“Will Barton is playing at the highest level I’ve seen him play at.”

Michael Malone

Will Barton – A+

Without Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Nikola Jokić, Wednesday night’s game had Barton’s name written all over it. The Denver Nuggets needed someone to step up and take charge against the Indiana Pacers, and Thrill obliged from the jump. He scored ten points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out two assists in the first quarter alone. For good measure, he added 11 points in the fourth quarter. Start strong, finish strong.

Barton ran an efficiency clinic as he zeroed in from deep and built a home around the rim. Virtually all of his damage came from beyond the perimeter and when driving to his right.

Everything begins and ends with Jokić when it comes to the Nuggets, but Jokić wasn’t available, and it gave us a better perspective on Barton’s value to start the season. Ask yourself: Where would the Nuggets be right now without Thrill?

The Nuggets also held another opponent below 100 points with their new and improved defense. The rule changes help, as does Aaron Gordon, and a leap from Jokić on that end — but don’t overlook Barton’s contributions. He’s playing with a high motor and defending at a high level more often than not.

“We’re talking championship around here,” Barton said after the game. “We know we’ve got to defend at a high level to reach that goal.”

Aaron Gordon – C+

Gordon did not share in Barton’s success as a scorer, but he did commit to the glass and pulled down six offensive rebounds. He also took five free throw attempts, tying Bones Hyland for the team-high.

While Gordon doesn’t remind anyone of Paul Millsap on the court, Dad passed him a torch all the same — AG’s value can fall through the cracks of a box score, but it’s always there.

In this case, Gordon put his fingerprints on the win with the extremely rare jump ball highlight. Malone won a vital challenge with Denver up two and 41 seconds remaining. It was up to Gordon to earn possession.

Absolutely LOCKED in #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/XrEx8zS6X7

— RG 📷 (@RyanGreeneDNVR) November 11, 2021

Gordon’s a great role player, and that’s a high compliment.

Monte Morris – C+

Morris has a habit of knocking down big shots despite a contained role. It was a relatively quiet night for him outside of two loud threes, including one to beat the buzzer at the end of the first half.

In Monte We Trust.

Jeff Green – C+

It was Green’s potential block that led Malone to the challenge mentioned above. It was a big play from a player still looking for an endearing moment with his new team. The block was close, although anticlimactic after review.

JaMychal Green – C

Nothing Green did jumped off the screen, but interestingly, Malone awarded him the defensive player chain of the game thing. Dos Verdes gets a dub.

Zeke Nnaji – B+

Let’s pump the vibes back up with the kids off the bench. Friend of the show Zeke Nnaji turned in an excellent performance, scoring 19 points on only ten shots, including 2 of 3 from deep. He moved his feet well on defense and was a serviceable pick-and-roll/pop partner for Hyland. Nnaji looked far more comfortable in his NBA skin than his Vegas skin. In his defense, only psychopaths are comfortable in Vegas.

The performance could be more than a feel-good moment. With Vlatko Cancar still recovering and Michael Porter Jr.’s status up in the air, Nnaji played himself into a good spot. He’s the next man up for the time being, and potentially the best option for breaking up the Green(s) pairing down the line.

Bones Hyland – B

Hyland continues to impress with his vision, patience, and maturity on the court. He recorded four assists off the bench and forged a fun mind-meld with his Summer League companion Zeke.

Off the court, Bones remains both inspirational and aspirational. He compliments himself routinely, and it’s somehow endearing. In the latest episode of BONES, he called himself a fan favorite after the win. Despite a legion of fans in tow, he might be his own biggest supporter.

Bol Bol – DNP

Bol was the only available player who did not touch the court.