Xfinity Friday Film Study

Eric Spyropoulos

Heading into Thursday’s game against the New York Knicks, the Denver Nuggets had the top-ranked defensive rating in the league, a development that was unexpected heading into the 2019-20 season and the key reason Denver has been able to win 14 of their first 19 games.

The Nuggets’ defense has been elite throughout the season despite their offense continuing to search for a rhythm. While Will Barton III and Paul Millsap deserve plenty of praise and credit for this continued improvement on that end of the floor, Gary Harris’ defense on the perimeter has disrupted opposing offenses throughout the first quarter of the season.

Harris has developed a reputation as a solid defender in recent seasons, but the 25-year-old guard has reached a new level to begin the 2019-20 campaign. Although Harris’ usage on offensive has fallen to 15.6 percent (the lowest of his career), Harris continues to produce for Denver through his impressive defense.

The former 19th-overall pick in the 2014 draft has used his quick hands, footwork and tenacity to cause turnovers and contest shots at a high level this season. As a result, Harris is posting career-highs in defensive box plus-minus (+1.2) and defensive rating (104), while Denver’s defense is 2.6 points per 100 possessions better when he is on the floor this season.

That on-court defensive improvement is mainly a result of Harris’ impact on opponent turnovers and offensive rebounding. When Harris has been on the court this season, opponent turnover percentage increases by 3.1 percent (which ranks in the 92nd percentile), while opponent offensive rebound percentage decreases by 6.2 percent (which is in the 97th percentile).

Furthermore, opponents are less effective in transition when Harris is on the floor this season, which has been the case in each of the past two seasons.

As a result, it is no surprise to see teams try and run Harris through multiple screens to get him switched off of their lead guards.

“He has great size for his position, he is strong, he is athletic, he has great hands, he has the instincts, his ability to stay low, chase over screens, fight through screens, blow screens up, and then he takes pride in it,” Barton III explained to T.J. McBride of Mile High Sports. “He knows we count on him to be our lock down defender and every night he does it.”

Let’s take a closer look at how Harris has made strides on the defensive end this season.

Harris’ steal numbers are only slightly better than last season (1.3 per game compared to 1.0 per game in the 2018-19 season), but he continues to wreak havoc on unsuspecting ball-handlers.

Against the Brooklyn Nets, Harris’ reach and quick hands poked the ball away from Joe Harris as he tried to go around a screen set by DeAndre Jordan.

Harris thrives when he is matched up against players that aren’t lead guards, as their loose handles can be a welcome sign for Harris to create a turnover that leads to points in transition.

However, Harris’ quick hands don’t just cause trouble ballhandlers on the perimeter, they also allow Harris to get his hands on the ball as players attack the basket.

In the clip below, Harris does well to stay with Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday before reaching in and getting the strip as Holiday went up for the shot (the play was classified as a block in the box score).

Harris had success defending Holiday in the first matchup between the Nuggets and Pelicans, as he forced New Orleans’ lead guard into 1 of 4 shooting when the two were directly matched up.

Active contests and consistent team defense

Harris has also worked to fight through screens and contest as many shots as possible this season, which has helped him hold some of the elite offensive players in the league to off-nights.

In addition to holding Holiday to 25 percent shooting this season, Harris has held Devin Booker (2 of 8 from the field, three turnovers), Damian Lillard (2 of 7 from the field) and Luka Doncic (0 of 4 shooting, two turnovers) in check when he directly defended them.

“That man right there,” Jamal Murray said following Denver’s win over the Washington Wizards. “He has done a great job — an amazing job. Every good player that comes in here or every star player that comes in here, he does a great job of just taking away what they do best.”

It’s important to note the traditional box score doesn’t accurately represent a player’s individual defense on a given night. If Devin Booker shoots 4 of 17 from the field, Harris didn’t defend all 17 shot attempts. With the amount of switching that goes on in today’s NBA and the flow of a basketball game, players rarely spend each minute on the floor guarding their respective position.

However, when Harris has been matched up with a fellow guard, he has consistently performed well this season, as highlighted above. In the clip below, Harris chases Booker around the floor before sticking with him and contesting the fading jumper from the Suns’ young star guard.

