Denver Nuggets: The good, the bad and the MVP on opening night
Michael Porter Jr. looks like he has improved again, his handle looks tighter and he looks to be attacking the rim harder than he was last year. He even operated as the ball handler in the pick-and-roll with Nikola Jokic.
He picked the defense apart with a double screen that he went into a pull-up jumper and then passed out to his rolling big man. He looked like he was moving well and looks like he has put in a ton of work in the off-season.
Michael also looks to have improved as a team defender. His ability to slide over and protect the rim or play the passing lanes has definitely gotten better.
Dozier was one of the players that impressed me the most on opening night for the Nuggets. He looks more and more comfortable within the flow of the offense.
I wish he would put the ball on the floor and attack the rim especially when matched up against smaller guards. He has such a massive frame he looks like he should be able to work any guard down low.
P.J. came alive late in the game and knocked down some big 3-pointers in the second half. His jump shot is quick and he always stays ready for a quick cross-court pass from Jokic. I love him coming in with the second unit and replacing Porter Jr., while not as skilled offensively, he mirrors him defensively with his length and his ability to catch-and-shoot.
Facundo Campazzo got back to his usual defensive pestering presence. He locked up Chris Paul multiple times by sliding his feet and beating him to the spot. He drew a charge and just made the Point God uncomfortable.
He seems to read the game just like Nikola Jokic and always seems to be in the right spots to catch a cross-court pass or cut behind his defender. Despite only playing one season together, there’s clearly an on-court connection between the two of them.
Jeff Green seems to be able to directly replace the production lost from losing Paul Milsap to the Brooklyn Nets. Green seems to be more fluid than Milsap and was able to attack the rim and defend young and skilled wings such as Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges.
The pairing of him and JaMyachal Green gives the Nuggets two highly skilled, versatile forwards and wings to throw out there with Jokic. Also if Aaron Gordon isn’t playing well on a certain night, the Nuggets have two skilled forwards who can replace him.
Another massive bright spot was seeing Will Barton fully healthy and hitting big clutch shots to push the lead out of reach for the Suns. His length, ability to catch and shoot and put the ball on the floor allows him to be the perfect two-guard to pair with Nikola Jokic.
Nah’Shon ‘Bones’ Hyland needs to be taking close notes, as he could end up becoming a similar offensive weapon for the Nuggets in the near future.