The day we’ve all been waiting for turned quickly into one we’re eager to forget Wednesday, as the Denver Nuggets disappointed in their season-opening loss to the Sacramento Kings at home. Jamal Murray no-showed, Barton’s poor second-half marred a strong first 24, and the second unit struggled.
Let’s go to the first report cards of the season.
Jamal Murray – F
What did Murray have in store for an encore performance to his electrifying playoff run? Arguably the worst game of his career. In a little over 34 minutes, he finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist on 1/9 shooting. He also fouled out—mercifully—the only thing that could have stopped someone from blowing by him. He didn’t hit his shots, he didn’t create opportunities for others, and he had little to offer on the defensive end. He looked slow, the game looked too fast, and he never found his rhythm. There’s something close to predictable about this. Murray was never likely to pick up where he left off as one of the very best players on the planet, but I’d imagine few predicted him to look this bad.
Nikola Jokić – A+
Let’s take a trip over to the other end of the spectrum, where we’ll find Nikola Jokić and his masterful performance. The Kings had no matchup for him. Poor Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes took the court like lambs to the slaughter. If the help never came, Jokić scored. When the help did come, he knew it was coming before the defense did. He was eerily calm from start to finish, in full control of a game that looks difficult for so many at this level. He finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds, 14 assists, and 3 blocks on 11/18 in just under 42 minutes. So much for my wishful prediction of more blowouts this season. Jokić dragged them again.
Michael Porter Jr. – A-
A game-winning defensive play from Porter was halfway across the finish line in this one, which would have been a perfect way to cap off his strong performance. MPJ was indeed targeted and a bit behind the curve on the defensive end, as we all expected. Still, he made a positive impact. With Murray MIA, there was not only room but a need for a more significant Porter dose. He finished with 24 points on 9/15 shooting with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. He was the second-best player in a Nuggets uniform.
If you somehow missed it, Porter ultimately did start this game over Will Barton III.
Paul Millsap – B+
Are you looking for more silver linings? Millsap was solid. In just over 36 minutes, he finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists on 7/13 shooting. There was no offseason trip to the fountain of youth — Millsap is still playing well below the rim and looks increasingly slow. Still, he also looks fresh to start the season and like a different player from the one who struggled in last season’s playoff run.
Will Barton – C+
Barton got stuffed at the rim for what would have been a game-sealing dunk. It was the exclamation point on a poor second-half, one that wasted a return to form in the first two quarters. Barton finished with 16 points on 7/16 from the field with 4 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Barton’s 16 shots and inability to finish that play will stick with some, but in my opinion, his defense is what deserves the lion’s share of the criticism. It looked too easy for Harrison Barnes.
Gary Harris – C+
Harris has no feel on the offensive end anymore. He’s lost out there, to be frank. He had his moments on defense, especially to close the game, but he was 0-4 from deep and provided little value as a ball handler.
PJ Dozier – B
Longbois are out, and the minilads are in—maybe. Michael Malone busted out his first four-guard lineup in the first half, pushing PJ Dozier to Power Forward alongside Barton, Facundo Campazzo, and Monte Morris. It was a fun and novel idea, until it quickly turned into a horrible idea, through no fault of Dozier’s. He finished 3/5 from the floor with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.
For context: JaMychal Green and Greg Whittington were unavailable. Bol Bol did not play.
Monte Morris – D+
It’s safe to say this wasn’t how Morris envisioned his first real game after signing an extension with Denver. That funky and tiny second unit got off to a rocky start, and Morris suffered the worst of it as his skill set was limited in a four-guard lineup. He finished just 1/6 from the field with zero assists.
Isaiah Hartenstein – C-
Hartenstein committed four personal fouls in less than 9 minutes, which doesn’t help to quell the Plumlee comparisons. It’s hard to believe he finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. I only seem to remember him running into people and falling over.
Facundo Campazzo – C
Campazzo sank the only shot he took in his NBA debut—a three-ball from the corner. That would be the only column he filled in a little over 8 minutes of action.