When Harris isn’t forcing star guards into turnovers and tough shots, he is executing within the team’s defensive scheme, with the perfect example being Denver’s aggressive approach in defending James Harden.

In the play below, Harris does a great job defending Harden one-on-one. He forces the 2018 MVP to start driving into the paint, which is exactly where the Nuggets found success against Harden. As a result of Harris sticking with Harden on the drive and forcing him to the middle of the floor, Millsap was able to help over and get the steal, leading to a layup in transition.

Although Harden had an effective shooting night (8 of 16 from the field), the number of field-goal attempts was well below his season average and Denver forced eight turnovers against Houston’s lead guard.

Although Harris won’t show up on many highlight reels with impressive steals and blocks this season, he has quietly become one of the better perimeter defenders in the league and is one of the driving forces behind the league’s top-ranked defense.

There will surely be plenty of competition for the All-Defensive First Team this season that may keep Harris off that list, but head coach Michael Malone and the Nuggets will surely be happy with Harris’ contributions if he continues defending at this level.

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Nuggets Friday Film Study: Gary Harris’ “First Team” level of defense

At 10-3, the Denver Nuggets are off to one of the best starts in the entire NBA. Yet this impressive start (which includes wins over the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets) has been fueled by Denver’s defense. Yes, you read that right. The Denver Nuggets’ identity through the first month of the 2019-20 season is a grind-it-out team that gets stops on the defensive end.

Despite the Memphis Grizzlies trading away franchise stalwarts in recent seasons as they transition into a new era for the team, their grit and grind style of basketball appears to be alive and well in the Mile High City, to an extent.

Yes, these 2019-20 Denver Nuggets are not as one-sided when it comes to their performance on each end of the floor as most of those Memphis teams were. The Grizzlies’ 13th-ranked offense during the 2014-15 season was the highest they managed during their extended run as a playoff team from 2010-11 to the 2016-17 season.

Currently, Denver ranks sixth in defensive rating and 17th in offensive rating (per Cleaning the Glass, which filters out garbage time). However, the two teams share a similarity in the slow-paced nature of the games they played. The Nuggets currently rank last in the league in pace, while those Memphis teams were consistently in the bottom five in that regard, especially in the final years of that iteration of the team.

Denver’s impressive 105-95 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday really showcased the team’s potential on the defensive end of the floor. The Nuggets were the first team to hold Houston under 100 points in a game this season (and snapped the Rockets’ 21-game run of scoring over 100 points) and forced eight turnovers from James Harden, mainly as a result of their unpredictable strategy to double-team and trap the 2017-18 MVP.

“We gave him different looks, we got the ball out of his hands, the guys believed, they executed, and that’s what you have to do against great players and obviously, the game plan worked this time,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said.

The below video highlights how the Nuggets were able to generate a season-high 32 points off of Houston’s 23 turnovers. From well-timed rotations to active hands in the passing lanes, Denver’s defense swarmed Houston’s dynamic star duo of Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and Torrey Craig were the main culprits in Houston’s offensive struggles on Wednesday. Murray had six steals on the night, while Millsap and Craig contributed in a variety of ways on the defensive end. Millsap finished with four Stocks (steals and blocks combined), while Craig had five stocks in his 19 minutes of action off the bench.

Millsap’s ability to use his active hands and court awareness to disrupt Houston’s offense was crucial in Wednesday’s win. In the video below, he gets his hand in as Harden and Westbrook were navigating the court, which ultimately forced turnovers. The final play was just Millsap being incredibly locked in, as he helps over as Houston initiates a pick-and-roll, which allows Denver’s savvy veteran to be in perfect position to strip Tyson Chandler of the ball.

Of course, Craig’s steal and dunk in transition highlighted Denver’s defensive performance on Wednesday. However, not all of Craig’s contributions showed up in the box score. According to the NBA matchup data, Craig held Westbrook and Harden to a combined 1-of-10 from the field on Wednesday.  When Malone needs additional defensive reinforcements, he knows that he can count on Craig and Jerami Grant off the bench.

Wednesday’s performance was no aberration. Denver’s defense has consistently executed at a high level this season. Wednesday marked the seventh occasion in which the Nuggets held their opponent under 100 points this season and they are 7-0 in those games. After decades of being known as an offensive juggernaut that used the Denver altitude to run teams off the floor, these Nuggets appear to be made of a different mold.

