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Bruce Brown Bruce Brown declines PO, headed to free agency
Wed, Jun 21, 2023, 9:55 AM
Shams Charania on Twitter
Bruce Brown has declined his $6.8 million player option for 2023-24 and will become a free agent, according to Shams Charania.
Analysis: Brown was a key role player for Denver's 2023 championship run, and he'll look for a more lucrative deal this summer. Whether that deal is with his current team or elsewhere remains to be seen, but Brown has already said that he wants to remain with the Nuggets. |
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Peyton Watson Peyton Watson to take on expanded role in 23-24?
Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 8:35 PM
Zach Lowe, ESPN
According to ESPNâs Zach Lowe, âcoaches, players and staff are optimistic Peyton Watson could seize a big role next season.â
Analysis: The 30th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Watsonâs role was muted in his rookie campaign, averaging 3.3 points and 8.1 minutes across 23 appearances. Apparently, heâs impressed coaches and teammates, and if Bruce Brown leaves this summer in free agency, Watsonâs path to an expanded role could become more clear. Brown has already said he wants to remain with the Nuggets, so weâre not getting our hopes up just yet, but Watson is a name to keep an eye on. A dynasty manager can dream, right? |
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Bruce Brown Bruce Brown says 'I want to stay' in Denver
Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 10:11 AM
Mike Singer on Twitter
Bruce Brown told Mike Singer of the Denver Post following the Nuggets Game 5 victory "I want to stay...Money is not everything."
Analysis: Bruce Brown has earned himself a nice payday after the season and postseason he just put together. Brown averaged 12.0 ppg and 4.0 rebounds off the bench during the playoffs including shooting over 50% from the field. He also had a key putback layup in the final moments of Game 5 to help clinch the title for Denver. The former 2nd round pick will certainly have a lot of suitors this offseason, however Brown told reporters that Denver is "the perfect fit" and added that "Money is not everything." Brown can enter the open market if he declines his $6.8M player option for next season. |
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Michael Porter Michael Porter Jr. records 16/3 double-double
Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 10:30 PM
Michael Porter Jr. recorded a double-double on Monday with 16 points (7-for-17 FGs), 13 rebounds, three assists and one 3-pointer against Miami.
Analysis: After struggling for most of the series, MPJ figured things out at the right time for the Nuggets. He recorded his second double-double of the Finals and had his highest scoring performance in the series. He'll turn 25 later this month, and he had a lot of the early parts of his career taken away from him by back issues, but it all culminated to him winning his first ring this year. He should be able to build off this success and hopefully get back to being an elite fantasy basketball player. |
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Nikola Jokic Add it to the shelf: Nikola Jokic wins Finals MVP
Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 10:26 PM
Nikola Jokic led Denver with 28 points (12-for-16 FGs), 16 rebounds, four assists, one block and one 3-pointer in a 94-89 win over Miami in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday as the Nuggets won the series 4-1, with Jokic being named MVP.
Analysis: Unsurprisingly, Jokic was once again unstoppable in this game. As a team, Denver really struggled to shoot the ball. They shot 5-for-28 from deep and 13-for-23 from the free throw line. Despite that, Jokic was able to lead them to their first ever championship, which is why he won Finals MVP. He averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.4 blocks and 1.6 triples across the five games of the series. After being the best player in fantasy basketball for the third straight season, Jokic made up for not winning his third straight regular season MVP by adding a ring and a Finals MVP to his legacy. At 28 years old, Jokic still has a long time to continue to add to his resume. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray posts 14/8/8, Denver wins Finals 4-1
Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 10:21 PM
Jamal Murray posted a solid line in Game 5 with 14 points (6-for-15 FGs), eight rebounds, eight assists, one steal, two 3-pointers and six turnovers against the Heat on Monday.
Analysis: Murray got off to a slow start, but he ended up having a good game to help the Nuggets complete the gentlemen's sweep of the Heat and win the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Murray had big games throughout the series, and even though his shot wasn't going in this game, he still found ways to impact the game. After missing a large chunk of time due to a knee injury, Murray capped off a stellar season with a championship. He may not ever be among the elite fantasy players, but he's certainly one of the best point guards in the league. |
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (wrist) returns to game
Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 9:37 PM
Tomer Azarly on Twitter
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right wrist sprain) has returned to Game 5 against the Heat on Monday.
Analysis: After being questionable to return, KCP checked back in about halfway through the fourth quarter. Bruce Brown and Christian Braun were in to start the fourth quarter, but Mike Malone will likely roll with the starters the rest of the way. |
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Kentavious Caldwell-Pope questionable to return
Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 9:26 PM
Katy Winge on Twitter
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right wrist sprain) is questionable to return to Game 5 against Miami on Monday.
