Nikola Jokić – A-
Jokić picked up his first triple-double of the new campaign Friday as the Nuggets grabbed a road win against the defending champs. He spent much of the first half in cruise control while Denver was rolling, but he re-committed himself to the glass after a failure in Utah. As the game grew closer and time wound down, Draymond Green took on the Jokić assignment. Green battled with Jokić in a similar fashion to their matchup in the playoffs, but perfect offense beats perfect defense, and Joker had the last laugh.
Jokić is now just one triple-double shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most by any center in NBA history.
Michael Porter Jr. – B-
Porter Jr. put a stable performance together in the opener, but that’s not how I’d describe his performance against Golden State. Michael Giveth and Michael Takethaway. He did plenty of both on the road. The defense was a roller coaster, and he spent far too much time in no man’s land on that end of the floor. But this was a story of redemption for MPJ. As the wheels went loose in the second half, it became anything but a guarantee that Malone would turn to him to close the game. But Malone did, and Porter responded with the best defensive possession of his career.
If you’re curious about Mike’s offense — he shot 5 of 10 from 3-point range. The shotmaking is a bit ridiculous.
Aaron Gordon – D+
It’s as if AG forgot all about the first-round exit last season. After falling into a variety of Draymond’s traps and mind games the first few games, he acquitted himself with solid drives, grown-man rebounds, and tenacious defense. Then came an opportunity Friday night to show what he had learned, and the result was 0-6 from deep with only three rebounds and as many turnovers.
Six is too many attempts, but he also has to hit some of these shots, or playoff defenses will remain content to leave him wide-open. It’s a balancing act, and AG couldn’t keep two feet on the beam.
KCP – B+
It was a big shot-making night for the newcomer. Looking eerily like Will Barton sporting #5 and a headband, he went out and had a Barton-Esque first quarter. Pope scored 9 points on 4 of 5 shooting, showing his understanding of spacing and his quick-developing shot readiness on the floor with Jokić. There were some poor misses at the rim and a couple of turnovers throughout the game, and Denver’s starters ultimately did struggle to guard Golden State. But Pope is a noticeable upgrade defensively and looked like a capable piece on the other end in California.
Bruce Brown – A
Brown caught the start with Jamal Murray taking an expected night off before the home opener, and he fit right in with the starters. He’s a better option to guard Steph Curry than anyone on the roster last season, and Bruce brought his offense to the bay to boot. He dropped 20 points on 8-10 shooting, including 3-4 from deep — what a tremendous signing from Booth and company.
Christian Braun – A–
Did someone say, Calvin Booth? Booth’s first draft pick as a GM put a feather in both of their caps with tremendous minutes on the road against the premier organization and team in the NBA. There were some yips around the rim, but it hardly mattered, given his relentless effort and exceptional defense against some of the best perimeter players in the world.
There were times in last season’s playoff series when Denver could contain Steph and Klay Thompson, at least enough to hang with them, given Jokić’s just-add-water offense. But Jordan Poole was the shooter that broke their back, so I take great pleasure in presenting the following clip:
Bones Hyland – B+
Bones was much better in game two. He came in feeling loose and confident, dancing to the rim and shaking his way free of anyone left on an island with him. The same confidence that fueled his great minutes to start the game also came back to bite him in the second half. His play never turned disastrous, but his decision-making left room for growth. If he can learn to balance playing as Bizzy with playing like a floor general, he will thrive in this league. Nitpicks aside, he picked his game up on national tv. Bones loves the bright lights.
Davon Reed – C+
Reed only played about eleven minutes in this one and still looks the odd man out, but he grabbed three steals in that time and avoided costly errors while the bench rolled.
Jeff Green and DeAndre Jordan – A-
The vets also picked it up in game two. They combined for eight rebounds (four OREB), Jeff knocked down a couple of threes, and DAJ shot 4 of 4 from the floor. They played hard, as was required. The starters lost their minutes against the champs. It was a bench win.
