November 3rd 2024.
Nikola Jokic put on a stellar performance on Saturday night, channeling his inner Michael Porter Jr. in order to give both of them some much-needed rest. The Denver Nuggets have been relying heavily on Jokic and Porter to carry the team, with Jokic averaging almost five more minutes per game than the previous season and Porter averaging six more minutes. With Jamal Murray out due to concussion protocol, the pressure was on Jokic and Porter to step up even more for the team.
As the game against the Utah Jazz progressed, the Nuggets only held a small lead of 81-68 with five minutes left in the third quarter. This was not enough for the starters to take a break, but then Jokic stepped up and hit three 3-pointers in just three minutes from different spots on the court. Porter couldn't help but smile as he watched the rest of the game from the bench, knowing that Jokic's impressive shooting had given them some much-needed rest.
The Nuggets have faced criticism for their 3-point shooting early in the season, with Jokic himself admitting that they were not a good shooting team after a disappointing performance in their first game. He and Porter were the only consistent threats from beyond the arc, but even they had a slow start to the season. However, Porter remained unfazed, stating that if their first few games had taken place in January, no one would have been concerned.
But the Nuggets' 3-point shooting has not been as bad as it seemed in their first game against the Thunder, where they had a high volume of attempts but poor efficiency. Since then, they have been more in line with their usual trend of low volume and high efficiency, shooting at 43.2% from outside (excluding the first game) on just 29.2 attempts in their last five games. They currently rank second-to-last in the league in 3-point attempts, just ahead of the Lakers.
Porter's shooting percentage for the season is 37.5%, but he has improved to 50% since the Nuggets went on their first road trip. His average attempts per game are also within his desired range of 6.7. However, it has been Jokic who has been the surprise revelation from beyond the arc since his comment about the team's shooting in the first game. He has made 16 out of 27 attempts this season, surprising even Porter himself. The Nuggets have even designed plays specifically to get Jokic open 3-point looks, a clear sign of his improved shooting.
Jokic's third-quarter shooting spree against the Jazz not only boosted his own stats, but it also gave the starting lineup some much-needed rest. After four games that went down to the wire and two that went into overtime, the starters were in desperate need of a break. Jokic's impressive shooting allowed him, Porter, and Aaron Gordon to sit out for at least five or six extra minutes. He showcased his versatility by hitting jumpers from all over the court, whether it was spot-up shots or pull-up shots.
For 22-year-old Julian Strawther, it's not just about the volume of 3-point attempts, but also about staying efficient. He has been intentional about not forcing shots, even though he has been the only efficient scorer on the second unit. He explained that he could easily take more 3-pointers per game, but it would not be a wise decision as it could lead to ill-advised shots. Instead, he is focused on maintaining his efficiency and being known as a reliable scorer.
Jokic's shooting percentage is bound to regress, even if he continues to shoot relatively well. A 60% shooting clip is not sustainable, but it is encouraging that the Nuggets have four players shooting over 40% from beyond the arc, including Gordon who is shooting at an impressive 55% this season. The power forward does not have a specific number of attempts in mind when he starts a shooting workout, instead, he just shoots until he feels he has had enough practice.
The Nuggets' approach to 3-point attempts has been to take what the defense gives them. In their game against the Toronto Raptors, they only attempted 20 3-pointers but still managed to come away with a win. However, in their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they dominated in the paint but were unable to keep up with the Wolves' 3-point shooting. Head coach Michael Malone acknowledges that they may not be able to increase their 3-point attempts, but getting more makes is a priority for him.
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