Denver Stiffs - StoryStream: Latest NBA Draft News and Rumors

Pickaxe Podcast: Jamal Murray & the new Nuggets

2016-06-24T15:48:25-06:00

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The Pickaxe Podcast returns with in-depth discussions on the newest members of the Denver Nuggets.

As the dust settles on an action packed NBA Draft night, we take a closer look at the results of the NBA Draft and what this draft means for the Denver Nuggets going forward. Jamal Murray has superstar potential and will be joining Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris in what was already one of the most promising young back courts in the NBA.

We also discussed Juancho Hernangomez, Malik Beasley, and the direction of the team after last night's draft. Lots of fun and interesting discussion in this one. Check it out and be sure to subscribe on itunes.

Timestamps:

3:00 - Jamal Murray, Nuggets shooting, and playing through Jokic and Gallo now that there is more shooting on the roster.

13:45 - Juancho, and whether he has the coolest name in Nuggets history?

20:30 - What kind of player will Malik Beasley be in the NBA?

25:00 - What does this mean for Will Barton?

28:30 - Is Jameer Nelson even more important now?

32:00 - The competition for back court minutes,

35:00 - Does this mean Gallo and Chandler aren't going anywhere?

38:00 - Who is the face of the future of the Nuggets?

48:00 - Draft days surprises

55:00 - Ranking the potential of the Northwest division teams

5 things to know about Nuggets draft pick Malik Beasley

2016-06-23T23:07:52-06:00

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida State Seminole freshman was the third first round pick by the Denver Nuggets, here's a quick introduction to know one of the newest Nuggets a little bit better.

Malik Beasley was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, becoming the first Florida State Seminole selected in the lottery since Al Thornton in 2007.

The 6-foot-5 wing had surgery after the season for a stress fracture in his right leg, having a metal rod inserted to help him deal with the injury. The Georgia native entered the draft after one season, and should be an exciting part of the Nuggets future. Here are five things to know about one of the newest Nuggets.

His grandpa was in Rudy

Malik's grandpa, John Beasley, is quite the thespian. He played The Rock's father in "Walking Tall," a general in "Sum of All Fears," and was Coach Warren in "Rudy." Malik's father, Michael, is an actor himself, with a recurring role in "Bloodline."

If Nuggets players break huddles with a "This one's for Rudy" chant, I will die.

Beasley's jumper is sweet as candy

Beasley was quite the sharpshooter for the Seminoles. Before a slump in February, Beasley was the only guard in the country with a per 40 minutes average of more than 20 points while shooting 55 percent on field goal attempts and 40 percent on 3-point attempts.

What I like about his shot chart is his ability to knock down jumpers from the top of the key and the right corner. The Nuggets have a big man that can kick the ball out from the post and a point guard that can thread passes to the corner - now they have another guy that can light up the scoreboard from distance.

He has a great work ethic

Beasley worked through an injury to finish the season out, choosing to have surgery in the offseason. His high school coach at Alpharetta St. Francis High in Georgia, Drew Catlett, praised Beasley for his desire to improve.

"He may be the hardest worker I've had in 30 years," Catlett said. "He would bring an assistant [coach] with him to the gym and make 500 shots in the afternoon as a senior."

After a tough February, Beasley finished the season strong, shooting 49.5 percent from the field to end with a 47 percent mark on the season. While he wasn't the biggest fish in the pond at Florida State, he put in the effort to be an impact player.

He's amibitious

Every player has a professional they look to pattern their game after. When asked which player he tries to model his game after, Beasley didn't single out one player.

"I look up to everybody. LeBron James for his physical ability, Kobe Bryant for his mental game, Chris Paul for his handles, Stephen Curry for his shot, and Michael Jordan for his overall game!"

Alright, young fella, that's a pretty elite group. Being as good as one of those players would be a huge win for the Nuggets.

He's Brandon Ingram's father

Not biologically, of course, that's impossible. But after a massive dunk during ACC play, the rules of the game dictate that Ingram has to bring him Hi-C juice boxes and orange slices during halftime when they play each other. It's in the official unwritten rules of basketball.

