Why would the Nuggets waste the best years of Nikola Jokic’s career on wishes and prayers that Michael Porter Jr. will grow up to be an all-star?
I want the Nuggets to achieve what many naysayers in this dusty old cowtown think is impossible.
If Malone wants Denver to play the shutdown defense he feels is essential to be a serious championship contender, the coach needs to find a way to replace MPJ in the starting lineup with selfless and versatile Bruce Brown, whose addition to the team in the offseason was a savvy move by new general manager Calvin Booth.
Brown has developed instant synergy with Jokic, who rewards teammates who exploit open space with heavenly passes that are gifts from the basketball gods. That has allowed Brown, who can nail an open jumper from beyond the three-point arc, to fashion an effective shooting percentage during the early stages of this season that rivals the marksmanship of Steph Curry.
Porter tries on defense. He stayed late after shootaround Saturday morning and studied video of how the Spurs would try to attack him. When MPJ dives on the floor for a loose ball, appreciative teammates on the bench get up and shake booty like Lizzo. According to Pro Basketball Reference, MPJ’s current defensive rating, which estimates he allows 115 points per 100 possessions, is the worst of any four seasons in his NBA career. But on this Denver team, which doesn’t guard anybody on the road, bad is good, as Porter’s defensive ranking trails only Jokic, who is nobody’s idea of a rim-protector.
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