Jokic - Nurkic

[NuggetsWY]

In talking about Nurkic's rather discouraging year, one media report compared his potential to his play this year, "But that was before Nikola Jokic emerged onto the scene as the NBA’s quiet superstar rookie. Jokic took the world by storm when he came in and immediately had an impact on the squad, leaving Nurkic in the rear view mirror."

Sure, Jokic has captured the hearts of many fans, but he's averaged barely 20 mpg and only very lately has played more than 24 mpg on a frequent basis. Obviously Malone has not jumped on the Jokic bandwagon and has left plenty of minutes for Nurkic. For whatever reason, Malone has chosen not to use Nurkic much. Of late however, he has started to given him more opportunity (until illness and/or injury issues crept in).

Personally, I like the idea of keeping both. They both tend to make at least one silly foul per game and big men, especially young ones, get called for plenty of fouls. Plus, the idea of them on the floor together is appealing although it may only work for perhaps 10 mpg.

Do you think the Nuggets will keep both players this off-season?
Trade one? Which one?

[skywalker33]

Looks like Jokic has hit his proverbial rookie wall, really hasn't been playing well the last few games. His minutes are being limited by Malone, could be due to bringing him along slowly, could be in part to Nurkic's return too. But I wouldn't trade either until I know what we have and how they fit within the Nuggets organization next year, withing the development of this team.

Nurkic has been in the doghouse because he's been out of shape and Malone has put his foot down on playing time until that changed.

[tstrick33]

If you trade either it's going to be part of a trade to bring in a Star i.e. Griffin. Otherwise, there is no reason to even explore trading either. Both are young and will only get better and smarter.

One thing I have noticed is that Nurkic has trimmed down a lot since being in the dog house. This offseason will be big for both of them to basically just live in the gym and with Steve Hess.

I also hope they send both of them to Hakeem. Javale didn't have the commitment to learn from him but I'm thinking Jokic and maybe Nurkic will.

[U hova]

Prince Olajuwon is the latest Nigerian scam

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/is-hakeem-olajuwons-post-up-play-training-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/

I mean obviously it doesn't hurt to get footwork sorted out relatively early in their development but the post game isn't the most glaring flaw of either Nurkic or Jokic

[Powder Blue]

As said above neither will be traded unless part of a package that nets a true all-star. No need to play either guy 30 min a night right now. Both being brought along correctly I believe.

[Dr_CharOh]

I wouldn't trade either of them but if I had to package one of them to get a star, I'd trade Nurkic and keep Jokic.

[NuggetsWY]

I wouldn't trade either of them but if I had to package one of them to get a star, I'd trade Nurkic and keep Jokic.

Totally agree but that leaves the Nuggets with no rim protector and no heavyweight for some of those really big guys. I guess that's why I'm a huge fan of keeping both.

[NuggetsWY]

Have you noticed how often they catch the ball down low on a pass or rebound and they keep it above their heads? They both do it a lot. I was watching some highlights from the San Antonio game and noticed that. Reminds me of how many times I've heard coaches and announcers complain about big men who bring the ball down to where the little guys can get at it.

[Tomecak]

Jokic, Nurkic, Lauvergne and Arthur should be our main rotation guys from next season forward. Those 4 cover all the ground you need in todays NBA. And let's pretend we keep Gallinari and Chandler, both of those guys can play either PF or C for short periods of the game.

Keep both, let them develop and search for ways to trade Faried. Faried from this point only can decline. He won't be any good on offense, maybe he can be a better defender in the next couple of years. But he won't make drastic improvements. He always will be the player he entered the league. And with that limited skillset, he is much better suited for contending teams at this moment.

Have you noticed how often they catch the ball down low on a pass or rebound and they keep it above their heads? They both do it a lot. I was watching some highlights from the San Antonio game and noticed that. Reminds me of how many times I've heard coaches and announcers complain about big men who bring the ball down to where the little guys can get at it.

Yep! You see that a lot of the traditional Centers in Europe. They don't have the athleticism to explode, but both Nurkic and Jokic have very soft hands. Nice touch around the rim. I mean, just look at Jokic' floater - a thing of beauty.

Can't wait to see them against Gobert and Favors tonight. That should be fun and is a very big game for us.

[NuggetsWY]

Can't wait to see them against Gobert and Favors tonight. That should be fun and is a very big game for us.

Nuggets just don't have any plays for big men because Malone didn't figure he had much there from the beginning of the season. Once again, the Nuggets fell in love with the three point shooting. Those two were enough to lose the game. But as with young teams, other mistakes also hurt. It's still been a good season.

[eathb_au]

Thought the line showed great potential. Terrible idea to have Nurkic start the game with 5 FGAs aginst Gobert though. Kind of messed him up for the remainder of the game. Nurkic abused Lyles at the 4 but probably thought he'd be going against Favors and forgot to defend Trey at the 3pt line. Also the other problem was that when we went to the bench it was a frontcourt of DA-Joffrey, which is a really terrible lineup. If using this lineup, one of them needs to play an entire quarter and essentially be the backup 5 as well.

[skywalker33]

Yeah, definitely needs tweeking, a work in progress!

[The Rebel]

It is going to take the offseason for Malone to design plays and Nurkic and Jokic to get used to playing together, but I like the way the lineup has looked. I personally think that next year they should go in starting one of Jokic or Nurkic with Faried bringing the athletic hustle at pf, and then use a 3 big rotation primarily. Keep one of Arthur or Joffrey trade Joffrey or if Arthur opts out let him walk, draft a young big, and maybe sign an old veteran big to be the 6th big.

[skywalker33]

I am hoping (praying) that Arthur opts out. Not saying I dislike DA, but I just see him taking minutes for a developmental big. Now I'd be ok for him staying if Faried goes, but DA can shoot us in or out of games, not what you want from a veteran. He's not a good enough shooter to be going 1-5 from 3pt range, he's not a stretch 4 IMO.

[The Rebel]

I would rather lose Arthur or Joffrey, Faried is athletic enough to cause problems for other teams when he is on the court with Jokic or Nurkic. Arthur does not make enough to make a difference as acquiring another 4th big will probably put him at a similar contract, and I like his defense although his offense is terrible outside of the occasional long 2 to spread the floor. I like Joffrey's hustle, and he is a hard worker, but I just do not like centers that struggle on defense as bad as he does so much of the time, and considering how often he gets used at center I would prefer he was traded as well.