“I think our guys most importantly understand for us to win, the defense has to be the constant,” Malone said. “The offense will come and go…but defense is your anchor, it’s your calling card. You’re going to be able to win some games when your offense is not with you. In our losses this year, we haven’t defended anybody, and I think our guys understand that.”

Denver is at least average in all of the defensive four factors (third in opponent effective field-goal percentage, 14th in opponent turnover percentage, 14th in opponent offensive rebound percentage and 15th in opponent free throw rate). This could be cause for concern, as opponents are more likely to shoot better against Denver moving forward this season, especially from beyond the arc and in the mid-range (opponents have connected on just 32.1 percent of their 3-pointers and 33.1 percent of their mid-range jumpers).

The Nuggets’ starting lineup has certainly received that message loud and clear. Denver’s starters own a 97.8 defensive rating in the 226 minutes they have shared the court together, which is by far the best mark on the team (and fourth in the league among lineups that have played at least 100 minutes together this season).

The two veteran forwards have been leading the charge on that end of the floor this season. When Millsap and Will Barton III have been on the court together this season, Denver has posted a 97.0 defensive rating, which ranks in the 97th percentile (per Cleaning the Glass).

Barton III’s one-on-one defense has been key to Denver’s starting lineup and the team’s defensive success overall. As Adam Mares of DNVR showcases in the clip below, Barton III was able to guard a wide variety of Houston’s players on Wednesday, including a shutdown possession against Westbrook.

If Denver’s starting forwards are able to stay healthy throughout the regular season, there is good reason to believe that the starting lineup will continue to thrive on the defensive end and be supported on the bench unit by players such as Craig and Grant.

Sure, Grit and Grind may never truly come back in today’s modern NBA that is predicated on pushing the pace and high-scoring contests. However, the Nuggets are the closest thing to those prime Grizzlies teams, using an elite defense to win slow, grind-it-out contests against some of the NBA’s best.

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Nuggets Friday Film Study: Denver’s new defensive identity

Early-season results in the NBA can be tricky to evaluate and believe in. While there are certainly some teams performing at the level expected of them prior to the start of the regular season, there are always teams playing above or below their heads during the opening weeks.

For the Denver Nuggets, a 5-2 start hasn’t come without some eye-opening trends.  Similar to the start of the 2018-19 season, Denver has relied more on its defense to win early games as the offense continues to find its footing. Several players are thriving to begin the year, while others are looking for their shooting touch or identifying the best time for cuts toward the basket.

Of course, a seven-game sample size must be taken with a grain of salt. Players and teams will stabilize and performances will even out across the board as the true playoff contenders distance themselves from younger, rebuilding teams. With that being said, let’s take a look at some early season developments for the Nuggets.

Will Barton III regained his spot in the starting lineup and hasn’t disappointed so far this season. Despite missing two games with a toe injury, Barton III has provided additional playmaking, scoring and even rebounding.

The 28-year-old forward has averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on 55 percent true shooting. The rebounding has been a big boost for Denver, especially on the offensive glass, where Barton III is averaging two boards a contest. The early returns on Barton III’s impact have been extremely impressive, as the Nuggets have been +30.2 points per 100 possessions when the veteran has been on the floor. This is mainly a result of Barton III’s impact on the defense, which is 22.5 points per 100 possessions better when he has been on the court.

While Barton III likely won’t shoot 50 percent from beyond the arc for the entire season, his shooting inside the arc should rebound to previous levels. In his first five games, Barton III has connected on only 36.8 percent of his two-point attempts, well below his career average of 47.6 percent. Despite these struggles inside the arc, Barton III showcased his ability and desire to attack the basket and put pressure on the defense, as he completed several and-ones around the rim in Denver’s win over the Miami Heat.

“I think Will, when he’s locked in and focused like he’s playing right now, he gives you a lot of positives on both ends of the floor,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said, following the win over the Heat.

If the Nuggets are getting Will “the Thrill” Barton III for the 2019-20 season, their offense will be even more dynamic, while the defense will benefit from his length and energy.

