Grades: Nuggets Drop Pistons in Cousins Debut

Nikola Jokić – A+

Jokić posted 34, 9, and 8, which might be his worst line in the last six games. The Big Man is operating on another level right now, looking a markedly better player than the one who threw his hat in the ring for Best Player Alive last season. The Pistons opted against the hard double team. They sent late help sporadically, especially near the end of the third quarter, but Jokić had room to catch the ball and breathe. The result was 34 points on 19 shots. If you’re looking to nitpick, he shot 1 of 6 from deep, but that’s about it as criticisms go. Even his defense was on point — each of his two steals and one block came against the number one overall pick, Cade Cunningham.

Will Barton – B+

Over his last few games, Barton is trending in the right direction, building momentum on top of a strong foundation — the two-man game with Jokić. Barton’s finding Jokić more often lately and feeding him in advantageous positions. Thrill finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists to just 1 turnover. On the defensive end, he wasn’t great, but he did make the biggest play of the game. Barton noticed Morris struggling to stop Corey Joseph in crunch time and called for the assignment with roughly 45 seconds remaining. Barton fought over a screen, let Joseph get inside position, and wrapped an arm around to poke it loose from behind. It’s a gamble, but it looked like a calculated one.

Aaron Gordon – B-

AG took the Cade matchup early, creating mismatches on the other end. Gordon worked early in both transition and the half-court to dig out deep position on the smaller Cunningham, earning buckets or forcing fouls. The big knock: he turned it over four times. Still, AG’s passing is popping lately, and that continued against Detroit even if the AST/TOV ratio was ugly.

Austin Rivers – C+

Rivers remains allergic to a good ol’ fashioned catch-and-shoot opportunity, but he helped more than he hurt in a spot start. He looked good around the rim and fought hard through a moving screen to deny an open three-point look and help seal the win.

Monte Morris – C

Morris shot 1 of 9 from the floor, and Joseph took him to the woodshed. Morris did rack up seven assists, however. And as for the shooting, it’s worth noting that Malone staggered him alongside the bench at the end of the first. Malone’s decision makes for the most interesting detail of Morris’ night. Is this the new rotation?

Bryn Forbes – B

Forbes scored 12 points off the bench. It’s almost jarring to watch such a willing shooter alongside a group that’s been more comfortable swinging the ball along the perimeter than looking at the rim all season long. He knocked down two 3s, including an inspiringly clean catch-and-shoot look from the wing. The Nuggets have a shooter.

Facundo Campazzo – B-

Campazzo doesn’t struggle with the Detroits of the world. The lesser talented and lesser disciplined won’t out-hustle him or out-work him on some random night in January. You know Campazzo’s feeling it when he reaches in and rips the ball from an opponent, and that’s exactly what he did to Nuggets legend Rodney McGruder in the first quarter. Facu also finished with 9 points on 4 of 6 shooting and 3 assists.

Zeke Nnaji – B

Nnaji shot 5 of 5 from the field, including 2 of 2 from deep. Nnaji is a shooter, and so is Forbes. Toss in a legitimate backup center, and you’ve reshaped the makeup of this second unit. Was it just Detroit, or did Malone find a better formula here?

DeMarcus Cousins – C

Cousins made a positive impact just by looking the part. He grabbed six rebounds in under 12 minutes and sent some bone-crunching screens. Cousins didn’t shoot or move particularly well, but he helped the bench unit get the job done. He and Malone shared a moment on the court and expressed their mutual appreciation off of it. “Genuine love,” Boogie called it.

Davon Reed – B-

It’s unclear if Reed was a part of the original plans or if he checked in simply because Barton found himself in early foul trouble. Either way, Reed logged 12:13 off the bench and knocked down 2 of 3 from deep. Reed’s a better-looking shooter than we’ve given him credit for thus far. He’s shooting over 40% on the year at a low volume.