Get in his poster!

5 things to know about Nuggets draft pick Juan Hernangomez

2016-06-23T23:07:44-06:00

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets selected Juan Hernangomez with the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, making the Spanish forward one of the newest members of the Denver Nuggets. Here's a few things to know about Hernangomez to introduce him to the best fans in the NBA.

The Denver Nuggets picked the Spanish forward Juancho Hernangomez with the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, adding another player to their roster that has an ability to make outside shots.

While it is likely that Hernangomez does not play for the Nuggets this upcoming season, he should continue to develop his ability to rebound and shoot from the perimeter. Here are a few things to know about one of the newest Denver Nuggets.

His brother was drafted by the New York Knicks

The number of people that successfully make it to the NBA are few, and the number of NBA players that are siblings is even fewer. Juan's older brother, Guillermo "Willy" Hernangomez, was selected with the 35th overall pick in the 2015 draft, and signed with the Knickerboxers.

Willy played for Cajasol Sevilla in Spain with another 2015 draft pick by the Knicks - Kristaps Porzingis.

Basketball runs in his families veins, with his father playing professionally in the 1980s, and his sister plays in Spain as well.

He's no pasty

Hernangomez played center for Estudiantes, anchoring the post for his team in one of the best international leagues in the world. That meant that he was playing out of position, as his body is more of a stretch-four or small forward in the NBA. But it did allow him to learn how to be physical, and he responded by putting up good rebounding numbers. He had per 40 minutes averages of 16.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Hernangomez wasn't much of a shot blocker, and Estudiantes defense was below average in the league. But with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic or Jusuf Nurkic should be patrolling the paint for him, which will allow him to use his speed to help mark players on the perimeter rather than provide rim protection and help defense.

How do you say "Buckets" in Spanish?

Hernangomez was drafted to help the Nuggets space the floor from the power forward position. He's a very good pick and pop player, with the strength to set screens and the footwork to leap open for a jump shot. He projects to be about a 35 percent shooter on 3-point attempts in the NBA, which should be a good enough rate to make defenders stay out of the paint and honor his jumper.

If the defense is able to close out on him, he's shown an ability to attack the rim, draw contact, and get to the free throw line. As a threat to shoot, drive, and pass from the perimeter, he should be a good scoring option for the Nuggets.

Get on the floor

It may be something about having a lot of family members that will rib him for not playing hard, but Hernangomez has a great motor when he plays. He hustles for loose balls, scraps for rebounds, and goes 100 kilometers per hour when he plays.

That hustle also shows up on defense. He played out of position, as mentioned earlier, but he didn't allow that to distract him during games. He was alert, did what he was asked and a little more. I'm sure that will be appealing to Michael Malone, who is known to enjoy having hustle players that compete on both ends on his team.

Statistical projections love him

Kevin Pelton, an ESPN contributor, has published a "Stats Big Board" for the last few years, attempting to project how prospects will perform once they reach the NBA. In this year's edition, Hernangomez was the 4th-best prospect in Pelton's projections. While it's not an exact science, perhaps the contributions of Layne Vashro and the Nuggets statistical department helped with this selection.

5 things to know about the Nuggets draft pick Jamal Murray

2016-06-23T23:01:53-06:00

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

With their first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Nuggets selected the freshman guard from Kentucky, Jamal Murray. Here are five things to know about one of the newest Denver Nuggets.

In an astonishing turn of events, the Denver Nuggets selected Jamal Murray, a 19-year-old guard from Canada, with the 7th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

The former Kentucky Wildcat declared for the draft after one season at Kentucky, where he showed off an ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways for Big Blue.

He is an exciting prospect, and should help the Nuggets take the next step towards becoming contenders in the league. Here's five things to know about one of the newest Denver Nuggets.

Murray and Mudiay are a dynamic duo

Every year, Nike hosts a hoops summit, inviting players from the United States and international players to come to Portland to work with coaches and compete against each other. In 2014, it was the first time that Nikola Jokic and Emmanuel Mudiay were able to play together, as the two teamed up together on the international squad.

