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: Jerami Grant #9 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a shot against 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: Jerami Grant #9 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a shot against 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)

Jerami Grant – C

Maybe I’m being a bit harsh on Grant but he wasn’t as much of a factor as I hoped that he would be. Grant racked up 19 points in 26 minutes but he didn’t effect the game in any other facets. He had only 2 rebounds and 1 assist and when he had a chance to really impact the game, he failed to do so. I love Grant’s game but I just needed more in a game where Denver was shorthanded

Mason Plumlee – D

This is another example of a player who Denver needed to step up and he just failed to do so. Plumlee has the ability to push the Nuggets to another level of play, especially on the defensive end of the floor but he looked like he was resigned to a team loss as the Nuggets fell further behind. Maybe only Murray has the ability to galvanize the team to greater play than Plumdog but Mason just didn’t bring that today. The Nuggets will need more from him moving forward if they expect to win big games.