The Denver Nuggets didn't need a first-round draft pick to hit the lottery this year. Their two rookie second-round picks, Bryce Hopkins and Trevon Brazile, aren't just getting fill-in minutes. They're making an impact with the floor time they've been given. Something the Nuggets have long needed out of their draft picks, let alone getting that production from a pair of second-rounders.
Props to the scouting department and co-GM's Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace for finding the dynamic rookie duo. Brazile's been getting all the fanfare with his incredible athleticism and hot start to the season. The Nuggets traded down in the draft from the 26th to the 35th pick while picking up a pair of future second-round draft picks and struck gold with Brazile.
Brazile's averaging 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench through seven games. A fantastic start for the 6-foot-10 forward, who took advantage of an injury to Spencer Jones to put his stamp on a rotation spot, even when Jones does return.
Brazile's defense has been incredible, and he's ranked near the top of the league in defending shots. He's an excellent rebounder. And as we saw in the Nuggets' 128-109 win over the Toronto Raptors, no lob looks too high for him to bring down for a dunk.
But Brazile's 6 points and 7 boards plus two stocks were upstaged by his second-round counterpart.
Bryce Hopkins had a great game filling in for DeMar DeRozan
Hopkins got the nod as the first wing off the bench after DeMar DeRozan was a late scratch with back spasms. And he played even better than DeRozan has this year.
Hopkins may have actually been the star of the game, even as Nikola Jokic put the slow start to the season behind him by recording a triple-double in just three quarters. Hopkins was the Nuggets' second-leading scorer, finishing the game with 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting, including knocking down his only three-point attempt.
Hopkins was attacking the paint, and all five of his makes from two were at the rim. Hopkins loves to get going downhill, and he never shy's away from contact. He almost seems to seek it out like an old-school NFL running back. And Hopkins' aggressive drives were rewarded by getting fouled, finishing with eight free-throw attempts to lead the team. He only knocked down five, but it didn't hurt the Nuggets' bottom line.
Hopkins was active on the boards, too, grabbing 4 rebounds, and he showed good defense with his 2 steals. He, along with Brazile, brings energy and hustle, and they've both shown that they know how to play their roles.
The Nuggets hit the jackpot once in the second round with Nikola Jokic. They've hit the lottery again this year with Brazile and Hopkins.
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