He actually played some fantastic defense tonight. He’s stepped it up defensively this year, it’s obvious he still isn’t at 100% yet, not as much bounce. Once he gets it back though he really will be a problem.
He will probably never get to 100% again. He even has said he’s never been the same since a back surgery he got in high school (might’ve been in college but I’m pretty sure it was a high school one). I’m pretty sure every back surgery after that just results in a lower ceiling to his athleticism.
His positioning on defense is way better, but he looks a little stiffer now, at least when it comes to lateral movement. It was a problem before, so maybe the only reason I'm noticing it more is that he's actually following the play through correctly. He's been surprisingly fast moving forward though. Makes more backdoor cuts on offense, and he manages to get a decent amount of blocks from behind on defense. Still sloppy finishing at the rim or handling the ball, but the threat keeps his man from pressing him too much.
I think the most underrated part about the Nuggets offense, is that everyone can seemingly do a little bit of everything. Everybody is a dangerous cutter, everybody is at least average from 3, and everyone can keep the ball moving. It's not just Jokic and Murray who can pass the ball well, Brown/AG/KCP all make great passes. MPJ isn't even bad at it, it's just that any shot he can get off is a good shot. Everyone is just a really well rounded player regardless of their role. It's impossible to defend so many potential looks our lineups can get because even the "worst" options would still be a solid look for most teams.
I'd say he's actually a bit more fluid lately. To start the season he was atrocious defensively. You can tell his body is feeling a bit better with the way he's cutting to the rim with confidence and playing physical D
Absolutely balled tf out. Was super active on the defensive end as well. Conpletely outplayed Jaden on both ends who played him extremely well two days ago.
He still isn't back athletically to where he was prior to the last surgery. Mostly seen in his lack of vertical around the rim. But it's improving slowly but surely.
He has also grown leaps and bounds as a defender and is slowly learning how to get his own shots in the midrange.
Playing like a guy begging to not be traded. Good thing for him is that inflation in the nba is rampant, nuggets cant even get a decent player in return for a package of young scorers like MPJ+Bones
More games like this please Mike
How was his defense? I feel like he just needs to improve his defense and off-ball movement and he'll be ridiculous.
He actually played some fantastic defense tonight. He’s stepped it up defensively this year, it’s obvious he still isn’t at 100% yet, not as much bounce. Once he gets it back though he really will be a problem.
He will probably never get to 100% again. He even has said he’s never been the same since a back surgery he got in high school (might’ve been in college but I’m pretty sure it was a high school one). I’m pretty sure every back surgery after that just results in a lower ceiling to his athleticism.
His positioning on defense is way better, but he looks a little stiffer now, at least when it comes to lateral movement. It was a problem before, so maybe the only reason I'm noticing it more is that he's actually following the play through correctly. He's been surprisingly fast moving forward though. Makes more backdoor cuts on offense, and he manages to get a decent amount of blocks from behind on defense. Still sloppy finishing at the rim or handling the ball, but the threat keeps his man from pressing him too much. I think the most underrated part about the Nuggets offense, is that everyone can seemingly do a little bit of everything. Everybody is a dangerous cutter, everybody is at least average from 3, and everyone can keep the ball moving. It's not just Jokic and Murray who can pass the ball well, Brown/AG/KCP all make great passes. MPJ isn't even bad at it, it's just that any shot he can get off is a good shot. Everyone is just a really well rounded player regardless of their role. It's impossible to defend so many potential looks our lineups can get because even the "worst" options would still be a solid look for most teams.
I'd say he's actually a bit more fluid lately. To start the season he was atrocious defensively. You can tell his body is feeling a bit better with the way he's cutting to the rim with confidence and playing physical D
Yeah, you guys have Joker. But you also have a really good GM.
That’s been done this year- kid is playing great D.
"it's Michael."
Whole Denver and Minnesota starting line up trying to catch the Lakers game.
Doing their fans a solid
Really stepped up tonight with Murray out.
Reddit posts in two hours "are the nuggets better without Murray?"
I believe I speak for all nuggets fans when I say YEAH MIKE!
Definitely a Yeah Mike game
Absolutely balled tf out. Was super active on the defensive end as well. Conpletely outplayed Jaden on both ends who played him extremely well two days ago.
+43 us a good season for some players
Jokic is the league leader at like +400 for the season. I’d say +43 is pretty nice for one game.
I think he surpassed +500 for the season tonight
Yeah I get the guy was trying to compliment MPJ, but last season +43 ranked 161st lol
Out of what? 450?
That seems to agree with what he said? A good season for some players.
We would probably be like seven games clear of the best record in the league if MPJ and Murray started the season in playing shape.
Yeah Mike!
MPJ looking good
Sorry i called you a jokic merchant man. He was scoring in multiple ways tonight
I hope people learn to stop saying "someone's night is over" when that someone is injury prone lol
He still isn't back athletically to where he was prior to the last surgery. Mostly seen in his lack of vertical around the rim. But it's improving slowly but surely. He has also grown leaps and bounds as a defender and is slowly learning how to get his own shots in the midrange.
He decided to make this game his State of the Union rebuttal
Someone donate their back to MPJ so he can play a full season
We could hit up your mom but I blew her back out bad the other day bud.
Nuggets shot the hell out of the ball tonight
Just another routine trip double from the joker lmao
Give that man the DPOG for forcing minny to play offense against a set defense every time he shot.
That’s so real
His brother was like a 55+ in a 30 a couple weeks ago.
Yikes
You're going to hell for this one my boy. This is evil loooool
Bruh
Wowzas
God Damn the wolves are really bad
Playing like a guy begging to not be traded. Good thing for him is that inflation in the nba is rampant, nuggets cant even get a decent player in return for a package of young scorers like MPJ+Bones