RealGM

https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/advanced/?sort=NET_RATING&dir=1&CF=MIN*G*80&Season=2020-21&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

The best lineup in the entire NBA (minimum 80 minutes played) is:
PG: Morris
SG: Murray
SF: Barton
PF: Porter
C: Jokic

Thats why don't bring back Millsap to starting five, plus reduce his minutes all together when he gets back, but Malone wont do any of that, unfortunately.

This lineup was only used lately despite looks so logical and natural and was dominant over all other Nuggets lineups because of:

- Jokic, Murray, and Porter playing together, which was not that often when Porter coming from the bench with restricted minutes.
- Jamal Murray lately finally started to play on the all-star level, just like he showed in playoff-bubble he is capable of.
- Playing around three better playmaking teammates (Jokic, Murray, Morris) Barton is forced to play in 3&D mode with a small usage rate, which is actually his most useful role as Nuggets starter.
- Monte Morris good ball-handling is helpful for Murray and Jokic to be more focused on scoring
- When all 5 players in the rotation are good/efficient 3pt% shooters, and almost all are good passers too, that is a nightmare to defend for all type of the opponents
- Jokic, Porter, and Murray's defense is very underrated because their offense is much better and their defensive weakness is too obvious.
- When Jokic and Porter playing together Nuggets rebounding is on the highest level


All this said in favor of this lineup still doesn't mean it should be starting or finishing roster against every opponent. With Murray continues playing like an all-star and Porter join Jokic and Murray to create BIG3 we can create more super-rotations when Harris and Green are back. Even with Jokic playing like MVP, Murray like all-star, and Porter without playing time restrictions we have lately big problems vs teams which dominant scorer is a guard even lottery teams (Beal-Wizards beat us twice lately, Young's-Hawks beat us too, and LaVine-Bulls almost beat us). Against such teams, Gary Harris should start and play full playing time once he is back. And against teams with 3 tall starters (Lakers, Sixers, Mavs, Pacers...) we should start Green (or Millsap) instead of Barton (Porter back to SF).

BTW last season's lineup Murray-Beasley-Grant-Porter-Jokic was potentially the best rotation in franchise history, but Malone used them together just 2 minutes overall, so no chance for FO to realize how good it is!

I really want to see

Murray
Dozier
Porter
Nnaji
Jokic



It’s understandable why Monte Morris in the starting group helps now. Monte doesn’t turn the ball over. His “doesn’t turn it over” is one of the most under rated/unknown nba talents.

I still want him being the backup pg if they can find a big guard to play with Murray more. But for now and until they can trade Harris Nd Barton it looks like Monte Morris starts... I like dozier A LOT.

Joker: Maybe against Wizards. Bulls? We held Lavine 5.5 pts and 7%fg under his averages. He was stopped pretty nicely.

Yeah Trae is kicking our asses since his second year in NBA. Last three games 35.3 pts 12.6as shooting 64% from three on 16/25. Twice it was with Garry in line up and he was combined 22% FG 6-27, 12.5% 2-16 from threes. Advanced stats even better. Ortg 42 and 81, Drtg 125 and 126, BPM -18.4 and -10. So I don't see this as great example of Garry being needed.

What is surprising is the effect of Morris. It doesn't necessarily show up in the statistics but he has great ball skills, good shooter and moves the ball around much better than Harris. Morris has also improved defensively even though I don't think he is as good a defensive player as Harris. Fact is the starting unit benefits from his crisp ball movement and great handles, more so than Harris. It also moves Murray to the 2 guard.

I am sure he will return to the bench when Harris returns but I would hope Malone would consider giving him extended minutes at point guard with Murray at shooting guard.