On the latest episode of Locked on Nuggets: No Jinx With Matt Moore and Ryan Blackburn, the fellas got into the weeds on the bench and how Denver is different for better or worse with Jamal Murray.
Nuggets’ Performance Without Jamal Murray:
- “The Nuggets won and looked awesome without Jamal Murray. So, of course, that sparked all sorts of completely stupid questions, which we’re going to talk about on today’s show. People wonder if the Nuggets might somehow be better off or if their style of play improves without Jamal on the floor, which is, frankly, a wild overreaction. But it’s interesting to see how they adapt and what the numbers actually show when he’s not in the lineup.”
- “This conversation isn’t just about one game, though. It’s about what happens when you remove a high-usage player like Jamal Murray from a roster that’s built around two stars. Does it allow others to step up and fill in the gaps, or does it put too much pressure on Nikola Jokic to carry the load? That’s what we’re here to dig into.”
Pace of Play and Its Impact:
- “This is a show about pace. About going through life at your pace and how the Nuggets have a really hard time getting on the same one. Whether they’re speeding up too much or slowing down unnecessarily, it’s like they can’t find that middle ground where everything clicks. Pace is everything for this team because when they get it right, they look unstoppable. When they get it wrong, it’s a total mess.”
- “It’s not just about playing fast or slow; it’s about control. The Nuggets have a specific rhythm that suits them best, and any deviation from that rhythm, whether caused by turnovers, poor shot selection, or lineup changes, throws everything off. It’s fascinating to see how this impacts their offense and even how they defend in transition.”
Bench Unit Challenges:
- “We’re also going to talk about, guess what? The bench again. Specifically, pace. The bench has been a major source of frustration, and it’s because they just don’t seem to get the memo on playing at the right tempo. Sometimes, they push too hard, turning the game into a track meet that favors the other team. Other times, they bog things down, making the offense look stagnant and predictable.”
- “The bench needs to find a way to be effective without disrupting the overall flow of the game. It’s not easy when you have guys trying to make a case for more minutes or prove their worth, but at some point, they have to mesh with the starters’ tempo. Otherwise, you end up with these massive swings in performance that make the Nuggets vulnerable, especially against elite teams.”
Predictions for the Homestand:
- “Plus, we’ll do some predictions for the homestand. The next few games are crucial, and we’ve got some tough matchups coming up. If the Nuggets can iron out the pace issues and get even a little more from the bench, there’s a real chance they could go on a strong run. But if they continue to struggle with consistency, it could be a long and difficult stretch.”
- “We’re looking at this homestand as a litmus test. Can the Nuggets prove that they’re more than just a great starting five? Can the bench rise to the occasion and maintain, if not improve, the pace when they’re out there? It’s going to be really telling, and we’ll have plenty to analyze in the coming days.”
