Beat writer Mike Singer opens up the Nuggets Mailbag periodically throughout the season. Pose a Nuggets — or NBA — related question here.
Allow me to play armchair quarterback/therapist and ask you your opinion of MPJ’s maturity. His behavior on the court — reactions to fouls, turnovers, etc. — and his comments in interviews seem to suggest to this 1983 Bachelor’s in Psychology degree holder an emotional fragility. Is MPJ emotionally ready to step up to the big time, or does he have more growing up to do?
— Steve VanderMeer, Fort Collins
My read of the Nuggets’ fanbase is that Porter is the most polarizing prospect since … ‘Melo? No one argues with his offensive gifts, the way he casually drops 30 points so effortlessly. It’s everything else, from his defense, to his persona, to his body language that gets picked apart.
I appreciate Porter’s confidence. It comes from being an elite prospect for years and from being a gym rat. His confidence isn’t unfounded. What I think is playing out publicly is that Porter has missed years of development owing to a lost college career and a year spent rehabbing his back on the Nuggets’ bench.
That manifests in lots of ways while under the NBA spotlight, having found success so quickly. He’s not used to being criticized like all professional players, and he’s also never had to deal with every action and statement of his being hyper analyzed. He’s still 22. There’s only so much he can control. But to begin, he needs to develop a shorter memory. Lots of plays happen in an NBA game. The quicker he learns to move on from mistakes, the better he and the Nuggets will be.
I know Denver isn’t a free-agent destination even with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. But it seems like we are becoming more of a destination for players whose agents think they need some additional development to flourish. If we continue to develop undrafted players or players who fall in the draft who make our roster or can be flipped in a trade, could this work as an alternative path to a title? Also, how long do you think we have before other small market teams figure this out?
— Tim Barton, Gunnison
Great observation, Tim. The Nuggets have built a reputation around the league as one of the best organizations at developing talent. It’s one of the reasons Isaiah Hartenstein chose to come to Denver. It was also a factor in two-way player Greg Whittington’s decision to come here. The success stories include Monte Morris, PJ Dozier and former Nugget Torrey Craig. I’m sure other organizations have their own niche they try to carve. Identifying an organization’s desired strength (e.g. player development) isn’t the hard part. It’s installing the coaches to facilitate that growth. Between assistants Wes Unseld Jr., David Adelman and Jordi Fernandez, the Nuggets could have as many as three future head coaches on Malone’s bench.
Denver’s record at identifying talent in the draft is absolutely a path to contention. Assuming Michael Porter Jr. continues his steady ascent, the Nuggets will have essentially drafted a so-called “Big Three.” Can any other organization currently say that? Other teams like Boston, Philadelphia, Portland and Utah can all boast a homegrown tandem. The Nuggets, though, have a steady core and have continued to add, build and develop around the margins.
What is it like on the days where there is a game, especially with COVID? I would like to see what goes on that we don’t see and not on the court.
— Owen McGeeney, Denver
We don’t hear about it all, but the NBA’s health and safety protocols mean that each player needs to be tested daily. Teams are often at the whim of those results and need to audible based on inconclusive or positive tests. Players and coaches who are generally regimented can’t be this year.
On the road, NBA life is a lot different. I haven’t traveled this season yet for obvious reasons, but teams are still subject to their test results. Shootarounds might need to be delayed and walkthroughs might need to be postponed.
Players also need to police themselves. If one player decides to go somewhere (outside of the NBA-approved road restaurants), that jeopardizes the whole operation. Players need to be conscious of where they go, who they hang out with and what types of risks they’re taking.
On the beginning-of-the-season rankings, some sports outlets had the Nuggets either third or even way down to the eighth spot. Yes, Jerami Grant is gone, but we still have the main core of guys. Where would you rank the Nuggets right now? I would actually have them ranked second behind the Lakers.
— Del, Lamar
Second! I’m just going to assume this question was submitted before the regular season started.
The Nuggets’ Swiss cheese defense ranks 29th in the NBA. Their bench unit is all over the place. Porter is expected to be out multiple games due to the league’s contact tracing protocols. They’ve already been outplayed, twice, by the Kings, and their schedule hasn’t been particularly tough.
That’s not to say they can’t fix these early shortcomings. It seems like a yearly occurrence, the Nuggets endure some semblance of turmoil only to pick themselves up. Right now, they’re not even in the playoff picture. But big-picture, I think they’ll probably end up the three or four seed. There are consequences to losing three of your top eight defenders in free agency.
1.Why does Coach Malone bring Facundo Campazzo if he’s gonna use him for spacing or doesn’t give him the ball on offense? That’s what he does better.
2. Will the team continue to be split in two? I saw in the preseason and last night that Malone had two structured teams with one or two little changes. But I think he must mix the players in a little bit.
— Federico Graff, Cordoba, Argentina
I understand Argentina’s concern with Facundo Campazzo’s early usage. I also think it’s maybe Michael Malone’s eighth or ninth concern at the moment. Behind a sinking defense, a rotating bench unit, injured players, integrating a third pillar into the offense, following COVID protocols and so on.
I agree, Campazzo is best suited on the ball. And in time, when the second unit gets sorted out, he’ll probably find his way into that role. Campazzo is four games into his NBA career. I love the passion and enthusiasm there is for him, but he’s got a lot to figure out about the NBA as well. There are times on offense when it seems he’s playing 200 MPH. There’s an adjustment period for his teammates as well.
I think once Jamal Murray gets into rhythm, Campazzo can settle in next to Monte Morris in the second unit. From there, roles will crystallize. Newcomer JaMychal Green will take time to learn him as will mobile big Isaiah Hartenstein. His relationship with Will Barton will also be integral to his success. If Barton stays in the second unit, how will he co-exist with Campazzo given that he doesn’t need him to create and score? I wasn’t ready for South America’s fiery basketball takes, but they’re fantastic. The Denver Post has gone global.
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Nuggets drop to 1-4 after comeback falls short against Phoenix Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. expected to miss multiple games due to COVID protocols, source says Veteran JaMychal Green to debut Friday following Nuggets’ spirited practice Nuggets podcast: Nikola Jokic’s incredible start, Denver’s defensive issues, James Harden trade talk and beating back the panic Most-read Denver Nuggets stories of 2020, from skinny Nikola Jokic to Michael Porter Jr. trade rumorsWith the Nets “trade pieces” getting injured (Dinwiddie, ACL tear), how much cheaper does James Harden become for the Nuggets? The Nets trade would virtually be impossible now. Could the Nuggets steal away Harden for Will Barton, Gary Harris and a first-round pick combination?
— Derek Scharf, Provo, Utah
No, they couldn’t. Time is on Houston’s side. They don’t have to trade him for two seasons, so Harden’s going to have to live with the situation until Houston’s management finds a suitable trade partner. Despite Harden’s preferred destination (Brooklyn), I haven’t heard much in the way of them finding any traction with the Nets.
If the Nuggets wanted to trade for Harden, they have the pieces. Porter, who Houston has targeted, would be central to a deal. But that doesn’t mean the Nuggets should do it. Harden doesn’t help the defense whatsoever, hasn’t been known to ever cut for a guy like, let’s say, Nikola Jokic and plays a brand of basketball that might be the antithesis of how Denver has found success. The talent aggregate is, of course, intriguing. The fit, however, is not.
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