Denver Nuggets Mid-Term Grades: Darrell Arthur
Dec 10, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the game against the Miami Heat at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
As we approach the midway point of the 2014-15 NBA season, it’s the perfect time to evaluate the performance of each player to date. This week, Nugg Love editor S.E. Shepherd will be handing out mid-term grades for each player currently on the Nuggets’ active roster. Next up: Darrell Arthur.
B-. On a team that prides itself on having one of the deepest benches in the league, Darrell Arthur regularly provides quality minutes as part of Denver’s rotation. Arthur’s per game averages have improved over last season in nearly every category, and if the front office starts moving pieces in an effort to build for the future, he may have an opportunity to see increased minutes and showcase his talents in the second half of the season.. F. Denver Nuggets. DARRELL ARTHUR
Player: Darrell Arthur
Key Stats: Arthur is averaging 7.4 points, 1.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 turnovers per game. He is shooting 41.9% from the floor, and 26.6% from three-point territory. He plays 17.8 minutes per game in a backup role, his highest per game average since his 2010-11 season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Best Game: Arthur’s biggest output this season came versus the Houston Rockets on December 13. He scored 20 points on 7 of 14 shooting (including 4 of 9 from three-point distance) and snagged 6 rebounds in a game the Nuggets lost by 12 points.
Worst Game: Arthur’s low point this season came on December 7 in a game against the Atlanta Hawks that the Nuggets lost by 12. He scored 6 points on a woeful 3 of 11 shooting performance and only managed 2 rebounds despite playing the third highest minute total of his season (just over 26 minutes).
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Bottom Line: Darrell Arthur gives you exactly what you expect out of him, and that’s why it’s hard to get down on the guy even though he may go several games without making major contributions. Arthur gives the Nuggets decent, double-digit minutes off the bench. He’s an athletic big man with a solid mid-range shot and is just enough of a threat from deep that teams have to play him close at the three-point line. He can get out on the break and play the up-tempo pace the Nuggets still occasionally appear to want to play, but he also fits in Brian Shaw’s half-court sets, especially when his jumper is falling.
On a team full of players who could justifiably be labeled “role players,” Arthur seems to actually embrace his role as a guy who can come off the bench and give the starters a breather without risking huge drop-offs in production. As I’ve discussed in several of these mid-term grade write-ups, there is a very real chance the front office will decide to pull the plug on this roster sooner rather than later. If and when that happens, Arthur could be one of the players left to finish out the season for the Nuggets and he could capitalize on the opportunity to showcase his game before he enters free agency this summer. There will always be a market for 6′ 9″ forwards who can run and splash mid-range jumpers, and if Darrell Arthur has a chance to show teams what he can do while playing more minutes, I wouldn’t be surprised to see several teams pursue his services in the offseason, including the Nuggets.