The young Denver Nuggets bench gives the team a spark against Pacers
Denver Nuggets scouting report vs Indiana: Will Barton
Will Barton is really growing into an offensive weapon, getting his shot to fall all around the court. He was the Nuggets primary scorer early in the game and always seemed to have the ball swung to him with little time on the shot clock.
He had a hot start early, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers for the first six points of the game and then got to the rim with ease throughout the rest of the first half.
Barton finished this game with 30 points, and the Nuggets needed every single one of them. He got buckets in both the clutch of the shot clock and the game. His quick scoring came in bunches when the Nuggets needed to fight back into the game, and went on multiple runs by himself including a 7-0 run late in the third quarter.
It's Thrill's world and we're all just living in it pic.twitter.com/RlVupkngX0
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 11, 2021
This season Barton is averaging a career-high in minutes (33), field goal percentages (47.8), 3-point percentage (39.7), and assists (4.5) He has clearly made another leap and the Nuggets have needed all of his output.
He is showing the work he has done on the defensive end as well. Barton was an animal on defense. He slid over to protect the rim, poking the ball loose at the rim and fighting on the glass. There were multiple plays where Barton tied up Myles Turner, poked the ball free and then forcing him into bad pass outs to his shooters and eventually turnovers. He even used his fouls well, stopping easy looks at the rim.
His perimeter defense has been very impressive, he clamped up the guards he was switched onto and made life hell for players as they went up for jumpers. He is playing the passing lanes well, getting steals and deflections. He is wreaking havoc on this end of the floor and is allowing the Nuggets to switch more matchups with their plethora of wing talent.
I am very impressed with his ball control this season, especially with his ability to change direction and get to his shot at all three levels. He is fearless when attacking the rim and can make the right pass outs to his shooters or cutting big men. He is running the pick and roll to perfection, making crisp pocket passes and setting up his bigs well.