Nuggets Mailbag: Would an "enforcer" help Denver in a potential playoff run?

Submit your questions on Twitter using #TalkNuggets or through email BSNNuggets@gmail.com. Mailbag gets posted every Friday.

What do you see as more likely: Jamal Murray becoming an elite level driver or shooter? – @Kroekdogg

The easy answer is both, which is certainly possible. After a 2-21 slump to start the year Murray is quietly 7-17 from deep over his past three games and is shooting with confidence. But his percentages should still climb gradually over the rest of the season. He’s still shooting just 30 percent on catch-and-shoot threes and missed a ton of uncontested jumpers to open the season. Murray needs to develop a bit more discipline within his form, something Nuggets’ coach Michael Malone has referenced, and needs to stay with his shot longer on the release. But the tools are there and I’d bet he finishes the season shooting 37 percent or so from distance. Murray’s also a skilled penetrator and against the Raptors, he took advantage of the driving lanes that opened up because of Paul Millsap’s threes. He’s also shooting an elite 75 percent from the restricted area. Because he still could tighten up his handle I’d go with an elite shooter.

Will Hassan Whiteside‘s 2K rating be impacted by the Nuggets – Heat game? – @Shapalicious

In all seriousness, Whiteside just returned from a five-game absence on Wednesday due to a bone bruise in his knee and scored 13 points on 6-11 shooting and grabbed 14 rebounds in 26 minutes but finished with a -3 +/-. On the year, the Heat are a worse team (-9) with him on the floor but he had a couple big games against Denver last season. He put up 25 points, 16 rebounds, and blocked four shots in Miami’s first meeting with the Nuggets and had his way with then-starter Jusuf Nurkic in a 106-98 Heat win. Later in the year he went for 16 and 11 and couldn’t contain Nikola Jokic who posted a 19-point, ten-rebound and seven-assist line in a three-point Miami loss. It seems like he has some issues with Jokic and is probably still getting back from the knee injury so I’ll say his rating drops, but just slightly.

Should Denver pursue an “enforcer” going forward? – @SoulerRays

An enforcer? Those are a rare breed in the NBA these days. Matt Barnes, Udonis Haslem, James Johnson, Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, David West. That might be all I’ve got. Denver definitely doesn’t have that type of guy on their roster and come time for the playoffs I’m sure one of those names would be available on the buyout market. The Nuggets will probably be buyers at the trade deadline but they should look to make a more significant upgrade like Jared Dudley, who’s a tough-nosed combo forward. But Denver would be wise to scoop up an enforcer if one becomes available and they’re in playoff contention but only if it’s the right guy (no thanks, Matt). It would give the Nuggets more of an edge and wouldn’t cost much. But Richard Jefferson‘s experience might be more valuable.

Why did Malone not let Jokic get a triple-double in the fourth quarter versus Toronto? – @g_dukic

Because Malone’s job security isn’t tied to Jokic’s triple-doubles. Because a freak Jokic injury would derail Denver’s season. Because Jokic doesn’t care. Should I go on? Look, Denver was up 103-71 entering the fourth and Jokic played the first 4:19 of the quarter — probably 4:19 too much. The end.