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Denver Nuggets: How each unit of the bench mob is keeping NBA Finals hopes alive

By Alex Murray

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: PJ Dozier #35 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 01, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: PJ Dozier #35 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 01, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets, PJ Dozier
Denver Nuggets, PJ Dozier (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Denver Nuggets Bench Mob: PJ Dozier, Denver’s Hidden Gem

PJ Dozier, like Campazzo, has been thrust into the starting lineup because of injury woes, specifically the loss of Will Barton. Dozier made the first two starts of his young career in the two contests since Barton went down, and the results have been very encouraging.

Our very own Dennis Smith wrote a piece about a month ago predicting Dozier as Denver’s underrated X-factor down the stretch, but surely even he couldn’t have predicted just how important the 24-year-old would turn out to be for the Denver Nuggets’ success as soon as 2021.

His ability to play at the 1, 2, or the 3 gives the Nuggets more versatility in their starting lineup, which Barton was not offering. While Dozier stands 6’6″ and 205 pounds, he actually has the skills of a point guard, as evidenced by his 3.3 dimes over the past five games while playing more minutes.

Playmaking is just one of many things that this jack of all trades brings to the table. He’s also an excellent cutter and mover without the basketball, which is an important skill to have when playing with a guy Nikola Jokic. Good cutting is also usually indicative of a high basketball IQ, which was on full display on the play below:

Dozier is still a bit streaky shooting the ball as evidenced by the fact that he put 23 points on 77 percent shooting from the field against the Rockets and followed that up with just nine points on 33 percent from the floor in his next game. Nonetheless, Dozier has shown offensive flashes, and his speed and athleticism will always allow for him to have success getting to the rim if the jimmy isn’t working for him.

Last but not least, Dozier is on his way to becoming a top-of-the-line defender. Not only can he be an elite wing defender, but he can put a ton of pressure on smaller guards at the 1 and 2 with his overbearing size and matching speed. Since joining the starters three games ago, Dozier has put up a 97.9 defensive rating, which ranks among the top 12 among guys playing 25+ minutes per game in the NBA over that span.

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