Ryan Blackburn here, the host of the daily Locked On Nuggets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nuggets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nuggets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Jamal Murray must adjust his play style when he returns
Nov 6, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during a timeout in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images|Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
It was another slow start for Jamal Murray (and the Denver Nuggets) to begin the 2024-25 NBA season.
In the first four games of Murray’s year, the veteran point guard averaged 18.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Those are decent enough counting averages in a small sample size. When paired with poor shooting efficiency numbers (37.9 FG% and 35.0 3P%) and a negative plus-minus with the bench, Nuggets fans grew concerned.
Then, Murray left the fifth game of the season after a collision with Julius Randle caused him to enter concussion protocol.
In the games since, the Nuggets are undefeated, winning in blowout fashion against the Utah Jazz and in clutch fashion against the Toronto Raptors and Oklahoma City Thunder. Russell Westbrook has filled in admirably for Murray, and even though the Nuggets haven’t closed with Westbrook, the impact has been felt throughout 48 minutes.
One of the key reasons why is pace. In the last three games, the Nuggets have accumulated 28, 17, and 21 fast break points respectively. Westbrook is one reason for that leap, but another is the combination of Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson. The Nuggets have played faster, running more often, and taking advantage of their athleticism to challenge defenses earlier.
It’s a great advantage to have in Denver, especially at higher altitude. It’s also something the Nuggets haven’t done as frequently in years past. In the previous five seasons, the Nuggets rankings in PACE (a total possessions played statistic on the NBA’s website) are 29th, 27th, 20th (the year Murray missed), 24th, and 26th respectively.
Through eight games, the Nuggets are up to eighth in PACE. In the first four games of the season that Murray played, the Nuggets ranked 25th, right in line with their consistent averages. In the last three games, they rank first in the entire NBA.
Part of the reason for Denver’s slowness year-over-year is Nikola Jokic and Michael Malone. They often like to play more methodical, make smart decisions, and avoid mistakes.
But a significant chunk of it, and perhaps the most important factor, is Murray himself. He’s methodical as a player, often choosing to take his time. He rocks the defense to sleep before making a move to generate a sliver of space for a shot or a pass. It’s been a while since Murray used his athleticism and burst to overwhelm the opposition.
It’s possible that version of Murray is gone after his leg injuries. He may not be able to maintain the pace the Nuggets could reach with a constant flow of fast breaks and transition possessions.
Still, when Murray returns, he should try and speed things up. The Nuggets have the personnel to play fast. This version of the team isn’t a halfcourt group. It’s a running unit.
Murray is questionable against the Miami Heat tonight. If he plays, the Nuggets should push him to run more.
The Nuggets did it (Nikola Jokic did it), the Warriors did it (the death lineup and defensive efficiency), the Celtics did it (switching one through five, pre-switching, neutralizing open lanes), and now the Thunder are doing it.
It’s been described as pestering, smothering, swarming, but I‘d like to put “car wash” into consideration. That’s the set up awaiting opponents. The car (the opposing team) gets locked into those self-driving tracks and the gauntlet begins. Lu Dort and Alex Caruso appear as those cylindrical spinning brushes, stripping the ball outright and early or else funnelling players into the next wave of guards. Pressure continues from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams but it becomes more targeted, thinking of the jet streams of water now being directed at the car from every angle — and those spinning whirlwinds of Caruso and Dort haven’t relented.
If, somehow, an opposing player finds a sliver of daylight in the so-small-its-micro-ball switching scheme the Thunder are playing, if they manage to get out from the many hands reaching in, pressuring, forcing turnovers, then they will meet Chet Holmgren at the rim. Holmgren is like those long, slapping shammy tentacles that come down on the hood, sides and roof of the car from every angle, though his reach and hands are much more expertly deployed. The Thunder have a defensive rating of 96.5 (for context the Warriors, at second best, seem light-years behind with a respectable 103.8) and lead the league in steals (13.4) and blocks (7.3). The cars are coming out spotless, utterly worked.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Watch Defense wins games? Here’s an insightful breakdown of OKC’s defensive schemes. (Thinking Basketball)
Must Read The Influence of Sedona Price: Take a fascinating look at the domino effect of NIL on college athletics, women’s sports, social media and athlete health. (The New Yorker)
Personnel Michael Malone praises Russell Westbrook’s impact on the Nuggets, highlighting his leadership and experience as crucial assets. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis Denver Nuggets’ recent performances indicate their potential as title contenders, emphasizing teamwork and strategic depth in upcoming matchups. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Impact of Miles Bridges’ Injury
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) holds his knee after a collision at the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Spectrum Center.|Photo by Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
With only three games on Thursday, there was ample time to delve into the latest injury news and its implications for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Their Impact
Miles Bridges’ knee injury is a significant concern. After initially returning to play, he’s now sidelined for at least two weeks with a knee bone bruise. This situation opens up opportunities for other players. With Nick Richards and Mark Williams also out, Taj Gibson steps in as the starting centre. Grant Williams, who has been getting centre minutes, will likely shift to playing more at the four, alongside Tidjane Salaun. This reshuffling could push Williams into a more prominent role, making him a potential pick-up in 12-team leagues.
The absence of Bridges also means increased usage for Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Tre Mann is another player to watch; holding onto him could be beneficial as the team adjusts to these injuries.
Ja Morant’s hamstring injury is another blow, with expectations of a two-week absence. Memphis’ injury reporting is notoriously vague, so fantasy managers should prepare for an extended period without Morant. Tyrese Maxey’s situation is similar, with the Sixers indicating a reevaluation in a week, but realistically, it could be longer. Kyle Lowry is a suitable replacement in the meantime.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nuggets podcasts.
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