{"id":102443,"date":"2024-10-22T09:18:11","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T13:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=102443"},"modified":"2024-10-22T11:34:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T15:34:48","slug":"nuggets-does-michael-porter-jr-see-julian-strawther-as-starter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/22\/nuggets-does-michael-porter-jr-see-julian-strawther-as-starter\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Nuggets\u2019 Michael Porter Jr. See Julian Strawther As Starter?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although continuity is key for teams with championship aspirations, the Denver Nuggets were unable to re-sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/a>, their starting shooting guard since their 2022 title run.<\/p>\n

They did sign 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook<\/a>, who turns 36 in November. If comparing names rather than games, it would seem like Denver made out like bandits<\/a>. Yet, there\u2019s still a lot of question about how much Westbrook can play alongside the starters because of his play style and weaknesses. There\u2019s a reason that Caldwell-Pope has two championship rings to Westbrook\u2019s zero despite the latter being the better player all-time.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr.\u2019s assessment of what the team is missing<\/a> without Caldwell-Pope is worth hearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019ve got a lot of players that, they like to get to the midrange, they like to get to the rim,\u201d Porter says, per The Denver Post\u2019s Bennett Durando. \u201cSo we know in this day and age, teams score a lot of points when they get some threes up. So I don\u2019t have my partner in crime, KCP. He was kind of a volume shooter last year. So we don\u2019t have any really volume three-point shooters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Jamal (Murray), he\u2019ll 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\u2019s gonna be up to me and Julian (Strawther) to really be the volume 3-point shooters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does Nuggets\u2019 Michael Porter Jr. See Julian Strawther As Starter?<\/h2>\n

Porter\u2019s comments are illuminating but that\u2019s to be expected when he takes the podium. Team leader Nikola Jokic<\/a> is candid when he speaks to the media but doesn\u2019t go against the grain. Gregarious veteran Aaron Gordon<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Porter just calls it like he\u2019s sees it, whether he\u2019s supposed to actually say it or not. Over the years, he\u2019s been critical of his opportunities within the offense. In a similar vein, he\u2019s decried the offense\u2019s lack of diversity. In so many words, he\u2019s said that Malone is over-reliant on Jokic\u2019s greatness and his two-man game with Jamal Murray<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, in discussing what the Nuggets are missing without Caldwell-Pope, he\u2019s drawn a parallel between his former \u201cpartner in crime\u201d and Julian Strawther<\/a> rather than Christian Braun<\/a>. Reading between the lines, Porter might believe Strawther fits the first unit better.<\/p>\n

Of course, Porter isn\u2019t 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\u2019s assessment should hold at least some weight. Especially after starting the last games of his career.<\/p>\n

Should Julian Strawther Start?<\/h3>\n

As for the merits of Porter\u2019s mentality, Strawther is undoubtedly a more dynamic offensive player than Braun at this point of their careers.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s shiftier, has softer touch, and attempts a higher volume of shots. He\u2019s capable of scoring on and off the ball. Frankly, it\u2019s not just the fact that he could probably match Caldwell-Pope\u2019s three-point volume and efficiency. After seeing how Murray struggles against the Minnesota Timberwolves\u2019 ball pressure in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, it\u2019s obvious that the Nuggets need an additional ball-handler.<\/p>\n

Because neither Jokic nor Gordon are rim-protectors, there\u2019s more pressure on the perimeter defense. That being said, Braun\u2019s length and defensive presence seem to be the reason that Malone has leaned towards him.<\/p>\n

However, Caldwell-Pope is only 6-foot-5 and was an elite defender. Strawther doesn\u2019t have Caldwell-Pope\u2019s technique or strength. He isn\u2019t a defensive specialist by any means. Nonetheless, he\u2019s 6-foot-7 (even taller than Braun) and tries hard to make a stop.<\/p>\n

Fair Is Fair<\/h3>\n

Malone probably won\u2019t change his mind about the starters anytime soon. That doesn\u2019t mean he shouldn\u2019t 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<\/a>. Yet, he\u2019s the one that\u2019ll be coming off the bench.<\/p>\n

\n

Julian Strawther was a MACHINE for the @nuggets<\/a> in #NBAPreseason<\/a>! \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

The former @NBAGrandRapids<\/a> assignee averaged a team-leading 18.8 PPG on 53% FG and 50% 3PT. pic.twitter.com\/dwH4pNapGi<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) October 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n