Will MPJ ever return to this?

[Cubbies2120]

Sitting here watching MPJ highlights and remembered to look up his high school and early NBA highlights and the amount of 'wiggle' in his game compared to now was night-and-day. Obviously, he developed foot drop the following season and he's been a far less 'movement' oriented scorer and pretty much relies on either backdoor cuts or shooting jumpers. If he had continued to progress from his sophomore year (19 PPG on 13 FGA, 54 FG%) would the Nuggets have had a bonafide #2 in MPJ instead of relying on Murray to be that guy?

Watch on YouTube

[skywalker33]

I've always been one who believes MPJ has the talent to become a #1 scorer, but he's bought into the hierarchy of this system. Murray has shown he can be the turbocharger when he's healthy, really none better, especially given the chemistry he has with Joker. Also, MPJ HAS shown he can step up into the #2 scoring role but also has shown he can disappear or defer to other talent. I have always felt MPJ doesn't exude the consistency/confidence to displace Murray, but more consistency would make him the threat he has been meant to become

[Cubbies2120]

I've always been one who believes MPJ has the talent to become a #1 scorer, but he's bought into the hierarchy of this system. Murray has shown he can be the turbocharger when he's healthy, really none better, especially given the chemistry he has with Joker. Also, MPJ HAS shown he can step up into the #2 scoring role but also has shown he can disappear or defer to other talent. I have always felt MPJ doesn't exude the consistency/confidence to displace Murray, but more consistency would make him the threat he has been meant to become

Yes, but do you think he's ever going to recover the dribble-drive skills he showed prior to drop foot? It'd be almost a bit disappointing if he remains a jump shooter 90% of the time relying on looks created for him by Jokic/Murray.

[THE J0KER]

MPJ is playing right now his arguably best playoff ever, and behind the 19-7 numbers are TS%67% (47%3p%). In his sophomore year, Murray was out of playoffs so players like Campazzo and Rivers are starters, but MPJ has better numbers now playing for champions than back then (17-6 TS%60%) when we were routinely 4-0 swept in round 2 by the Suns.

[skywalker33]

I've always been one who believes MPJ has the talent to become a #1 scorer, but he's bought into the hierarchy of this system. Murray has shown he can be the turbocharger when he's healthy, really none better, especially given the chemistry he has with Joker. Also, MPJ HAS shown he can step up into the #2 scoring role but also has shown he can disappear or defer to other talent. I have always felt MPJ doesn't exude the consistency/confidence to displace Murray, but more consistency would make him the threat he has been meant to become

Yes, but do you think he's ever going to recover the dribble-drive skills he showed prior to drop foot? It'd be almost a bit disappointing if he remains a jump shooter 90% of the time relying on looks created for him by Jokic/Murray.

I agree he needs to put that 6'10" 220lb frame to work inside the paint, take advantage of the size mismatches would make him more dangerous, just not sure that is his wheel house. Still, isn't the paint where AG50 lives ?

[BelgradeNugget]

Sitting here watching MPJ highlights and remembered to look up his high school and early NBA highlights and the amount of 'wiggle' in his game compared to now was night-and-day. Obviously, he developed foot drop the following season and he's been a far less 'movement' oriented scorer and pretty much relies on either backdoor cuts or shooting jumpers. If he had continued to progress from his sophomore year (19 PPG on 13 FGA, 54 FG%) would the Nuggets have had a bonafide #2 in MPJ instead of relying on Murray to be that guy?

Watch on YouTube

He already had foot brace in this highligts, foot drop was from his second procedure before his rookie season

[skywalker33]

Mike taking a LOT of heat from his poor performance vs MINN, but he really had a ton of family issues going on. Is that distraction the reason for his lack of performance? Surely could’ve been part of it but how he reacts to that stress says a lot about him. Does he/ can he bounce back next season ? Does he get traded ?

[Lala870]

Mike taking a LOT of heat from his poor performance vs MINN, but he really had a ton of family issues going on. Is that distraction the reason for his lack of performance? Surely could’ve been part of it but how he reacts to that stress says a lot about him. Does he/ can he bounce back next season ? Does he get traded ?

35 million a year to shoot a ball through a hoop.

This man has no excuses to turn into a G league player in the post season. His contract may be one of the worst in the NBA.

plays like ass in the post season and still has the balls to drop new episodes for his podcast. If he was really sorry for his play he would donate his salary back into the city of denver

[skywalker33]

Mike taking a LOT of heat from his poor performance vs MINN, but he really had a ton of family issues going on. Is that distraction the reason for his lack of performance? Surely could’ve been part of it but how he reacts to that stress says a lot about him. Does he/ can he bounce back next season ? Does he get traded ?

35 million a year to shoot a ball through a hoop.

This man has no excuses to turn into a G league player in the post season. His contract may be one of the worst in the NBA.

plays like ass in the post season and still has the balls to drop new episodes for his podcast. If he was really sorry for his play he would donate his salary back into the city of denver

Sounds like someone's GF got plucked by MPJ....just go away mad, stop being a little troll. Not one bit of worthy info from you

[TunaFish]

Mike taking a LOT of heat from his poor performance vs MINN, but he really had a ton of family issues going on. Is that distraction the reason for his lack of performance? Surely could’ve been part of it but how he reacts to that stress says a lot about him. Does he/ can he bounce back next season ? Does he get traded ?

35 million a year to shoot a ball through a hoop.

This man has no excuses to turn into a G league player in the post season. His contract may be one of the worst in the NBA.

plays like ass in the post season and still has the balls to drop new episodes for his podcast. If he was really sorry for his play he would donate his salary back into the city of denver

Sounds like someone's GF got plucked by MPJ....just go away mad, stop being a little troll. Not one bit of worthy info from you

His play was key during the LA Lakers' series. No question his shot was off late in the playoffs just as he was last year. Consistency seems to remain an issue with him but all good shooters go through slumps and the real question is how often can the Nuggets live with MPJ when he is in a slump. A good backup here might be the answer.

Forgotten in the previous thread/analysis is his all around good play both on defense and in rebounding. 6"10 forwards that can shoot are often hard to find and come at a price.

[skywalker33]

During the MINN series, there was a ton of personal issues that had to take it's toll on Michael: Jontay was caught gambling/ and fixing NBA games while his other brother had just been convicted of manslaughter and reckless driving. Hard to see anyone his age handling that kind of pressure w/o some inconsequential results. Hope he's getting some good theraphy to help him deal with it.

I could see him going either way but I prefer to believe he'll come back stronger next year. Wouldn't surprise me to see him finally averaging 22+ ppg and 10rpgs.