harris to earn a B- or higher these days? Solid defense, and a couple of corner threes. Order up.

Harris was 4/9 from the field and chucked up one or two ill-advised shots, but he was 3/6 from deep. He’s still a competent shooter from the corners — a strong one, in fact — but no one will complain if he cuts the step backs and above the break threes out wholly.

Jamal Murray – D+

Predictably, Luguentz Dort made life difficult for a hobbled Murray. Murray played quite poorly, but that’s not the main takeaway. He only played 20 minutes, which is music to the ears of Nuggets fans. Or a feast for the eyes? Whatever. You can pick the metaphor.

Murray needs rest anyway he can get it right now, and Denver needed this result.

JaMychal Green – B-

I’m going to start prewriting JaMychal Green’s grades:

Played well, hit threes

— Brendan Vogt (@BrendanVogt) January 15, 2021

The tweet above is aging like the fine wine I can’t afford.

Green actually struggled a bit from the field Tuesday night, but the bench held its own as a unit, and he shot 2/5 from deep.

Monte Morris – A-

Where would the Nuggets be without Morris? Mr. Nugget shot 7/11 from the field Tuesday night and converted some sweet dimes from Jokić and Facundo Campazzo. He recorded five assists and turned the ball over once, which, by his standards, is an off night.

He’s always been solid at the rim, but Morris is converting at a better rate than last season despite taking looks with a higher degree of difficulty. Once, he merely finished plays. Now, at times, he’s pulling offense out of thin air.

Coming into tonight, Monte Morris was shooting a ridiculous 73% (19-26) at the rim this season, which is up from the 66% he shot last year, per Cleaning The Glass. That puts him in the 87th percentile league-wide. Morris has been Denver's third-best player this season. https://t.co/0AJYfARyk2

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) January 20, 2021

Facundo Campazzo – C

Campazzo didn’t shoot well. He didn’t play well, really, but that’s hardly important. The bench functioned as a unit, the Nuggets got the win, and Facu got this pass off:

Facu Campazzo with the between the legs pass! pic.twitter.com/t425T1OZrn

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 20, 2021

All is well.

Isaiah Hartenstein – B

Before the game, Malone told the media his plan is always to try Green and Hartenstein alongside each other for the first bench stint. From there, the circumstances of any given game will dictate the rotation. The comments were fitting as they preceded roughy 13 quality minutes from Hartenstein, who finished with 5 points, 7 rebounds, and was a +17. Malone must trust in his new backup center as the alternatives are untenable across an entire season. His doing so is arguably the most encouraging development of Tuesday night.

Clean Up Crew – N/A (Bol dunked!)

The garbage time crew (remaining roster minus Greg Whittington) took the floor together in the win over OKC, which is always a great sign. They didn’t play very well, but that’s less informative than the fact they played at all. Also, Bol Bol flushed a fast break jam. Here it is in all its glory:

Bol Bol grabs the defensive rebound and drives it the length of the court for the dunk.

Mesmerizing.#Nuggets #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/dCiiJWiySA

— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) January 20, 2021