Although continuity is key for teams with championship aspirations, the Denver Nuggets were unable to re-sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, their starting shooting guard since their 2022 title run.
They did sign 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, who turns 36 in November. If comparing names rather than games, it would seem like Denver made out like bandits. Yet, there’s still a lot of question about how much Westbrook can play alongside the starters because of his play style and weaknesses. There’s a reason that Caldwell-Pope has two championship rings to Westbrook’s zero despite the latter being the better player all-time.
With that in mind, Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr.’s assessment of what the team is missing without Caldwell-Pope is worth hearing.
“I think we’ve got a lot of players that, they like to get to the midrange, they like to get to the rim,” Porter says, per The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando. “So we know in this day and age, teams score a lot of points when they get some threes up. So I don’t have my partner in crime, KCP. He was kind of a volume shooter last year. So we don’t have any really volume three-point shooters.
“I think Jamal (Murray), he’ll shoot some threes, but he likes to get to the middy. Joker (Nikola Jokic) should probably take a couple more per game. But I know it’s gonna be up to me and Julian (Strawther) to really be the volume 3-point shooters.”
Does Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. See Julian Strawther As Starter?
Porter’s comments are illuminating but that’s to be expected when he takes the podium. Team leader Nikola Jokic is candid when he speaks to the media but doesn’t go against the grain. Gregarious veteran Aaron Gordon is a delightful guy who is constantly talking up Jokic. Head coach Michael Malone is mix of Jokic and Malone, but he also loves a good soundbite.
Meanwhile, Porter just calls it like he’s sees it, whether he’s supposed to actually say it or not. Over the years, he’s been critical of his opportunities within the offense. In a similar vein, he’s decried the offense’s lack of diversity. In so many words, he’s said that Malone is over-reliant on Jokic’s greatness and his two-man game with Jamal Murray.
Now, in discussing what the Nuggets are missing without Caldwell-Pope, he’s drawn a parallel between his former “partner in crime” and Julian Strawther rather than Christian Braun. Reading between the lines, Porter might believe Strawther fits the first unit better.
Of course, Porter isn’t getting paid to put together a championship-contender. Malone and Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth are. Yet, as the proverbial man in the arena, Porter’s assessment should hold at least some weight. Especially after starting the last games of his career.
Should Julian Strawther Start?
As for the merits of Porter’s mentality, Strawther is undoubtedly a more dynamic offensive player than Braun at this point of their careers.
He’s shiftier, has softer touch, and attempts a higher volume of shots. He’s capable of scoring on and off the ball. Frankly, it’s not just the fact that he could probably match Caldwell-Pope’s three-point volume and efficiency. After seeing how Murray struggles against the Minnesota Timberwolves’ ball pressure in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, it’s obvious that the Nuggets need an additional ball-handler.
Because neither Jokic nor Gordon are rim-protectors, there’s more pressure on the perimeter defense. That being said, Braun’s length and defensive presence seem to be the reason that Malone has leaned towards him.
However, Caldwell-Pope is only 6-foot-5 and was an elite defender. Strawther doesn’t have Caldwell-Pope’s technique or strength. He isn’t a defensive specialist by any means. Nonetheless, he’s 6-foot-7 (even taller than Braun) and tries hard to make a stop.
Fair Is Fair
Malone probably won’t change his mind about the starters anytime soon. That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t though, especially after making it seem like Strawther could win a starting spot by outplaying Braun in the preseason. To that point, Strawther completely outshined his teammate. Yet, he’s the one that’ll be coming off the bench.
Julian Strawther was a MACHINE for the @nuggets in #NBAPreseason! 🔥
The former @NBAGrandRapids assignee averaged a team-leading 18.8 PPG on 53% FG and 50% 3PT. pic.twitter.com/dwH4pNapGi
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) October 22, 2024
Life isn’t fair, but a head coach should be.