As mentioned earlier, Barton III has struggled to knockdown his shots inside the 3-point line. However, point guard Jamal Murray has had no such issues, which has fueled his strong start to the season.

Despite 35.5 percent 3-point shooting, Murray’s 55.9 true-shooting percentage to begin the season would be the second highest of his career. This is mainly a result of Murray’s strong two-point shooting and his increase in free-throw attempts. As a career 87.7 percent free-throw shooter, Murray’s ability to get to the foul line can be extremely valuable for Denver’s offense, and the fourth-year guard has looked to do just that in the first seven games.

The 22-year-old’s .308 free throw rate (number of FT attempts per FG attempt) would be a career-high by a wide margin and his 49.6 percent shooting on two-pointers would rank a close second to his 50.2 percent in the 2017-18 season. Much of this impressive two-point shooting has come around the rim, where Murray is posting career-highs in field-goal percentage from within three feet of the rim (63.2 percent) and from within three and 10 feet of the rim (46.7 percent).

Murray has always had impressive balance and strength when getting off contested shots around the rim, and this season has been no different.

As a career 36.2 percent 3-point shooter, Murray will likely have more success from beyond the arc as the season develops. If that improvement is coupled with a more aggressive approach when driving to the rim, Murray is poised for the best scoring season of his career.

Although the Nuggets are known more for their elite offense, it has been the team’s defense that has led the charge early in the season for the second year in a row. Denver ranks 11th on that end of the floor (excluding garbage time), which has been a result of a balanced approach on that end of the floor.

Denver ranks 16th or higher in each of the defensive four factors: eighth in opponent effective field goal percentage, 13th in opponent turnover percentage, 16th in opponent offensive rebound percentage and 15th in opponent free throw rate.

Against the Heat Tuesday, Denver put together a defensive clinic, especially in the second and third quarters as the game was effectively decided. The Nuggets were aggressive in challenging shots around the rim and were active in the passing lanes, which led to just 21 Miami points in the third frame.

“They played well defensively-this is a good defensive team as well. They’re well-schooled and well-drilled,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said following the game.

Denver’s starting lineup has thrived on the defensive end to start the year. In the 98 minutes that unit has shared the floor together, it has posted a defensive rating of just 91.1, which ranks second in the league among lineups that have played at least 50 minutes this season. As Jerami Grant continues to adjust to Denver’s defensive scheme, his athleticism and shot blocking will be another boost to that end of the floor throughout the grind of the regular season.

While many expected to see the offense sprint out of the gates given the roster continuity, it has been the other end of the floor that has impressed and led to the 5-2 start for the Nuggets.

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Denver Nuggets Friday Film Study: Early season observations

Three-point shooting can be one of the great deciding factors in a basketball game. On Wednesday, it was the Nuggets’ hot shooting from beyond the arc that propelled them to a 108-100 win against the Portland Trail Blazers, despite the fact Denver had 19 turnovers and shot just 34.7 percent on two-pointers.

On Media Day, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone emphasized his desire to see the offense take and knock down more triples in the 2019-20 season.

“We want to generate more quality looks from the 3-point line,” Malone said on Media Day. “We took around 32 threes a game last year and I’d like to take that up to 36, 37 attempts per game while making sure they are still quality threes. Our 3-point shooting took a big step back last year. Two years ago, we were at 37.1 percent. This past year, we dropped down to 35.1 percent. And the way the league is going, we want to be a lot more efficient from the 3-point line.”

Denver struggled from deep during four preseason games (just 30.4 percent on 28 attempts per game), but Malone’s vision for the offense was on full display in Wednesday’s season-opening win.

While Malone stressed the importance of incorporating more 3-point shots into the offense, he also pointed out that those threes must still be quality attempts, with the goal being to generate them in drive-and-kick situations (termed “paint threes” since the idea is to drive the ball into the paint and then kick out to the perimeter).

Ultimately, Denver shot 18 of 32 from beyond the arc in the win, with several of those 3-pointers coming off drive-and-kick situations. The 18 3-pointers marked a franchise record for the most in a Nuggets season opener. Portland started two ground-bound big men in Zach Collins and Hassan Whiteside, which allowed Denver’s forwards to space the floor and get room to let it fly. Paul Millsap and Jerami Grant shot a combined 5 of 6 from three Wednesday.

