The Denver Nuggets Are One Win Away

The best team in the league is one win away from writing their names in the history books

Nikola Jokić – A–

Jokić turned in another outstanding performance on defense. Long misunderstood as a liability; he’s showcasing improvement and the utility he always provided on that side of the ball. He’s as intelligent as any player on the floor, his hands are lightning-quick, and he’s a glass-eating behemoth. A robust defensive profile comprises steals, deflections, and defensive rebounding. He’s indeed below average as a rim protector. But that’s not an essential facet of a center’s game. That notion betrays an antiquated perception of the position. As always, Jokić is pushing our understanding of the game forward.

I might have saved myself the time and digression for another day. Jokić did finish with three blocks in Game Four — not bad for a below-average rim protector. He finished with three steals as well. None of this would be possible without Jokić’s most significant growth as an athlete. He’s now in exceptional shape. This is the time of year when big men wear down. Jokić, boasting a tremendous work rate, looks ready to do it all for seven more games.

Jamal Murray – B+

Murray shot 5 of 17 from the floor in Game Four. We can close our eyes and remember what that would look like for a younger version of the athlete. Times have changed.

Murray is also showcasing his improvement in these Finals. Poor shotmaking doesn’t define his performances anymore. He notched 12 assists without turning the ball over in 42:39 on the floor. He’s seen almost every coverage imaginable now as teams try to mitigate the two-man game. His shotmaking is widely celebrated, but he’s learning to do more than burst through the other side of an obstacle. Murray’s blossoming into an elite floor general.

Jamal Murray is the first player with 10+ assists in his first 4 career Finals games.

No other player even has 3 straight. pic.twitter.com/eahcolSUrI

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 10, 2023

In classic Murray fashion, the shots he did hit were timely. His fourth-quarter bomb might have been the shot of the night. Murray never shies away from the moment. That’s what he’s spent his life training for.

Caught up with Jamal Murray's father, Roger, after Game 4: "We train for the moment because that's the moment we perform in," he told DNVR. "The regular thing is the regular thing, anybody can do it. But the moment is the moment, and that's what you put your work in for."

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 10, 2023

Aaron Gordon – A+

Gordon isn’t here for the credit. He’s here for the wins. He doesn’t have time for praise while so busy in the trenches. AG is a shapeshifter on defense, sizing up and down to assuage Denver’s matchup concerns. He takes whatever form is needed to fill the cracks between the starters and raise the floor of the starting unit. Those are his duties. He only gets a few chances to shine on offense in a Nuggets uniform. But those years in Orlando were not a waste. Despite his penchant for the less glorified aspects of basketball, Gordon can put the ball through the hoop. He’s no stranger to a big shot. He was unflinching in Game Four.

Gordon led all scorers with 27 points on a ridiculous 73% from the field. He shot 3 of 4 from deep, and the one miss was a desperate heave. The three makes were good before they left his hands. Mr. Nugget was locked in.

For most of the season, Michael Malone left AG as the backup five in his back pocket. Injuries forced his hand, and it’s clear now Denver’s Head Coach saw the obvious. It was the answer to the non-Jokić minutes. Once considered disastrous, they’ve survived that scenario multiple times on their path to a 3-1 lead in the Finals. That was the story Friday night, as a soft whistle gave Jokić his fifth personal foul. The others stepped up. None more so than Gordon.

Kentavioius Caldwell-Pope – B

Pope got back into his bag with one of the league’s best swipe downs. It’s nearly impossible to dislodge the ball that way without drawing a whistle in the modern NBA, yet KCP has a knack for it. He finished Game Four with three steals and two blocks. He was an absolute menace. Pope only took five shots in the game. All five were three-point attempts. He buried two, and that’s all Denver needs from him when defending well.

Michael Porter Jr. – C+

Michael Porter Jr. can’t buy a bucket right now. He went to the rim early and missed two floaters. He saw his jump shots spin in and out. To Porter’s credit, he stuck with it. His performance resembled Game One more than Two as he switched his approach. He attacked the rim and was more active off-ball. It’s encouraging, but it’s still a disappointing output relative to the expectations. Porter himself knows he has more to offer. He has yet to play a good series by any serious standard.

It’s unfortunate but not damning. Calvin Booth built a fail-safe into the roster. As Steve Kerr did with Gary Payton II over Jordan Poole, Malone is turning to Bruce Brown to seal the deal. That decision is paying off.

Bruce Brown – A+

Brown dominated off the bench. He dropped 21 points on 8 of 11 shooting, including 3 of 5 from deep. He closed with the starters and put a cherry on top of the win with a step-back three in the game’s final minutes. It drew a mixed reaction from Jokić.

Nikola Jokic on Bruce Brown: "When he took a step-back 3 I wanted to punch him, but when he made it I was so happy."

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 10, 2023

When Brown wasn’t shooting from a distance, he was attacking the rim with his trademark decisiveness. It’s an angry brand of basketball. Every drive looks as though he’s something to prove. In reality, he’s nothing left to prove in Denver and to potential suitors this offseason. Brown is a sixteen-win player with life-changing money on the way.

Jeff Green – D+

Green made a handful of loud mistakes on defense. He failed to secure a single rebound, even one that hit him in the chest. He only took one shot in his nearly 16 minutes on the floor. And it was a big one. With 6:21 remaining and a six-point lead, Murray drew help on the drive and kicked it to an open Green in front of the Heat bench. It never touched the rim.

Christian Braun – D

Braun recorded one steal and block, but the magic from Game Three dried up. Denver got crushed in the rookie’s minutes this time.