How The Nuggets Are SURIVING Without Nikola Jokic
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How are the Nuggets performing without Nikola Jokic?
Nikola Jokic has been injured for a little bit now, and the Nuggets are surviving, though.
They're 3-2 without him, just finished the seven-game road trip. We were preparing for the worst. There have been some bad moments, but I mean, three and two and five games without Jokic is three and two and five games. They've been okay. They've survived. In your opinion, what's the biggest reason why that's happened?
Yeah, well, first of all, you take three and two every time. Really, all things considered. And you almost are looking back to that Cleveland game thinking they should have gotten four. That's a good point. They should be four and one. Probably should be four and one. I think there are two first layers to this. And the first is, you know, Jamal Murray has shown this season that he's a true second star alongside Jokic. Yep. He's actually shown that he's a star right now, even without Jokic. I think no matter what, as long as one of those two guys are out there, the Nuggets have a star on the floor. And when you have a star on the floor, you have a chance. The second layer to me, brother, is the ascension of Peyton Watson.
Mm-hmm. P. Watt, he's been kind of a revelation. Five straight games of 20-plus points coming without Jokic. He's shooting the ball from three. He's leveling up on offense. And he's doing this all without the best offensive player of all time. You know, the guy who gets him so many of those easy buckets. So I agree. P. Watt, he's been a huge reason why. And you can count on him at this moment. That has never been the case, and that's a big reason why his offensive game has taken a leap. You know, in the past, he's had moments. Looking back to last season, he'd have games here or there. Maybe he's shooting the ball well one game. Maybe, you know, he's just finding he's the offense in another. 20 points in five straight games without Jokic is real.
He's getting good shots. He just is so settled as an offensive player. The game has really slowed down for him. I agree it's a huge reason why. Another huge reason why is how Jamal Murray has been playing this season, but also how his game has changed with Yoke out of the lineup. Obviously, no Yoke itch. Your mindset changes as a defense. Now you go, okay, who's the guy we have to stop? Who's number one on our scouting report? Now it's Jamal Murray. He's getting double teamed, triple teamed, trapped all over the court, getting full court press for most of the game in some of these matchups. But he's altered his mindset in a brilliant way because now he's become mini-Yoke in a way. He's become the facilitator.
Sets a career high in assists against the 76ers. Comes back the next night against Boston, sets a new career high in assists. Since Nikola Jokic went out of the lineup, Jamal Murray is leading the NBA in assists at 11.5 a game. That's crazy. He has been taking what the defense gives him. finding open guys, setting others up, but also still scoring in a similar way to how he has this year where he's looked like an all-star.
Right, and his efficiency's dipped a bit, but that's the spot he's in.
What impact has Jamal Murray had during Jokic's absence?
He has to stay aggressive enough to keep defenses honest, but then he also has to read what they're giving him and trust his teammates, and he's done that. And behind that, Peyton Watson being a willing second option. There are a couple of other names, though, Harrison. Two names in particular that I think are a huge factor here. in these last five, Jalen Pickett and Zeke Najee, who have come in, and obviously the Philly game is the biggest example where they were without all their guys, and those two stepped up. Even in that Boston game as well, Zeke Najee was tremendous defensively, tremendous. This has been a wild development, man.
It's remarkable, brother. We thought he was done. I mean, and look, you're really never done in the NBA, especially when you're on that type of contract, because you're going to be on a roster. And if the two starting centers in front of you go out, you're going to have to play. But nobody saw this coming.
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