As seen in the video below, Mason Plumlee found shooters after attacking the basket. To catch the defense off guard, Plumlee tends to jump as if he is going to shoot, before ultimately firing a pass to an open shooter on the perimeter.

During a key stretch of the fourth quarter, Nikola Jokić (who shot 3 of 5 from deep himself) got a step on Whiteside, before he decided to turn around and whip a pass to Jamal Murray, who was wide-open in the corner after Kent Bazemore over-committed to helping Whiteside. Jokić very easily could have attempted a layup but felt Whiteside’s presence (and length) behind him and understood that Bazemore was likely to provide help defense in the paint, thus opening up Murray for the 3-pointer.

Now, the Nuggets certainly won’t shoot 56.3 percent from three every night, but they can certainly generate quality 3-point looks on a consistent basis if players aggressively drive to the rim and keep their heads up to find the open shooter. The other end of the equation is that shooters must step into their shots and shoot without hesitation, which is exactly what happened in Portland Wednesday.

Looking at the big picture, Denver’s 31.4 attempts per game ranked 16th in the league last season. An increase to 36 or 37 attempts per game would place the Nuggets in the top five of the league based on last season’s numbers. While shooting more threes may help the offense space the floor even more for Jokić and the guards on the floor, an improvement in 3-point percentage would be even more valuable.

Denver’s 35.1 percent last season placed them 17th in the league, which was a sharp drop from their 37.1 percent clip during the 2017-18 season. If Denver can increase the number of 3-point attempts while also knocking them down at a higher clip, the offense is poised to jump back into the top five this upcoming season.

"We want to be more aggressive on 3-point shots," Paul Millsap explained following the win. "We have a lot of guys who can shoot it well. It will open up a lot of things for us."

On that front, the Nuggets are off to a great start.

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Denver Nuggets Friday Film Study: 3-point shooting

The preseason has officially come and gone. Now it’s time for the real thing. In five days, the Denver Nuggets will open up the 2019-20 regular season against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 23rd.  The game will kick off a campaign in which Denver hopes to build on the success it achieved in the 2018-19 campaign.

Preseason games must be taken with a grain of salt. However, the preseason did provide four games of offensive sets, defensive execution and personal brilliance from select players, so let’s take a closer look at three intriguing aspects of the Nuggets’ preseason games in this week’s film study.

Michael Porter Jr. showcased his smooth game

Heading into the preseason, all eyes were on Porter Jr. as he was set to make his NBA debut following his recovery from previous back injuries. Given all the anticipation surrounding his debut, the 21-year-old forward certainly didn’t disappoint.

Through his first three games, Porter Jr. averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 62.5 percent shooting from the field. Time and time again Porter Jr. showed how he can fit in Denver’s offense as both an off-ball player and with the ball in his hands. His size allows him to get shots off over smaller defenders, while it can also help him on the boards.

In the first play above, Porter Jr. uses his size and footwork to get off a step-back jumper after handling the ball for a couple of seconds, while in subsequent plays he showcases his ability to read the floor and make timely cuts toward the rim for easy dunks.

While defense will continue to be a work in progress for the rookie, his length will allow him to block shots from slower forwards attacking the rim. “No matter what group he (Porter Jr.) is in or what part of the game he's in, he's shown he belongs out there," Michael Malone said following Denver’s third preseason victory. "Michael has had three great preseason games and it’s great to see."

With his ability to knock down catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, Porter Jr. should thrive in Denver’s offense, which is driven by player and ball movement. If provided with consistent minutes off the bench this season, Porter Jr. should add another dynamic element to Denver’s second-unit offense.

We had written about Jerami Grant’s potential fit with the Nuggets several times ahead of preseason, but now there is actual game film to analyze. What that film confirms is the overwhelming majority opinion that Grant is going to fit in seamlessly on both ends of the floor with this Nuggets team.

Grant’s 3-point shooting and defensive versatility stood out in the preseason. Through his first three games as a Nugget, the 25-year-old forward averaged 13.7 points per game on 54.5/60/91.7 shooting splits.

