The Missing Link

Monte Morris is what we were missing last year.

Full disclosure, I am not well versed in the NBA like some. I never player, and until the past three years I have only sort of payed attention. I have been preoccupied by the other team from Denver like most Colorado born sports fans. That said, this has been a great start to the year. This is the most fun I have had watching the Nuggs since the WCF run with Melo.

A big reason this season has been going off so well is Morris. A huge surprise so far this season, and one most welcome.

Before we deep dive into some statistics, I want to write down what I have seen from this team with just my eyes. Monte is the real deal. Outside of lineups with The Joker (Nikola Jokic), Jamal Murray and Gary Harris look best next to Morris not each other. I love the energy, the handle, and the attack that Morris brings. He sees the court well, anticipates and moves with urgency. He makes up for his lack of size on defense with quick hands and relentless pressure. Outside of The Joker himself, Morris is hands down the best passer on the team thus far this season.

He looks like the best true PG on the team.

Murray may be a star in the making but he is not a true PG, he lacks the offensive anticipation, and far too often misses Jokic on the roll. Not to mention some… head scratch inducing passes leading to turnovers. While all of these skills have improved since his rookie year, and his ceiling is likely far grater than Morris’ own, he lacks some skills needed by players in the point.

However, these issues are often covered up by Jokic being Jokic. When Jokic is off, the offense gets clunky, it feels slow and plodding in the half court. This game against the Grizz being a prime example.

Not to be an alarmist but I see games like this coming now teams are starting to plan for Jokic on the defensive side, they hassle him and get in his head early. Piss him off and it take him out of the game. The Grizz just gave the blueprint, even if few have the defensive chops to pull it off. Jokic’s biggest flaw is he is soft and pouty. You can get in his head.

I wrote all of this without looking at the stats, so lets see how the numbers bear it out.

When averaged at per 36 minutes only Jokic and the gangly rookie Thomas Welsh get more assists than Morris’ 5.8. Murray has 4.1. Morris also averages a paltry 0.8 turn overs per 36; compared to Murray’s 2.2. Sure, you lose your scoring punch with Murray off the floor, but Murray and Morris run well together as well. Regardless, the minutes still need to be split. I am not calling for Morris to start, just admiring how he improves the team.

Let’s deep dive some lineup stats.

First up Two-Man line ups with the guards.

Now Three man with Jokic.

Based on the stats we can see that Murray, Harris, and Jokic belong together. These three can push the pace and space the floor with any big 3 in the league. When they click its beautiful; when they don’t the defense is still solid. These guys will keep us in any and every game this year.

However, with I.T. in recovery, Morris has needed to step up to the challenge of 21.5 minutes per game. Admittedly the sample size is small yet, but the trend is looking very positive for our back court.