The Nuggets dropped below .500 again after Monday’s loss in Chicago where Denver’s second unit had one of its worst performances of the season. DNVR Nuggets discusses who should be included in Denver’s second unit and if they’re concerned about the toll this season is taking on Nikola Jokic.
Is it time to pull the plug on JaMychal Green?
Adam: It’s time to give someone else a shot. JaMychal is no different than anyone else outside of the top 7 players on the roster and shouldn’t be afforded 20+ games of poor play to round into shape. He is shooting career lows across the board, making rookie mistakes far too regularly, and not contributing enough on the defensive end to warrant a longer leash. Zeke Nnaji and Vlatko Cancar deserve an opportunity in his spot.
Harrison: For now, yes. But that’s not putting a nail in Green’s coffin. He’ll get another shot eventually, and his toughness and the edge he plays with still holds value on this team. But he’s been really bad for 23 games now. I mean, he was a -22 in 11 minutes last night. Green’s shooting 19.6% from 3, is still attempting 2+ 3-pointers per game and has been a bottom-10 shooter percentage-wise in the NBA this season. He hasn’t been particularly good defensively either. See what the second unit looks like with Vlatko Cancar playing those minutes for a few games and then reevaluate. Maybe a week off will give Green an opportunity to reset.
Brendan: We’ve crossed the threshold from whatever benefit of the doubt coaches owe their veterans to untenable. Nnaji’s outplayed Green and is probably above him on the depth chart, but that’s not enough. Čančar deserves an opportunity, even if he’s ill-equipped to guard bigs. Whatever advantage Green holds on paper isn’t playing out on the court.
Is there a solution to Denver’s bench struggles?
Adam: I honestly think that the solution starts with a healthy Bones Hyland. He and Zeke Nnaji are the two constants for the Nuggets’ bench while Austin Rivers, Facu Campazzo, and Vlatko Cancar take turns filling in around them. Hopefully adding a secondary scorer in Bones will open things up for Will Barton who has not been able to make an impact on the second unit in the team’s two most recent road losses.
Harrison: There’s a playable bench lineup somewhere within Denver’s roster. It definitely contains Bones Hyland, who the Nuggets should get back in the lineup Wednesday in New Orleans, and Zeke Nnaji. The Nuggets are a +24 in 54 minutes with Hyland and Nnaji on the floor together this season. A staggered Will Barton is a part of that lineup too. If Austin Rivers/Facu Campazzo and Vlatko Cancar slide in next to those three, then I think you might have something.
Brendan: The Nuggets inched closer to something playable, with Nnaji entering the rotation and Hyland breaking out. Adding a backup center is a priority everyone can agree on, but the injuries are a significant factor in internal solutions. The Nuggets are spread thin. If Denver can keep Hyland and Nnaji in the rotation and avoid five-man bench lineups, they can keep their heads above water when Jokić sits — a modest but attainable goal. The lack of a center is a legitimate error in roster construction. As for the rest of the bench, I still think we’re overlooking the impact of the injuries and absences.
What’s your concern level around how much the Nuggets are relying on a great Nikola Jokic performance to win every game?
Adam: Pretty low in terms of burnout. I’m more concerned with the team appearing to be at a major “fun” deficit. 82 games is long. A 7-game road trip brings out a lot of underlying issues and one issue that appears to be popping up is that this season just doesn’t seem to be much fun right now.
Harrison: Moderately concerned, but it’s likely to stay this way for the foreseeable future and until Jamal Murray returns. The Nuggets need a great Nikola Jokic game to score over 100 points and get a win. Typically, he delivers. But on the rare night that he doesn’t, Denver’s back is against the wall. One of the few positives from this seven-game road trip is that the Nuggets get it out of the way in December. The rest of Denver’s schedule is home-heavy and the Nuggets’ role players can hopefully settle into better rhythms at Ball Arena. I’d be more concerned about the toll this season is taking on Jokic if he hadn’t already missed games due to injury/suspension.
Brendan: It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Denver relies on the MVP down two max contract players. It’s less about concern and more about reality. The Nuggets can still find a groove with available personnel, but they won’t be winning 18 straight anytime soon. Endurance is the name of the game.
What’s your prediction for Denver’s record over the final three games of this road trip (at Pelicans, at Spurs, at Spurs)?
Adam: 2-1. I’ll be optimistic and predict that the Nuggets win Wednesday in New Orleans and Saturday in San Antonio. The return of Bones should provide a shot in the arm to the bench.
Harrison: 1-2. The Nuggets should handle New Orleans fairly easily. But then Denver visits San Antonio on the second night of a back-to-back 24 hours later (for the sixth game of a seven-game road trip). San Antonio is a tough place to play. The Spurs are also playing much better now and have a top-10 defense.
Brendan: 2-1. Though that’s less about where the Nuggets are trending and more about who they’re playing. It’s hard to beat Jokić in consecutive games, and Denver should be able to take at least one in San Antonio. The Pelicans are playing better basketball of late, and every Nuggets fan is bracing for a debilitating loss, but I think Denver responds from prior humiliation in Chicago.
