Nuggets: 3 surprising trends through the first quarter checkpoint

3. Bol Bol bound for the G League?

I can’t be the only one befuddled by the Bol Bol experience. One of the league’s true unicorns as a 7’2″ combo forward who can shoot well, pass well and alter shots around the rim, Bol’s hype train gained plenty of momentum in the offseason.

Not only were Grant and Plumlee gone but he had his Two-Way Contract converted to a standard deal, was said to have stunning improvements during the offseason and gave fans a reminder about his multi-faceted game during training camp. Yet, 19 games into the 2020-21 season and Bol has played a grand total of 55 minutes and taken 15 shots.

He’s currently averaging 1.6 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in 6.1 minutes per game and averaged just 4.5 points. 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 12.7 minutes per game in his two starts. Per 36 minutes, Bol is averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.

Frankly, Bol looked like a deer caught in the headlights at times. With there being little to no fan attendance in arenas, it seems likely that Bol was really caught overthinking, a potential byproduct of his desire to be in the rotation.

After all, Bol has already made it known that he has interest in winning Rookie of the Year.

That said, Bol seems bound for a NBA G League assignment in March when the 2020-21 G League season begins. He needs in-game reps that he’s unlikely to get with Porter, Green, Dozier, Will Barton and Paul Millsap ahead of him at the forward spots. Needless to say, he’ll be hard-pressed to get minutes behind Jokic, even if Isaiah Hartenstein hasn’t been playing well to start the season.

Last season, Bol averaged 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 19.3 minutes per game (9 games) while playing for the Windy City Bulls.

What trends have you noticed so far this season? Let us know on Twitter @Nugg_Love.