Nuggets Roundtable: What has been the most Impressive Aspect of Reggie Jackson’s Season thus far?
Reggie Jackson’s comeback has been the most compelling narrative of the Nuggets’ season. DNVR Nuggets talks the most amazing feature of his 2023, whether Julian Strawther is in the rotation for good, and how they envision the Nuggets’ schedule moving forward.
What’s been the most impressive aspect of Reggie Jackson’s season?
Adam Mares: How much he’s fit in while still being himself
When the Denver Nuggets signed Reggie to a surprising two-year extension this summer, the thought was that he could fit into the Nuggets’ system better after being with the team for a training camp. The implication would seem that that would mean altering his game to fit into an established identity. But to my surprise, he’s found a way to fit into Denver’s style of play by doing the things that have made him so valuable in previous stops. With Jokic, he’s a talented PnR scorer and pocket passer. Without Jokic, he’s an aggressive lead scorer shooting more efficiently than ever. In other words, he’s fit in by doing the things he’s great at but at the exact right level of aggressiveness to match whatever lineup he’s in.
Harrison Wind: Scoring the ball at a career-best efficiency
With Jamal Murray missing so much time early on this season, the Nuggets needed scoring. And above all else, that’s what Reggie Jackson has provided. Jackson’s shooting a career-best 50% from the floor. He’s never shot above 46% in his career. He’s shooting 41% from 3. His career-high coming into this season is 43%. Overall, Jackson’s 59.3 True Shooting % ranks as a career-best. Jackson’s been a scoring threat every minute that he’s been on the floor, and it’s helped the Nuggets’ offense in a big way. Here’s another stat to consider: Jackon’s averaging 17 points per game as a starter this season on a 63.4 TS%. Murray’s averaging 18.5 on a 58.1 TS%.
Brendan Vogt: How much Denver’s needed it
Where would the Nuggets be without Reggie Jackson? Without Jamal Murray, we’ve seen a rookie and a two-way point guard take the floor. We’ve seen Christian Braun play point. This team needs every ounce of Jackson’s scoring and occasional playmaking. His role grew overnight, and he rose to meet the size of it. The bailout jokes are writing themselves these days.
Is Julian Strawther in the rotation for good?
Mares: For the regular season, yes
Michael Malone has stuck with Strawther through ups and downs, even when the slumps have coincided with losses. That’s an impressive vote of confidence from Malone and it makes me believe that he will stick with him through future slumps. Strawther has rewarded Malone for his faith by showing flashes of upside on offense while continuing to get more comfortable with the speed and timing of NBA play. I think there are bumps on the road ahead but feel confident Malone will keep him in the rotation all year.
Wind: He’s trending that way.
This last Julian Strawther showing was impressive. He went for 16 points but only hit two 3s. Strawther hit two two-point shots but also went 6-8 from the free-throw line. He showed that he can have an impactful game even when he’s not scorching hot from beyond the arc. Strawther also had 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal against the Bulls. The truth is that Strawther is more than just a shooter, it’s just that’s his best skill. He’s a complete player and a true compliment to Christian Braun and Peyton Watson on the Nuggets’ second unit.
Vogt: I’m not sure there’s such a thing
Is there such a thing as “the” rotation yet? It’s been a game of musical chairs since Murray’s hamstring issue, and I don’t expect that to change. That said, I look forward to every minute he gets. We’ve talked so much about development for the young guys. In the meantime, Strawther and Watson can help them win the occasional game right now. Strawther has serious bailout ability. I love how he turned it up post-ejection in Chicago.
What’s your expectation for the upcoming three-game homestand (Nets, Thunder, Mavs)?
Mares: 3-0
The Nuggets already lost a home game this month. Should we really expect another one so soon? All 3 games are winnable and all 3 matchups are favorable. The Nets are on the second night of a back-to-back. The Thunder and Mavericks have proven too small to matchup with Jokic and Gordon inside. Anything less than 3-0 would be disappointing.
Wind: 3 wins
A win should be the expectation whenever the Nuggets play at home, and this is the point in the schedule where a Nuggets run could be coming. This is a get-right three-game homestand where the Nuggets could re-establish themselves as the best team in the league. Then, if Denver can breeze through an easy Eastern Conference three-game road trip (at Raptors, Nets, and Hornets) they return home for an even easier portion of the schedule through Christmas and early January. The Nuggets play the Hornets (twice), Grizzlies, and Pistons in an eight-game stretch coming up.
Vogt: 3-0
Denver is too good at home. They clean up in Ball Arena. The Houston loss is a notable recent exception — the first home loss to a Western Conference opponent with the Big 4 on the floor. But that should inspire better basketball from the Nuggets. They’re not used to losing in that building; I hope they take it personally. As Wind pointed out, the schedule is lightening up here. This is when Denver should take advantage and turn a corner.
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