Will MPJ ever return to this?

Cubbies2120 · Post #1 » by **Cubbies2120** » Tue May 14, 2024 8:59 pm

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 · Post #2 » by **skywalker33** » Tue May 14, 2024 9:39 pm

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 · Post #3 » by **Cubbies2120** » Tue May 14, 2024 9:58 pm

skywalker33 wrote: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.

Post #4 » by **THE J0KER** » Tue May 14, 2024 10:07 pm

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 · Post #5 » by **skywalker33** » Tue May 14, 2024 10:15 pm

Cubbies2120 wrote:
skywalker33 wrote: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 · Post #6 » by **BelgradeNugget** » Mon May 20, 2024 10:54 am

Cubbies2120 wrote: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 · Post #7 » by **skywalker33** » Wed May 22, 2024 7:21 pm

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 · Post #8 » by **Lala870** » Sat Jun 1, 2024 4:18 am

skywalker33 wrote: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 · Post #9 » by **skywalker33** » Sat Jun 1, 2024 2:29 pm

Lala870 wrote:
skywalker33 wrote: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 · Post #10 » by **TunaFish** » Tue Jun 4, 2024 12:26 am

skywalker33 wrote:
Lala870 wrote:
skywalker33 wrote: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 · Post #11 » by **skywalker33** » Sun Jun 9, 2024 9:37 pm

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.

skywalker33 · Post #12 » by **skywalker33** » Sat Jul 20, 2024 9:38 pm

Is it just me or does it feel like MPJ will NEED to take another step forward now that KCP has signed elsewhere ? He's just coming into his prime and opportunity just knocked on his door. And not only will this help secure his contract status, it'll help him get beyond the misery of both his MIN playoff performance as well as the woes of his brothers tragic endeavors.

TunaFish · Post #13 » by **TunaFish** » Sat Jul 20, 2024 11:19 pm

skywalker33 wrote:Is it just me or does it feel like MPJ will NEED to take another step forward now that KCP has signed elsewhere ? He's just coming into his prime and opportunity just knocked on his door. And not only will this help secure his contract status, it'll help him get beyond the misery of both his MIN playoff performance as well as the woes of his brothers tragic endeavors.

I thought he was taking another step last season until he flamed out at the end. The reasons for that are unclear but it has happened before like in the previous finals. Defensively he continues to improve but he must become more consistent offensively as well.

I am not sure about KCP's future given the fact that he also flamed out at the end although that may have been injury related.

Braun and Strawther have to step up and probably will with the additional minutes now that KCP is gone. MPJ just needs to get back on track. He could easily average 20 points a game next season.

skywalker33 · Post #14 » by **skywalker33** » Tue Aug 20, 2024 2:57 pm

MPJ has always taken the 3rd option with Murray on the floor, maybe it's time for him to compete for that 2nd scorer spot ??

TunaFish · Post #15 » by **TunaFish** » Tue Aug 20, 2024 4:25 pm

skywalker33 wrote:MPJ has always taken the 3rd option with Murray on the floor, maybe it's time for him to compete for that 2nd scorer spot ??

He could but I don't think that is likely. His game is more perimeter oriented on offense and he defers to Murray or Jokic to run the play initially. Those two are and will be your primary scorers. However, it would be great to have all three above 20 points per game.

What MPJ lacks is inside movement, penetration or good basketball handles. Sometimes he does break this mold but rarely, though he is your primary long ball shooter after Murray and needs to provide spacing for the big two.

Braun is the polar opposite with a great move to the basketball on offense but a poor outside shot.

skywalker33 · Post #16 » by **skywalker33** » Tue Oct 1, 2024 2:32 am

Looks like MPJ has added a new look, adding 20lbs of of muscle to his 6'10" frame. Said he now weighs in at a cool 237lbs which should help him play a bit more PF and survive in the paint. Makes our starting frontline pretty imposing, was this perhaps a move to counter the Wolves (however previous) frontcourt designed to frustrate Joker ?? Good luck with that now....

TunaFish · Post #17 » by **TunaFish** » Tue Oct 1, 2024 11:37 am

skywalker33 wrote:Looks like MPJ has added a new look, adding 20lbs of of muscle to his 6'10" frame. Said he now weighs in at a cool 237lbs which should help him play a bit more PF and survive in the paint. Makes our starting frontline pretty imposing, was this perhaps a move to counter the Wolves (however previous) frontcourt designed to frustrate Joker ?? Good luck with that now....

Looks like the Wolves will have a new look with KAT traded to New York. Obviously, this new CBA 2nd apron is having an effect league wide.

MPJ will also be facing a hard reality when his contract nears the end. Hopefully he can elevate his game to match his potential.

DaFan334 · Post #18 » by **DaFan334** » Tue Oct 1, 2024 4:14 pm

TunaFish wrote:
skywalker33 wrote:Looks like MPJ has added a new look, adding 20lbs of of muscle to his 6'10" frame. Said he now weighs in at a cool 237lbs which should help him play a bit more PF and survive in the paint. Makes our starting frontline pretty imposing, was this perhaps a move to counter the Wolves (however previous) frontcourt designed to frustrate Joker ?? Good luck with that now....

Looks like the Wolves will have a new look with KAT traded to New York. Obviously, this new CBA 2nd apron is having an effect league wide.

MPJ will also be facing a hard reality when his contract nears the end. Hopefully he can elevate his game to match his potential.

Yeah, Tim Connelly's remarks make me feel like Calvin Booth was slightly ahead of the curve as far as proactively addressing the potential cap issue. We will see how his drafting works out.

As for MPJ, I just hope he didn't sacrifice any of his athleticism to bulk up. It would be nice to see him develop a post game. He could be deadly if he could bang around a little bit in the post and then hit a fallback jumper.

skywalker33 · Post #19 » by **skywalker33** » Tue Oct 1, 2024 9:19 pm

Well, now MPJ outweighs AG32. Don't know how this will impact the rotation but at the very least it can help cover if there are injuries. Now if PsWatt can get his shooting down, imagine that front court with DaRon backing up the Joker. Plus, Vlatko and Saric....that's a solid as a frontcourt as can be asked for.

TunaFish · Post #20 » by **TunaFish** » Wed Oct 2, 2024 12:50 am

skywalker33 wrote:Well, now MPJ outweighs AG32. Don't know how this will impact the rotation but at the very least it can help cover if there are injuries. Now if PsWatt can get his shooting down, imagine that front court with DaRon backing up the Joker. Plus, Vlatco and Saric....that's a solid as a frontcourt as can be asked for.

Might be awhile before we see DaRon, but the pieces look promising.

MPJ and Gordon basically swap defensive assignments leaving Gordon on the perimeter and MPJ guarding the power forward. Gaining some weight is likely going to improve MPJ's defense.