Nuggets: Player grades after ugly loss to Heat

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Commentators Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen talk prior to game between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 01, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Commentators Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen talk prior to game between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 01, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 01: Torrey Craig of the Denver Nuggets defends against Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 01, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 01: Torrey Craig of the Denver Nuggets defends against Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 01, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Torrey Craig – B-

Craig came out early and made his presence known playing good defense, sinking an early 3 ball and getting a put back basket on a Jokic miss. By the end of the game, he managed to get in double-figures with 10 points while playing with hustle and intensity when he hit the floor.

Despite a few hiccups on defensive assignments, he was solid overall. I bumped him from a B to a B- because, even though he isn’t a usual starter, Denver needed more from him on the offensive side of the ball to be able to keep pace with a hot shooting Miami.

Michael Porter Jr – D

MPJ had a chance to show he deserved starting minutes and he fell flat going 4 of 11 from the field (2-8 from 3-point range) and pulling down just 1 rebound. Porter has all of the talent in the world but he struggled in all aspects of the game today. He had a nice block on a Jimmy Butler drive in his first shift but that was just about where the excitement ended. He was unable to find a stroke and was a complete non-factor on the defensive side of the ball