It would be premature to say that the Nuggets are going through an identity crisis after six games, with two initial losses at home, and two complicated victories after overtime. The fact remains that the 2023 NBA champions are less sure of their basketball (3 wins – 3 losses), and that the lack of impact from the bench is one of the main problems of this start to the season.
Overall, passages without Nikola Jokic are a real problem, and that's why Mike Malone uses him to the maximum: 38 minutes! The Serbian has never played so much in his entire career. The lack of automation in the “second unit” is a stark contrast and several reasons can explain this misadjustment. Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric have just arrived, and the two Nuggets are struggling to find each other, but also to position themselves in relation to their new teammates.
For example, Michael Malone put light certain difficulties encountered by the Nuggets, starting with the paradoxical situation of Peyton Watson. As he begins his third season in Denver, the winger is having difficulty finding his place with the “second unit”. Through a video session, the coach highlighted the lack of reflexes of his winger on certain sequences, he who is shooting 4.3 points at 22% at the start of the season.
Learn to play together
When Russell Westbrook infiltrates the opposing defense, Peyton Watson, although freed from his defender, does not react, and he remains motionless.
“Peyton never moved” lamented Mike Malone recently. “He stayed around. When his defender goes to help, he is supposed to be right behind. It should be a 'lob' or a 'dunk'. We can have the advantage in that aspect, and now we have to go out, catch the ball and take advantage of that advantage.”
“It’s a bit complicated, I haven’t played since May. I'm just finding my rhythm. But I always feel like I'm the best defender when I go on the pitch.” defends Peyton Watson.
While he displays a terrible 23% on shots, Russell Westbrook prefers to procrastinate. “It’s too early. Too early to try to understand what works and what doesn't. We don't know what it's going to be like. We have to remain kind and see where it comes from”.
Patience or urgency?
Despite everything, the line remains fine for the Nuggets, who must both manage to give themselves time, while also starting to think about future changes.
“We have to find a solution with the replacements”assures Mike Malone. “But we have to find the right balance between 'let's give ourselves time, but for how long before considering changes?' There are a lot of matches left. But I ask myself all the time: 'Should I help Westbrook, Saric, Strawther and Watson?' So it’s not all on them, it’s up to me to find a solution”.
While he averages 1 point in nine minutes, Dario Saric also wants his Nuggets “give yourself time”. As for Julian Strawther, despite a good last match against Utah (19 points at 7/11 shooting), he does not yet represent a real threat to opposing defenses.
In a Western Conference that is denser than ever, the Nuggets don't necessarily have a lot of time to devote to experiments anyway. After Toronto this Monday, Mike Malone's players will face Oklahoma City, Miami then Dallas. Posters that look like big tests to find some answers, even if the possible absence of Jamal Murray could further complicate things for Mike Malone, in his quest for solutions.