The US squad won that matchup, with the help of players like Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Kelly Oubre and Tyus Jones. But the international squad's two leading scorers were ... drumroll .... Mudiay and Jamal Murray. Murray had 10 points, but showed off his ballhandling, athleticism, and outside shooting at the summit.

Murray would return the next year, and scorched the competition for 30 points in the scrimmage, but apparently Tim Connelly didn't forget how nice it was to watch those two players team up in the backcourt.

He has a great signature celebration

It's a move that Wes Matthews Jr. uses, but the bow and arrow celebration is awesome. After a made 3-pointer, Murray will pull an arrow from the imaginary quiver on his back, draw and fire at the bench. The Nuggets bench had some great chemistry this season, frequently celebrating with their on-court teammates in support from the sidelines, and with a sharpshooter with a flair for performance on the roster, I expect many great moments at games. Go to games at the Pepsi Center or on the road to watch Murray and his teammates have fun together on the court - it'll be worth the price of admission.

Jamal Murray can fly

No, I'm serious, I think he has figured out how to defy gravity and soar through the air like a bird.

Yup, pretty sure that qualifies as flight.

He cares about winning - a lot

Kentucky's run in the NCAA tournament ended quickly, with an upset loss to the Indiana Hoosiers on the first weekend. Sure, Kentucky beat Stony Brook, and a 4/5 upset isn't much of an upset, but Kentucky was a team that had serious hopes in the tournament, and they knew they could do more than they accomplished.

Murray missed eight of nine 3-point attempts in the game, and afterwards, was emotional when discussing how he felt he did in the game. It's nice to see a player that cares so much about the game, and was so invested in success that he was overcome by defeat. Hopefully Murray puts in the work and preparation so that the Nuggets don't have to experience losing very often with him on the roster.

Meditation and kung fun help him prepare for games

Murray's father, Roger, introduced his son to kung fu and meditation when he was a small child. Now it's a part of his routine, and he meditates before and after games.

"The kung fu (built) mental toughness and then, the kung fu and meditation, we went over different scenarios and different situations," Jamal said. "That led to me being more relaxed in the game and seeing things slower.

"Now I have a resting heartbeat of 34 beats per minute, so it just kind of slowed my body down and made me think clearer."

34 beats per minute is insane. Take your pulse - odds are you're above 60. Murray, even after games, can get his heart rate down to half that.

For a player that will have high expectations on him as early as his first game, the ability to withdraw from the world, center himself, and mentally digest everything around him should help separate him from his peers.

Murray shoots fire arrows

If you're going to shoot arrows after made 3-pointers, you had better be knocking them down at a consistent rate. He didn't accidentally shoot over 50 percent this season on his way to 20 points per game for Kentucky.

It doesn't matter if a defender has a hand in his face, is stuck on a screen, or got shook on a crossover - Murray is going to be able to get off a 3-pointer and bury it. Arrows.

While he is capable of handling the ball, Kentucky played him off-ball and let Tyler Ulis feed him passes for lots of points. While he's not Eric Bledsoe, Murray showed an ability to attack closeouts, get into the paint, and finish above the rim. Defenders have to respect his ability to pull up and score at any moment, so he's able to get cleaner looks at the rim.

He's going to score so many points. SO MANY POINTS.

Nuggets draft shooter Malik Beasley

2016-06-23T19:59:28-06:00

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Nuggets select another sharp shooting wing with the 19th pick.

It's clear that the Nuggets were targeting shooting in this year's NBA draft. With the 19th pick, The Denver Nuggets selected Malik Beasley. Beasley was one of the dark horse candidates in this year's draft, loved by many as a sleeper pick. It is the 2nd sharp shooter that the Nuggets have taken in this draft, behind Jamal Murray who was selected by the Nuggets with the 7th pick.

