In Wednesday’s loss to the New York Knicks, Michael Malone changed up the starting lineup, returning Aaron Gordon to the starting unit in place of Christian Braun.
First, an admission. I got this wrong. After talking to people around the organization this summer, I got the sense that Braun was the one thing everyone could agree on, from coaching to management to ownership.
Braun’s been terrific in the starting unit, even as an inconsistent shooter and even as his defense has waned a bit with a higher minutes and usage load. So I thought that if a change came to the starters, Braun would not be the one sent to the bench. I got that wrong.
The move makes sense on paper. Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic have what Michael Malone termed the best two-man game in basketball right now. (Whither Jamal Murray?)
So if you’re putting AG in to counter the Knicks’ physicality, it makes sense.
But ultimately, it didn’t pay off as behind a weird game from Jokic and another poor defensive effort, the Knicks got the win.
So now your move didn’t work. Braun was also -18 in this one. Does he return to the starting unit? Who goes to the bench? AG again? Russ? Do you give it time?
The Nuggets suddenly have more questions than answers right now.
