Denver Nuggets: Player grades coming off a big win vs. OKC

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 03: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets dunks against Andre Roberson #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 03: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets dunks against Andre Roberson #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots against Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots against Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

Nikola Jokic – A+

Its hard to give anyone anything less than an A+ when they pick up a triple-double (30 points, 10 assists, 12 rebounds) in a win and I will happily bestow that grade to the Joker. Nikola is the definition of dominance at the center position and throughout the game he got to the cup at will. He drew a plethora of fouls, going 10-11 at the free throw line and made the formidable Steven Adams look like little more than a speed bump.

The overtime period belonged to Jokic and he carried the team to the finish line like a true superstar.

Torrey Craig – C

Torrey Craig drew a hard assignment being Chris Paul’s shadow for the day. Craig was a solid defender, helping hold Paul to 23 points on 10-23 shooting from the field (43.5%) and wasn’t afraid to dig in versus the perennial All-star. However, he was generally ineffective on the offensive side of the ball.

Craig was far and away the lowest scoring player in the starting lineup with 6 points and just never could find a shooting rhythm (0-4 from 3-point range) but you always value his effort and intensity.