Analysis: KCP took a hard fall while attempting a fast break layup late in the third quarter. He was clearly in pain, but he ended up finishing out the period. If he isn't able to play in the fourth quarter, Bruce Brown will likely finish the game at shooting guard, with Christian Braun also playing a few minutes in the quarter. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Jokic posts 23/12/4/3/3 line in Game 4 win
Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 10:28 PM
NBA on Twitter
Nikola Jokic accounted for 23 points (8-of-19 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals, three blocks, and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes in Friday's 108-95 win over Miami.
Analysis: Despite dealing with a more active Miami defense and foul trouble, Jokic still managed to record a gaudy stat line. While the two-time MVP didn't post another triple-double, he did make some history. Jokic is the first player in league history to account for at least 500 points, 250 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single postseason. Simply put, the Heat haven't had an answer for Jokic. But we can say that about the entire NBA at this point. Jokic and the Nuggets will look to close out the series on Monday, with a win giving the franchise its first NBA title. |
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Bruce Brown Big payday coming: Bruce Brown shows out in Game 4
Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 10:23 PM
Bruce Brown logged 29 minutes in Denver's 108-95 win over Miami on Friday, tallying 21 points (8-of-11 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and three 3-pointers.
Analysis: Brown has proven to be one of the best free agent signings in the league this season, and his performance in Game 4 has helped push the Nuggets to within a game of their first NBA title. Despite being without Nikola Jokic for more than five minutes early in the fourth quarter due to foul trouble, Denver more than held its own, and Brown was huge. He shot 4-of-5 from the field in the fourth, with the Nuggets ultimately breaking even for the quarter. Of immediate concern for Brown is to help the Nuggets close out this series, which returns to Denver for Game 5 on Monday. Beyond that, he's in for a nice payday this summer as he's expected to opt out of the final season of his deal to become a free agent. |
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Aaron Gordon Aaron Gordon scores playoff career-high 27 points
Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 10:16 PM
Zach Kram on Twitter
Aaron Gordon shot 11-of-15 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line in Friday's 108-95 win over the Heat, scoring 27 points with six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers in 41 minutes.
Analysis: With Miami changing its defensive approach to get the ball out of Nikola Jokic's and Jamal Murray's hands as quickly as possible, the "others" needed to step up for Denver. Gordon led the charge in Game 4, establishing a new playoff career-high with 27 points. He shot the ball well on all three levels while also being impactful as a secondary playmaker. Murray was the only Nugget with more assists than Gordon, as he racked up 12 to go along with 15 points (5-of-17 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, one steal, and two 3-pointers. Murray is the first player in NBA history to have at least 10 assists in each of his first four Finals games. And he's the second (Magic Johnson) to start a Finals series with four straight double-digit assist games. Denver will look to win its first NBA title in Game 5 on Monday. |
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Michael Porter Malone: Michael Porter Jr. to remain a starter
Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 6:06 PM
Ira Winderman on Twitter
Ahead of Friday's Game 4, Nuggets coach Michael Malone ruled out the possibility of Michael Porter Jr. being removed from the starting lineup.
Analysis: If anything, it would have been a major surprise if Malone made a change, even with Porter struggling offensively. Over the first three games of the series, MPJ is averaging just 7.0 points per game on 25.8% shooting from the field. However, he's also averaging 8.7 rebounds per contest in the series. As long as Porter can contribute in other areas while avoiding the occasional defensive lapse, he shouldn't be at risk of getting dropped out of the starting lineup. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (left hand) dealing with floor burn
Thu, Jun 8, 2023, 2:21 PM
Mike Singer on Twitter
Jamal Murray suffered a floor burn on his left hand during Wednesday's Game 3 win over the Heat.
Analysis: A few alarm bells went off when it was reported that Murray was at Denver's practice session with a bandaged left hand on Thursday. All is well, as the star guard is simply dealing with a floor burn. Also, Murray's right-handed, so some tape on his left hand should not pose an issue for Game 4 on Friday. It would be surprising if his name were even included on the Nuggets' injury report when that gets released. |
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Christian Braun Podium game? Christian Braun scores 15 in Game 3
Wed, Jun 7, 2023, 10:22 PM
Christian Braun made the most of his 19 minutes in Wednesday's Game 3 win over Miami, shooting 7-of-8 from the field and finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Analysis: After scoring six points and playing 23 minutes total in the first two games of the NBA Finals, Braun stepped up in a big way Wednesday night. The 15 points are the most he's scored in a game since April 6, when the rookie matched that number in a regular season loss to the Suns. And that was a game in which Denver rested its entire starting five, with Braun playing 33 minutes. Having a night like this on the NBA Finals stage is a far bigger deal, especially with this being Braun's first double-digit scoring effort of the postseason. The rookie isn't offering much as a perimeter shooter, but his athleticism was a factor on both ends of the floor in Game 3. Braun will look to do more of the same in Game 4 on Friday. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray goes off for 34/10/10 in Game 3 rout
Wed, Jun 7, 2023, 10:14 PM
Jamal Murray finished Wednesday's 109-94 win over Miami with a line of 34 points (12-of-22 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 45 minutes.
