The Denver Nuggets Have a Severe Passing Problem
Despite TOs, Mudiay Still Has a High Usage Percentage
Michael Malone has given Mudiay a long leash to start the year. Despite his poor production, Mudiay’s usage rate ranks ninth among starting point guards.
Take a look at the chart below, and you’ll see where Mudiay is ranking in a few other categories, as well, in relation to point guards who are in the Top 10 of usage. Hint: it’s not good!
Mudiay has been high on usage among PGs, but really, really low on production. Not a great sign for the #Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/Sy2nGKSKnq
— Steven Wright (@StevenKyle) November 15, 2016
A few takeaways from the chart:
- The other nine guys who are being used as much are either MVPs, All-Stars, or project to be All-Stars some day.
- The only two point guards on the list with more turnovers per game are Russell Westbrook and James Harden. I’m confident the Thunder and Rockets will take their production, though. Each of them is scoring nearly double what Mudiay is scoring, and both have more than tripled his assist production.
- Mudiay has both the lowest assist percentage and the highest turnover percentage.
To wrap this up and put a nice bow of perspective on his production, consider this. Mudiay is averaging 5.0 assists per 100 possessions. He’s tied for 127th in the league with Frank Kaminsky!
Perhaps Mudiay and the Nuggets could overcome this if he had some help. Several teams have capable big men who can direct the offense and pass from in and around the lane. Unfortunately, the Nuggets aren’t one of them.