P.J. Dozier is already the defender they’re looking for
PJ Dozier is be a ready-made solution for a Denver Nuggets squad with defensive concerns.
Denver Nuggets guard PJ Dozier, who went undrafted in 2017 after two seasons with the South Carolina Gamecocks, is a relatively unknown and unheralded player despite having been in the league for three seasons.
The cousin of late Boston Celtics star Reggie Lewis, Dozier spent the majority of his first two seasons in the NBA G League, where he played integral roles for the Oklahoma City Blue and Maine Red Claws while on Two-Way Contracts with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics.
Nonetheless, no one seemed to care that he signed with the Nuggets because he might not stay long.
Dozier may play a suffocating brand of defense but, in his first 15 games with Denver, he only averaged a modest 5.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.5 blocks in 14.8 minutes per game while shooting 41.0% from the field and 26.9% from three. Though a solid ball-handler and decision-maker, Dozier was underwhelming offensively and in a league driven by offense, his path to a rotation spot continued to be an arduous climb.
That all changed once he played in the bubble, as Dozier shot with a level of efficiency that he hadn’t shown up to that point. In the Nuggets’ seeding games, Dozier averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 22.3 minutes per game while shooting 43.9% from the field and 47.6% from three.
After his performance in early August and the defense he played in the 2020 NBA Playoffs against star players like LeBron James, one has to wonder whether he’s worth a look as a backup guard. While inconsistent offensively, Dozier’s defensive aptitude and intensity is reminiscent of former NBA guard Tony Allen.
In fact, if Dozier had started his career between 2000 and 2010 — where defensive specialists were more valued and inconsistent jumpers were glossed over — like Allen, he could have carved out a long and respectable career from the start.
Frankly, the Nuggets’ roster composition does make it appear as if they value offense at least a little more than defense. However, their defense does needs to be improved, particularly in the second unit backcourt.
Denver is likely to be relying on two undersized and inconsistent defenders in the backcourt next season in Facundo Campazzo and Monte Morris in a league that’s seeing a growing number of high-scoring second unit guards.
Meanwhile, not many players are like Dozier, an athletic guard who takes pride in his defense and demonstrates great awareness, anticipation, versatility, strength and agility. Dozier also possesses great size at 6’6″ and 205 pounds, great length with a 6’11” wingspan and is only 24-years-old, fitting right in with the Nuggets’ timeline.
Next. Greg Whittington signs Two-Way Contract with Nuggets. dark
One of the most progressive teams in the league, it may be time for Denver to add a throwback guard to the rotation.