Three Hard Lessons Learned from Loss to Orlando Magic

Denver Nuggets: Who Should Take a Last-Second Shot? Somebody!

On a possession late in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets passed the ball around the perimeter like a hot potato. Nobody wanted the burden of shooting a last-second shot.

The ball finally ended up with Aaron Gordon in the corner as the shot clock ran out. With a man guarding him closely, Gordon heaved it up. Yet nothing about his body language before or during the shot suggested he would be the hero in his return to Orlando. The shot bricked off the rim badly.

This was one of the Nuggets’ closest games so far. Mostly, the Nuggets have either won or lost by wide margins.

This begs the question, though, who should be shooting in a last-second situation? Obviously, this is precisely where the Nuggs miss Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

When Bones returns, it’s likely he’ll be more than willing to step into the last-second shooter role. At 38.8 percent from three-point range, Barton is at the highest clip of his whole career.

Regardless of who is willing and able, Coach Michael Malone still needs to design a play to get an open look. The team looked totally unprepared for a last-second shot scenario last night.

Jokic hadn’t hit all night from 3-point range. And I question whether that should be his responsibility anyway. Should the MVP be called upon only when the Nuggets need two rather than 3. Plus, they will need a backup option if Jokic is doubled or tripled. Who would it be?

Hopefully, the Nuggets answer these questions before their game against the New York Knicks. I don’t see the Nuggets pulling away from a scrappy team in a Saturday matinee at MSG.