Nikola Jokić – A
It was a first quarter to forget for Jokić and the Nuggets in Charlotte. No one could hit a shot, and the defense was porous at best. Jokić was phoning it in on that end. But he turned the page on a slow start and, after checking back in with 7:43 remaining in the second quarter, whittled a double-digit lead back down to three.
Without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, and with Michael Porter Jr. scoreless, Jokić engaged his tier-one scorer’s mentality. He put up 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in the first half alone. Denver took the lead within minutes to start the third quarter and never looked back. The game was teetering on the edge in the first half, but all doubt was removed well before 15 checked out. As his minutes came to a close, the only real danger was losing his 50% or better streak from the field. Of course, he finished 11/22. It’s almost like he knew.
Michael Porter Jr. – C+
Porter played a legitimately awful first half. He didn’t score a point and floated gloomily, aimlessly around the court like a ghost in a manor. He was thoroughly checked out. The best scorers have short memories, though, and MPJ took the floor in the third like an amnesia case. Porter had a quarter, scoring 9 points quickly before he missed a shot. He put up 14 in the second half on 6 of 8 shooting and got his head back in all facets of the game.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – B-
After existing on another plane beyond the perimeter for most of the season, KCP is returning to reality. We could call it a regression, or we could call it a well-earned slump. The shot will come back around, and we can cut him slack so long as he continues playing this hard. Pope might be the best Nugget of the Jokić-era when it comes to stealing without fouling. He finds a way to rip the ball free from players in an era when perimeter defense is essentially outlawed. It reminds me of Shaq Harrison, although Pope brings more to the table.
Bruce Brown – B-
Brown wasn’t particularly inspiring in the lead point guard role, but it was a much-improved effort from the loss in Orlando. And this time, he at least shot the ball well. He played well offensively. It’s worth noting again, unfortunately, that the more he adds to his plate on offense, the less of a defensive specialist he becomes.
Vlatko Čančar – B
Vlatko played well. His off-ball movement provided some of the only offense in the game’s early minutes. Unsurprisingly, he’s a great fit alongside Jokić. He knows when to cut, is sneaky athletic at the rim, is a good corner shooter, and makes good decisions with a numbers advantage. A successful spot-start for the Slovenian Sensation.
Ish Smith – B-
Ish struggled from the field but did his best to keep the ball moving. He racked up eight assists in twenty minutes and drew two charges as the low man. That, if you can believe it, drew praise from Michael Malone.
Christian Braun – A-
Braun wrought havoc off the bench, picking up four steals in 26:33 on the floor. He’s well on his way to joining KCP as a vaunted ball-hawk and already has an argument for Denver’s best defender on the roster. Malone awarded him the coveted DPOG chain after the win. What a treat, then, that he added 11 points and 7 rebounds on 5 of 8 shooting.
Jeff Green – B-
Green scored in double digits and grabbed four rebounds (the Jeff Green double-double). He played with more effort and, to his defense, appears to be significantly limited by the wrapped left hand. The vets played well Saturday night. We’ll put a 24-hour moratorium on the complaints.
DAJ – C+
Thomas Bryant was available after traveling but didn’t play until garbage time. Malone went with Jordan, and it worked out. Jordan struggled to defend without fouling and turned it over three times. Still, he fought on the glass and posed a legitimate lob threat. The second unit accomplished its mission — keeping its heads above water.