Denver’s marquee offseason addition looked comfortably taking 3-pointers out of pick-and-pop situations, while his effective screens opened up driving lanes for Denver’s guards. After he set a career-high in 3-point percentage and attempts last season (39.2 percent on 3.7 attempts per game), Grant appears ready to improve on those numbers in Denver’s offense.

However, the defensive end was always going to be Grant’s calling card, and he certainly hasn’t disappointed on that end of the floor so far. While Paul Millsap provides a stabilizing veteran presence and a big body to guard physical forwards, Grant’s quickness and length makes him a menace in the passing lanes or as a rim protector.

“Yeah, I would say defense is the strength of my game,” Grant said at Media Day. “I think that was the reason why I got into the league and now I’ve been trying to expand my game from that. I definitely think to be a great team you need to have a great defense.”

Grant has averaged at least one block per game in each of his five seasons in the league, including 1.3 per game during the 2018-19 campaign. As he showed in Denver’s opening preseason game, he can rotate over to defend the rim, using his wingspan to block shots and start transition opportunities.

As Denver looks to have a championship-mindset, Grant provides Malone with a great option to spell Paul Millsap at the four position. Now when Millsap rests or simply sees a reduction in minutes, Denver won’t be losing out on the defensive end, while Grant’s off-ball offense (3-point shooting, cuts to the rim) will fit in with the rest of the starters.

On the offensive side of the ball, the preseason has presented an opportunity for new players to fit in and for returning players to round into regular-season form. Heading into training camp, Malone emphasized his desire for the offense to shoot more 3-pointers this season.

Throughout the preseason, the number of 3-point attempts dropped from last season’s average, although the percentage of shots at the rim has increased significantly (from 35.3 percent of shots in 2018-19 to 38.7 percent during the preseason).

Look for the offense to settle in and emphasize the importance of generating quality 3-pointers out of drive-and-kick situations.

Another aspect of the Nuggets’ offense that will likely evolve this season is the team’s pace of play. After ranking 26th in the league last season in pace, the Nuggets were in the middle of the pack throughout the preseason. With the addition of Jerami Grant to the second unit, look for that group to run in transition this season.

Throughout the preseason there were several examples of how pushing the ball up the floor in transition can lead to easy scoring opportunities. Against Phoenix, a live-ball turnover led to an easy 3-point opportunity for Porter Jr.

Denver’s ball and player movement will continue to be the backbone of the offense, and there were several examples of how deadly it can be in the preseason. In the opening scoring possession against the Suns, the Nuggets spaced the floor incredibly well, including Grant’s occupation of the dunker spot (the two areas just outside the paint along the baseline).

As Gary Harris and Nikola Jokić initiate the handoff action, Grant makes a timely cut across the paint to open up a driving lane for Harris, who finishes with a reverse layup. The amount of 3-point shooting on the floor opened up the paint, while Grant drew the attention of the defender closest to the basket. Given the amount of shooting and quality playmaking on Denver’s roster, the offense should return to top-five levels of production as the turnovers continue to decrease in the coming games.

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Denver Nuggets Friday Film Study: Preseason review

Denver Nuggets point guard Monte Morris was selected with the 51st pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. After four years at Iowa State University, he played in just three games during his rookie campaign while on a two-way contract. Heading into the 2018-19 season, the Nuggets converted his contract to a fully-guaranteed deal. Although the team added veteran Isaiah Thomas to the point guard group to create some competition for the backup spot behind Jamal Murray, Morris was given the opportunity to be the team’s backup as Thomas recovered from previous injuries.

Morris seized an opportunity presented to him and showcased his dependable play from the point-guard spot. The 24-year-old guard did exactly what he needed to do to be effective as both an on-ball initiator of the offense and an off-ball support player, which is exactly what he did in college.

Across his four years at Iowa State, Morris set the NCAA record for assist-to-turnover ratio at 4.65. Furthermore, Morris has four of the top seven single-season assist-to-turnover ratios that have been recorded by the NCAA (the data goes back to 2008).

“Coach Malone usually tries to run plays that I’m more comfortable with and that fit me, so it allows me to show off my skills,” Morris said during an appearance on the Nuggets 24K podcast back in November. “He always tries to put me in a position where I have to read a single guy and find the lob or the open shooter. He lets me play downhill and play free, so I give a lot of credit to him for doing that.”

