NBA Opening Night: Lakers, Nuggets square off; Key matchup to watch

Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
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Lakers-Nuggets
Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

A Denver Nuggets primer

They say that if you talk the talk, then you have to walk the walk. And as of right now the defending NBA champions come strutting into the new season. Opponents literally have not found a way to slow down the 2-man game between Jokic and Jamal Murray. Coaches have a difficult time game planning for them and opposing players have a difficult time guarding the duo because they are both brilliant playmakers and both are versatile shooters.

Murray has finally realized his potential and Jokic just plays on another level as his basketball IQ is off the charts. He is able to pass his teammates open and even creates opportunities off of missed shots. Even when opponents try and bring an extra defender, Jokic or Murray is capable of making that extra outlet pass in order to find Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Michael Porter Jr. around the 3-point line.

Jokic and Murray may be the best pick-and-roll combination since Stockton and Malone, and as a matter of fact, they may be even better. Their pick and roll is harder to contain because both players are equally as good at running it. Doesn’t matter if it’s a 7-foot-2 center or an athletic versatile wing, they always find success and nobody has found a way to stop it.

Jokic plays basketball the way it should be played. It’s not the fact that he is capable of making those spectacular passes, it’s the fact that a star player is willing to give the ball up. He’s looking to make those passes and the Nuggets team has been built around it. For other players, it would be difficult to embrace Jokic’s style of selflessness.

Murray, KCP, MPJ, and Aaron Gordon have accepted and excelled with this style of play. The Nuggets also have to be careful not to fall victim to the championship hangover and Mike Malone has to make sure his team doesn’t become complacent. They now have a target on their backs and will get every team’s best shot.