This game really helps showcase what a luxury Jokic is to have on the team. Just as an offensive hub, we’re almost guaranteed a good/great look from just clearing out a side and letting him iso and back down an opposing player. If you don’t help, it’s an easy 2 and if you do, the ball just zips around into a great shot.

He also papers over any weakness in crunch time which lets Malone ride the young guns more throughout the season which is going to be really important. Getting guys like Watson, Nnaji, Gillespie and Pickett minutes is huge.

Finally, I just don’t understand the Clippers offense. They are/were all good to great players, so they should at least understand basic offensive principles right? The last 2 minutes was so frustrating watching them even as a Nuggets fan because they never ever moved. Started offensive movement with 12 seconds left. No one cuts. No one even screens for the ball handler! The last 3 attempt by PG, he had 14 seconds and no one even set him a screen to get an easier look. Zubac was the only person on that team even screening and that got them cuts and open shots the whole 3rd quarter. If the Clippers were even a hair less hot from 3, this game looks way worse for them.

Side note, I’m not that convinced about Mann as such an overwhelming positive piece that he can’t be traded. He’s supposed to be their guard/wing sized screen setter and rim runner but their crunch time offense relegates him to a token screen that they don’t use some times and then standing around. He had some good energy moments but I don’t see it. He wasn’t great defensively either this game so maybe it was a bad game for him and I just need to see more.