At 6-feet, 5-inches, Beasley has the height to compliment his silky soft shooting stroke. Malik shot 38.7% from behind the arc in his freshmen season at Florida State. He is also a terrific slasher and hustle guy. He has a textbook jump shot which helped him score over 15 points per game as a freshmen, the 2nd highest ppg total for a freshmen in FSU history. Despite his high scoring, Beasley also has patience on offense and plays within himself.

Beasley creates a bit of a logjam at shooting guard with Gary Harris, Will Barton, and Murray all competing for minutes at that position. It should make for an exciting summer league, training camp, and season.

Quotes

On how he'll work out on Denver's roster - "just compete every day, work hard and whatever Coach wants me to do, I'll do it. It's time to get to business."

On whether he has a relationship with anyone on the team - "Not really. I know a few guys by name but nothing serious."

On whether he's worried about getting time with the Nuggets also drafting Jamal Murray - "Not really, I'm still going to work hard, compete against him. We're friends and we're going to work hard together to get Denver back on again."

On adjusting to Denver's thin air - "I've got to, it's the only way to do it."

Nuggets select Juan Hernangomez with #15 pick

2016-06-23T19:26:02-06:00

Boris Streubel/Getty Images

Denver taps back into the Euro pool at #15

Despite Deyonta Davis still being on the board the Denver Nuggets have elected to go with a prime draft and stash player in Juancho Hernangomez out of Spain. Denver was very high on Hernangomez and brought him in for a pre-draft workout. Gomez is a solid shooting big man who has excellent face up ability and a well rounded game. Originally an entrant in the 2015 draft, Hernangomez did himself a big favor by withdrawing his name and waiting one more year. After putting up production that rivals the greatest players to ever play for Movistar Estudiantes in the ACB, Hernangomez went from fringe second round pick in 2015 to a solid first rounder in 2016.

Fran Fraschilla of ESPN has stated that HernanGomez is the most NBA ready prospect among the mid first round European prospects but also believes that he will not be a draft and stash player and should be ready to contribute to the Nuggets right away. It makes sense because Juancho is a well rounded stretch four who can play in the pick and roll, shoot at a high efficiency (35% from three last season) and also finish above the rim. Defensively there are questions about Hernangomez's ability but not about his effort as he is supposed to be one of the highest motor guys in the draft. He should fit right in with the Nuggets other Euro bigs Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic, Joffrey Lauvergne and Danilo Gallinari.

Spoke with Denver Nuggets draftee Juan Hernangomez (#15). Told me nothing concrete, but is very open to being stashed for a year in Europe.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2016

Quotes

On staying in Europe vs. coming straight to the NBA:

I want to keep working and I don't know where. For me if I got any possibilities to go to NBA with Denver, I got it. I love Denver. Thank you for the team.

Are you excited to be coming over with your careers together in the States?

Yeah, of course! You know, when we was child, we dreaming about the NBA. If this year we can play together, it's a dream come true. So rally, yeah, I'm really excited.

Murray fills out an NBA job application

2016-06-23T19:15:03-06:00

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Player's Tribune had Jamal Murray fill out an NBA job application. It provides a look into the mind of the Blue Arrow.

Jamal Murray's Application

Get hyped, Denver!

Serge Ibaka traded to the Magic

2016-06-23T18:57:49-06:00

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The trades are coming in hot!

According to The Vertical Serge Ibaka is being traded to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Eryan Ilyasova.

For the Nuggets this is somewhat troublesome, pairing Oladipo and Russell Westbrook together makes OKC have possibly the fastest backcourt in the entire league, plus they add a guy Denver was rumored to have interest in by getting Domantas Sabonis. Here's hoping that Kevin Durant is going to leave because otherwise the Thunder look like a team poised to sit atop the Northwest division for years to come. Additionally, the Nuggets took Jamal Murray with the #7 overall pick and while Murray is an excellent shooter, his perimeter defense leaves a lot to be desired and the idea of him having to defend Westbrook or Oladipo for extended minutes is rather scary. Hopefully the Nuggets shore up their defense as the night progresses or they may have trouble with the Thunder for a long time.