Nuggets Roundtable: Are Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray ahead of schedule?

The Nuggets opened their preseason schedule with a win over the Suns in Phoenix. Tonight, Denver is in Chicago to visit the Bulls. What did Adam Mares, Harrison Wind, and Brendan Vogt think of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray’s performances in the preseason opener, and who do they have their eyes on in preseason game No. 2?

How would you grade Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray’s preseason-opening performances?

Adam Mares: Pass

If the preseason was an actual college course, Jokic and Murray would be seniors who are merely auditing this course for credit. They received a passing grade. The most important thing to me is that both look engaged and ready to hit the ground running. If I were to read into a second most important thing it is that I think Jokic is always making a point in everything he does. So shooting 11 times in 19 minutes seems to be his way of expressing that he is ready to set the tone for the team. This year, perhaps even more so than last year, is all business.

Harrison Wind: A-

Both Jokic and Murray played with more energy and determination than I feel they normally do in the preseason, and I wonder if it’s a continuation of what we witnessed at training camp. This Nuggets team is locked in and has the energy of a group that’s ready to hit the ground running once the season starts. Last preseason, Jokic attempted a total of three shots over his first two preseason games. He shot it 11 times vs. the Suns. Murray looked aggressive at times too. This team is confident, energized, and hungry to repeat. I think the preseason opener was a sign that both Jokic and Murray start the season strong.

Brendan Vogt: B+

Murray really impressed me. He looked shifty and light on his feet. He looked eager and able to set his teammates up. Sure, its only preseason, but he’s a notorious slow starter, and it was good to see him moving well.

Nikola Jokić did not impress me. But that does not concern me. He is, in fact, above preseason basketball.

What are you watching for against the Bulls?

Mares: Same thing as game one: The youngins

Peyton Watson remains the most important of the young guys and I hope to see him look more polished. As spectacular as he often is, he might have the longest way to go in that regard. Julian Strawther really showed me something on Tuesday. Was that just a hot game? Zeke Nnaji may matchup with Andre Drummond, a true center. Can he hold his own against someone so much bigger? And whether it’s Thursday against Chicago or later in the preseason, I hope we get Jalen Pickett with a real lineup. In both summer league and the first preseason game, he shared the court with another small guard way too often. I hope he gets a chance to just run point and to play alongside some of Denver’s many long shooting guards.

Wind: The bench — and Reggie Jackson

The Nuggets got positive performances from several members of the second unit in Phoenix. Julian Strawther played a near-perfect game off the bench. Zeke Nnaji had an encouraging night. Peyton Watson flashed his tantalizing skill set and upside. But I need a reassuring performance from Reggie Jackson soon if I’m going to feel really good about him leading that group. I think Jackson is a better player than he showed last season after Denver added him off the buyout market. It would be a great sign if he strung together some standout performances this preseason.

Vogt: Zeke Nnaji

Nnaji struggled somewhat in the Drew Eubanks matchup before punching the gas against Bol Bol. Zeke needs to be tenacious, and I’d love to see him string two good performances together. I’m fairly skeptical of his ability to contribute this season. Still, DAJ minutes seem like a disaster waiting to happen. Zeke needs to erase any doubt of his place in the rotation.

What’s your bold prediction for tonight?

Mares: What?

There’s no such thing as a bold prediction for preseason. I just can’t do it. I’ll give one for the preseason as a whole, though. I think we see minutes with all of the young guys. Pickett, Strawther, Tyson, Watson, Nnaji. And I think those minutes look good.

Wind: Peyton Watson has his coming out party

I thought Watson did some really good things in the preseason opener, but predict he will break out tonight in Chicago. I’m thinking 15+ points, +7 rebounds, and 5+ block/steals. He just needs to stay out of foul trouble so he can play enough minutes to put up those numbers.

Vogt: I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel for preseason bold takes. Perhaps Justin Holiday steals the show against his old team. He showed flashes of fitting right in during game one.