Analysis: While he did turn the ball over seven times in Denver's Game 3 victory, Murray bounced back as a scorer thanks to a more aggressive approach. After attempting three free throws total in the series' first two games, he had eight in Game 3. Add in a 12-of-22 night from the field, and the end result was Murray's first 30-point game since Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The triple-double was Jamal's first of these playoffs, and he's dished out 10 assists in each of the first three games of this series. Prop bettors would be wise to look out for Murray's assist number ahead of Game 4 on Friday, as the "over" could prove profitable. |
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Nikola Jokic Historic: Nikola Jokic drops 32/21/10 stat line
Wed, Jun 7, 2023, 10:08 PM
Micah Adams on Twitter
Nikola Jokic shot 12-of-21 from the field and 7-of-8 from the foul line in Wednesday's 109-94 win over Miami, accumulating 32 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 44 minutes.
Analysis: Jokic may have tried to downplay his night in the postgame interview, but his excellence in Game 3 cannot be denied. The two-time MVP became the first player in NBA Finals history to record a line with at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. Also, he's responsible for three of the five 30/20/10 lines in NBA postseason history (Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Regardless of what Miami tries defensively, Jokic is going to get his numbers. And when he gets the help that he received from Jamal Murray in Game 3, the Nuggets are nearly impossible to beat. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday night, with Denver looking to take a 3-1 series lead. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Jokic drops 41 in losing effort Sunday
Sun, Jun 4, 2023, 10:32 PM
Nikola Jokic contributed 41 points to go with 11 rebounds, four assists and a pair of three-pointers.
Analysis: Jokic was monstrous on the offensive end in this one, hitting 16-of-28 shots and 7-of-8 free throws to deliver his third 40-point effort of the 2023 postseason. Denverâs other four starters combined for 41 points on 15-of-34 shooting, and Jokic understandably focused his energy on scoring with so many teammates struggling. The four assists are his fewest of the postseason, and they match his second-fewest of the regular season. Jokic has been masterful for the entirety of the Nuggetsâ playoff run and, despite the loss, he was the best player on the court again Sunday. The Nuggets suffered their first home loss of the playoffs, but Jokic will look to guide his team to a road win Wednesday in Miami for Game 3. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray goes 26/10/6, Nugs open Finals w/ win
Thu, Jun 1, 2023, 10:26 PM
Jamal Murray posted a 26-point, 10-assist double-double Thursday against the Heat, adding six rebounds, a steal and two triples.
Analysis: He shot 11-of-22 from the field and incredibly, Murray did most of his damage in the first three quarters. Dating back to Game 6 against Phoenix, he's now scored at least 25 in six straight games, and he's provided two double-doubles in his last four outings. Much like his counterpart Nikola Jokic, Murray has broken out this postseason, averaging nearly 28 points per game to go with 5.5 boards and 6.1 dimes. Murray and Jokic will look to handle their business at home in Game 2 on Sunday and take a 2-0 series lead before heading back to Miami for Game 3 on Wednesday. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Jokic casually posts another triple-double
Thu, Jun 1, 2023, 10:19 PM
Nikola Jokic finished Thursdayâs victory over the Heat with 27 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds, a steal, a block and a triple.
Analysis: What else can we say about the two-time MVP whoâs taken this postseason run as an opportunity to silence all of his doubters? Weâre honestly out of superlatives for the Serbian superhuman. Joker delivered his ninth triple-double of the 2023 playoffs, becoming the second player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his Finals debut (Jason Kidd, 2002). He had just 15 points through three quarters but delivered 12 big ones in the fourth to hold off a late Miami rally and keep the Heat from getting too close for comfort. Jokic led all scorers, and his monster triple-double is one of the quietest youâll ever see. Weâve gotten to the point that double-digit points, rebounds and assists are the expectation every single time heâs on the court. Thatâs absurd. |
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Aaron Gordon Aaron Gordon gets big LeBlock on LeBron in Game 4
Mon, May 22, 2023, 10:34 PM
Aaron Gordon finished Monday's series-clinching win over the Lakers with 22 points (9-of-14 FG), six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three triples.
Analysis: AG had been missing in action through three games of the Western Conference Finals, but he picked a great time to have his best game of the series. Gordon averaged just 9.7 points, 3.3 boards and 3.0 dimes in Games 1-3 while shooting 0-of-6 from beyond the arc, but he was aggressive on offense in this one, pulling down four offensive boards and getting to the basket with regularity. The points and boards were great, but they paled in comparison to his defense at the end of the game. LeBron James got the ball with just four seconds to play, and after Jamal Murray slowed him down on his drive to the basket, Gordon blocked King James on his game-tying layup attempt. The Nuggets are in the Finals for the first time in franchise history, and Gordon will look to carry the momentum from this game into that series against Miami or Boston. |
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