Earlier this week, Morris spoke to Nuggets.com about his summer training and broke down some of his assists from the past season. In the video below, he explains his thought process when a play is unfolding, going through alley-oop lobs to Mason Plumlee, passes to corner shooters, and more traditional pick-and-roll plays.

“For him to come in as the backup point guard, which was a role people questioned coming into the season, I don't think there are any questions about it now and that's all because of how he played,” Will Barton said in his end-of-the-season availability. “How he ran the team, never turned the ball over, he was steady the whole year. To have a young guy like that in his first season, that's big time.”

While the recognition from national media and highlight packages wasn’t always there due to Morris’ focus on making the smart play at all times rather than look for the flashy pass, the Nuggets benefitted tremendously from his steady hand. You won’t see Morris attempting many no-look, behind-the-back passes. Instead, he will methodically breakdown a defense to find an open shooter or a big man around the rim.

“I go out there to just play basketball. I don’t try to do anything too flashy,” Morris said on the Nuggets 24k podcast. “I do what the defense tells me to do. Growing up I had friends always trying to make the flashy play. My mom was a point guard, so she kept telling me to look for the simple play.  She told me to focus on the meat and potatoes. The more possessions we have without a turnover, the more chances we have to score.”

In the end, Morris averaged 10.4 points and 3.6 assists per game in 24 minutes per game, as he played in all 82 regular-season contests. As a starter in six games, Morris’ numbers increased to 15 points, 5.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game, and he connected on 55.4 percent of his shot attempts (including 43.5 percent from three). Per-36 minutes, Morris averaged 5.4 assists to just one turnover.

Furthermore, when Morris was on the court this past season, Denver’s team turnover percentage dropped by two percent, which placed Morris in the 92nd percentile for his position.

Given the importance of bringing the ball up the floor and initiating the offense as the point guard, Morris’ ability to read the defense, make every type of pass and limit his turnovers is crucial for Denver’s second unit. As seen in the video below (which only included Morris’ first 22 games of the 2018-19 season), the former second-round pick can make any and every pass on the floor.

Morris and Plumlee quickly formed a connection on the second unit and proceeded to terrorize opposing defenses with their pick-and-roll combination, which often ended with an alley-oop. In the below video, Morris uses his craftiness to manipulate the defense before throwing the lob pass, while Plumlee provides a nice big throwing target on the receiving end.

"I'm never really watching the guy that's guarding me,” Morris told Nuggets.com. “I'm more focused on the second guy or the third guy, the guy guarding the pick-and-roll or the weakside defender. I just go off of that and that shows me where to put the ball."

Often times, a situation may involve delaying the pass or faking a shot attempt to trick the opposing big man into leaving his defensive position around the rim, thus opening up the path for the alley-oop.

With Jerami Grant being added to the second unit, Morris will have another athletic, above-the-rim big man to throw lobs to.

"Jerami can bring (a lot of) the same things (that Mason can) but he can also shoot it really well,” Morris said. “He's also a lob threat, so he can get out in transition, run the lane and we can get some good lobs with him. With him, Mason and Malik, I think it'll be big time. I'm happy he's here because he can add another dimension to our game."

Another key pass for Morris is his ability to find open shooters after a pick-and-roll or drive to the rim unfolds. One of the key aspects of breaking down a defense is reading the off-ball and weakside defenders. Whether it is taking advantage of a defensive miscommunication or firing a quick pass to the corner shooter, Morris is always aware of where his teammates, and perhaps more importantly, where the defenders are on the floor during a given possession.

With the role that the 3-point shot has in the modern NBA offense, having a point guard that can initiate a pick-and-roll and survey the defense before firing a pass to an open shooter does wonders for the offense. Given the defensive attention that the Morris-Plumlee pick-and-roll attack generates, off-ball shooters such as Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez were able to capitalize in the second unit. During the 2019-20 season, that same opportunities should be presented to Michael Porter Jr. and Jerami Grant, with many of them created by Morris’ handling of the offense.

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Denver Nuggets Friday Film Study: Monte Morris’ playmaking

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