"It feels really natural, it feels easy": The Jokic-Murray two-man game is back

Notes and observations from Day 2 of Nuggets training camp at the University of California, San Diego.

The Jokic-Murray two-man game is alive

It’s the Denver Nuggets’ identity and the foundation upon which this version of the Nuggets was originally built. The Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray two-man game is one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA. The only thing is we haven’t seen it for almost 18 months. That’s how long Murray has been out of the lineup.

At training camp this week in San Diego, the Jokic-Murray connection has resurfaced. We’re two days into camp and this Nuggets season is still especially young, but there have been promising developments regarding what’s sure to be Denver’s go-to action again this season.

“It was fun, you know. Like I said, it feels really natural, it feels easy,” Jokic said about playing with Murray. “I think we will be back really soon.”

Both Jokic and Murray seem to be in really good headspaces here at camp. Jokic was given the option to take Wednesday’s practice off by Michael Malone, but wanted to participate. He doesn’t seem like he’s exhausted, mentally or physically, or worn out at all from this summer’s EuroBasket tournament. He seems ready to go. Muray looks rejuvenated and refreshed in his first training camp since his ACL injury. The sense you get with him is that he’s simply thankful to be back in the mix and playing basketball at a high level again.

In terms of the Jokic-Murray two-man game, I expect it to be a lethal combination again this season. Throughout the course of 48 minutes, but also in the clutch, it should lead to ultra-high-quality offense.

Nnaji flashes

Zeke Nnaji had a great day today, based on Michael Malone’s comments and some of the chatter here in San Diego. I heard he shined defensively, got on the offensive glass a lot, and even had a poster dunk. Nnaji wasn’t mentioned in Malone’s original bench rotation with DeAndre Jordan at center and Jeff Green at power forward that he revealed on Tuesday, but that lineup isn’t set in stone and there’s still more than enough time for Nnaji to make a big impression here.

Another note on Nnaji: He’s been one of Denver’s most vocal defenders throughout two days of practice. That’s an intangible that’s always going to stick with Malone. Nnaji said at media day that he prefers to play power forward and Malone has referred to him as “an NBA big.” Today, Malone said he views Zeke as a center, but then said he’s also someone who can also shift to power forward. Translation? I think he’s still in the mix for potential minutes at backup center.

It was a very positive day for Nnaji.

The starting lineup is locked in

We know who the Nuggets’ starters are: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic. I don’t anticipate that group changing at all throughout the season unless it’s due to injury. Of those five, Caldwell-Pope is the only newcomer.

The rumblings here at training camp and throughout Denver’s offseason workouts have been that Caldwell-Pope’s fit is seamless. When Calvin Booth was scouring the market last season and this summer for two-guards that would fit best with Murray, Porter, Gordon and Jokic, and were also gettable, he always came back to Caldwell-Pope. He was that guy because of his ability to hit the 3, defend his position, his size, and his willingness to fill the role the Nuggets need him to.

Caldwell-Pope was held out of the scrimmage portion of Nuggets practice today due to a sore calf. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Bruce Brown. Christian Braun then replaced Brown on the second unit. I don’t think the soreness is anything serious though.

A veteran feel

For the first time in the Jokic era, the Nuggets feel like a veteran group. Some of that has to do with the fact that Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are both in their mid-late 20’s, but Denver also added a lot of veterans this summer, like DeAndre Jordan, Bruce Brown and Ish Smith. This team just has a more mature feel to it than it did even last year.

Several Nuggets players went to a San Diego Padres game Tuesday night. Jordan told me today that it all went on Green’s credit card. They’ll probably do another team activity tonight. There’s a cool level of comradery and normality to this group of players that you just haven’t sensed during past training camps.

Veteran players definitely have their value. They understand where this team is at. The Nuggets are contenders and a threat to win an NBA championship. Veterans with pedigree and experience know the type of chemistry that needs to be built here at training camp to make that goal become a reality.

“That’s why I think it’s cool that we’re in camp somewhere outside of Denver,” Jordan told DNVR today. “It’s kind of like a college vibe. We’re going back to the hotel. It’s kind of like dorms. Were spending a lot of time with each other. Being back in Denver, we’d be going back to our families. Now, we’re forced to hang out with each other. That brings that brotherhood and that bond that we’re going to need this year.”

More notes:

• There are two photos of Zeke Nnaji in Denver’s practice facility that were put up by Nuggets strength coach Felipe Eichenberger. One shows what Nnaji looked like before this summer and the other shows what he looks like now. It’s a before and after shot that’s telling anyone who looks at it what can be accomplished in one summer. Nnaji said at media day that he put on 10 pounds of muscle. In person he looks ripped.
• Ish Smith was asked what the perception of Jokic is around the league. “That he’s a two-time MVP and a bad boy,” Smith said.
• There was a do-it-yourself Acai Bowl buffet at practice today. Good shit.