October 27th 2024.
The Nuggets were feeling more discomfort in their stomachs than they were used to. Despite their three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic, giving his all with a 41-point game, they still ended up losing on Saturday afternoon. When asked about the team's progress, Jokic was blunt, just as he had been earlier in the week when he called them a bad shooting team. He remarked, "probably yesterday" with a hint of frustration in his voice.
Meanwhile, Jamal Murray, who has been Jokic's longtime point guard, recommended Pepto Bismol for the team's stomach troubles. He had a deeper understanding of the team's dynamics, having won a championship with most of the current players. Despite their struggles, Murray expressed trust in his teammates and their gradual improvement, although it hasn't translated into wins just yet.
This is only the second time in Jokic's career that the Nuggets have started 0-2. To make matters worse, after Saturday's games, they ranked last in the NBA in team offensive rating, although it was still early in the season. And now, they face a difficult three-game road trip, starting with a game against the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.
Murray's health, production, and role in the lineup are major question marks for the team. But after a solid individual performance with 22 points, 5 assists, and 3 three-pointers, he stood up for his team's depth and shooting abilities. He mentioned players like P.J. Dozier and Facundo Campazzo, who are still recovering from injuries, and how they will contribute when they are back on the court.
Despite some challenges, Murray's fit in the starting lineup has been successful. He has scored in double digits in both games and has also played impressive defense against top players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden. The new-look starting five has a net rating of 14.1, showing their potential. Even with Michael Porter Jr. struggling with his shooting, the starting lineup has been consistent with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
However, the loss of Murray in the second unit has caused some problems. The bench players have struggled with shooting, going 10 for 46 from the field in the first two games. They also had only 5 rebounds in the game against the Clippers, highlighting their lack of size. Defensively, they have been inconsistent, with players like Dario Saric struggling against bigger opponents like Ivica Zubac.
Murray admitted that chemistry has been a factor in the team's slow start. He mentioned a specific instance during the game where he wasn't sure whether to play as a shooting guard or a small forward, showing the need for better communication and understanding among the players.
Although Murray has played in the second unit in both games, his fit with Russell Westbrook has been awkward so far. The Nuggets had shown interest in Westbrook during the summer, hoping to push Murray in practice. But their first 21 minutes on the court together have resulted in a negative net rating of 28.9.
Coach Michael Malone has been trying different lineups, including staggering Murray's minutes, but it hasn't been successful yet. The best second-unit minutes so far have been when Murray was paired with Porter, showing the importance of having two starters on the court together. As the Nuggets continue their road trip, their depth will continue to be a concern.
Even if the team figures themselves out and start winning games, they can't afford any injuries with their current roster. Murray expressed his focus on playing with whoever is on the court, leaving lineup decisions to the head coach. The Nuggets have a tough road ahead, but with their determination and trust in each other, they hope to turn things around and get back on track.
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