The List: The new-look Denver Nuggets bench

1. The Denver Nuggets have ranked in the lower half of the NBA in terms of field goal attempts off of screens in each of the last five seasons. The team’s identity is to play through Nikola Jokic out of the post, elbow, and off of pick-and-rolls (PnRs) and dribble handoffs (DHOs) and with Jamal Murray as the primary shooter, he has been best used as a two-man game partner with Jokic than running off of screens.

The addition of Bryn Forbes may lead the Nuggets towards more plays like the one below where the possession begins with Forbes running off of multiple screens.

These types of actions can be a great way to bend the defense for an open three but they can also create advantages even if they do not immediately lead to an open shot for the player receiving the screens. There are opportunities for screeners to slip or duck-in for post-ups and opportunities to create favorable switches as defenders get hung up on screens. The Warriors have used Curry in ways similar to how the Nuggets use Murray in PnRs and DHOs but they also utilize him in ways similar to Forbes in the clip above.

Denver could probably look to add more actions like this for Forbes, Murray, and even Porter Jr. as a way to diversify their offense.

 

2. With the addition of Bryn Forbes and DeMarcus Cousins, the Denver Nuggets will likely spend the next couple of weeks searching for an identity with their second unit. On Sunday, that second unit featured some combination of Facu Campazzo, Forbes, Zeke Nnaji, and DeMarcus Cousins, a foursome that provides a true point guard, a true shooting guard, a stretch four, and a true center.

It’s a combination that makes more logical sense on paper than anything the Nuggets have tried out with their second unit so far this season but they should still expect to take some time to gain chemistry and establish roles. The return of Jeff Green and Bones Hyland may complicate that process even further.

The clip below provides a good example of how Forbes and Nnaji are both still learning the rhythm of this lineup and where they fit into it. Forbes finds himself alongside Monte Morris when Campazzo collapses the defense and starts searching for an open man. Nnaji dives towards Cousins (and his defenders) instead of sliding his feet to the corner.

2. Right now, Zeke Nnaji is elite at two skills: three-point shooting and perimeter defense. Plays like the one below, where Zeke attacks a defender off of a closeout and finishes at the rim are promising for the second year forward to add more to his game in a controlled, limited fashion.

3. Speaking of Zeke, perhaps the thing I like most about his game is his willingness and confidence to shoot under pressure. He doesn’t need a ton of space to get his shot off and he uses that to his advantage, often taking shots with a defenders hand up but not in his line of sight thanks to his height. It’s a trait that makes his gravity stronger and his spacing more valuable.

4. I can’t believe Michael Malone said that Jokic’s game is not sexy.

5. Aaron Gordon is a pretty good passer. Well above average for the forward position and he appears to be getting more comfortable making these types of reads at full speed. He’s averaging 3.2 assists per game in January, his highest mark since joining the Nuggets. He’s had at least 3 assists in each of his last 6 games including 9 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

6. The worst thing a cutter can do to Jokic is stop unexpectedly. Make deliberate cuts and trust Jokic to read whether or not to make the pass.

7. This play is a good example of Barton’s declining lateral speed on defense. Hope it is just a regular season management thing and not a this is who he is kind of thing.

8. Jokic’s bag of tricks is the size of Mt. Elbert.