Nikola Jokić – A-
The Cleveland Cavaliers present one of the best defensive challenges in the league for Nikola Jokić. Their size on the interior, between Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, makes it easier for them to clog the paint, much like the prior iteration of the Timberwolves. Jokić didn’t seem to mind in the first half when he dropped 17 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. But his production fell off a cliff in the second. He started missing bunnies, then jumpers—a potential sign of fatigue. The Nuggets have relied on Jokić to an enormous extent, perhaps unprecedented, thus far. He held the line against one of the best teams in the league, but the cavalry came too late and in too few numbers. The bench was woeful once again. And while several starters produced, it still felt as though something was missing.
Jamal Murray – D+
The Denver Nuggets need their second option. Michael Porter Jr. is slowly supplanting Murray in the role, and while that’s encouraging for Porter’s development, it’s not a good sign for the Nuggets. Murray is the point guard, and his electric chemistry with Jokić was the foundation for what made the Nuggets so much greater than the sum of their parts. It’s not just about Murray’s lack of scoring production or inefficiency; there’s so little life to his performances. He’s playing uninspired basketball and putting up little resistance to the mounting criticism. He’s a target on defense and a struggling role player on offense right now. It’s time for Murray to fight back if he has fight left to give.
Michael Porter Jr. – A-
Four turnovers marred an otherwise excellent performance from Porter. After a woeful team effort on defense in the first quarter, the Nuggets kicked it up a gear to close the half. They played some of their best defense of the season in that stretch, and Porter had his fingerprints all over it. He flew around, finishing with three steals and two blocks to compliment his efficient 24 points and 7 rebounds. He took a generally confident approach, attacking closeouts and relying on his floater to finish over the skyscrapers down low. Still, his typical unsureness raised its head in some crucial moments. His fourth turnover, a travel, which effectively killed any hopes of a comeback, was riddled with indecision.
Aaron Gordon – B+
Gordon’s return brought a sorely missed element of physicality back to the team. He scored 12 points in the first half, each of his buckets coming in the paint. He outworked Cleveland in transition and attacked their mismatches, playing bully ball with Sam Merrill and Dean Wade. But AG’s played better games defensively. We’re still waiting to see his positive impact on that side of the ball as he returns from injury. And Denver needs all the help it can get on defense.
Christian Braun – C
Braun’s been so steady to start the season, but the wheels have looked wobbly in his last few performances. It appears as though his confidence is coming back down to earth. Indecision is creeping into his game, especially with his outside shot.
Russell Westbrook – C
Russ fired an electric pass to Jokić in the first half, inspiring a couple of ill-advised passes to Jokić. Ultimately, his fit alongside 15 isn’t a concern. It isn’t for anyone on the roster. But Westbrook could significantly impact the Nuggets by buoying their bench unit, and his successes have primarily come outside of that context. The non-Jokić minutes are still an abject disaster. That falls on everyone’s shoulders, from the head coach to the max contract players to the point guard of the second unit.
Peyton Watson – C–
Peyton’s able to contribute whenever he’s alongside Jokić. His defensive tenacity and versatility add up to a positive impact, and he can knock down open shots. But it’s the same story as everyone else in the non-Jokić minutes—his productivity sinks.
Julian Strawther – F
Julian Strawther has to play right now. There aren’t other options. Yet Strawther’s been virtually unplayable on defense and nowhere close to good enough on the other end to offset that impact. He scored two points in Cleveland.
Zeke Nnaji – F
Nnaji didn’t even log five minutes this time. He caught the hook almost immediately.
