2019 calendar year is over, and despite it is arguably one of best years in Denver Nuggets franchise history, I will rate it A-.
For A or A+ we needed to win that game 7 vs Portland, and despite this half-season record 23-10 is great, I expected even better considering our very friendly schedule for these three months.
Talking about players in the current season, Jokic again has a slow start, but this time is not Malone to be blamed. The good news is that again at some point in December up his game on the next level. Murray's start of the season is promising, but for some reason instead of to rise in December his numbers fall for some reason. Let's hope it is just temporarily mini-slump. When both our max guys are in good shape (Jokic in MVP-contender level and Murray in all-star mode) Denver is almost unstoppable.
In starters triangle Harris-Barton-Millsap unexpectedly Barton has best numbers so far, with this November being his career-best month. Millsap skills at 35 are not close to what he is used to be just a few seasons ago, and he is limited on 25mpg, but somehow he improved radically his shooting efficiency (3p% and FT%) so he is on some way actually more useful than expected. Gary Harris slump in offense from previous season unfortunately continues, but he becomes league TOP5 (if not TOP3!) backcourt defender!
Feelings about our bench so far are mixed. Denver is one of the deepest teams in the league, but sometimes our bench underperforming badly. Plumlee would be starting center in at least 10 NBA teams, and his production is good and expected, as well as his limited playing time because of Jokic. Grant was a big disappointment before December. It is not just because new team, but such type of player needs to play with Jokic and Murray to get all benefits from his play without the ball which includes open 3pt shots and sneaky dunks. In December Grant TS% was impressive 63%, a team-best, but just 52% in October and November. Beasley didn't extend his contract, Malone reduced his playing time to just 15mpg, and he dropped his FG% from last season, but he is a good player, let's hope current problems will be solved. Morris was in a slump during a playoff, but he is back this season with his great efficiency (AST/TO ratio and 3p%).
Out of players which not playing enough (12mpg or less), I think Cancar and JV better to play in the G-League, our forward line is too stacked. Talking about G-League it is shocking to see Bol Bol already playing, so we definitely have another draft steal this summer, and we should be happy about PJ Dozier too. Craig overperformed in the playoff, his 3p% numbers in the postseason were just small-sample anomaly, so as a one-dimensional player (defensive specialist) and with Barton good (over)performing, his reduced playing time is expected and logical. While Craig bad FG% is not surprising, in Juancho case I'm very disappointed after his great summer with Spanish NT.
I will finish this 2019 report Michael Porter jr, but for sure not because least important thing there as his playing time suggesting. In his case even such a small playing time sample is enough for a bold conclusion: MPJ is healthy, and MPJ is a real deal!