The Denver Nuggets exacted some sort of revenge against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday after beating them in their season opener. The Suns swept the Nuggets in the second round of the NBA Playoffs last year, just in case you forgot.
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic immediately recorded his first big outing of the campaign, leading the Nuggets with 27 points on 1of-22 shooting and 13 rebounds. He got ample support from Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, PJ Dozier, and Jeff Green who all scored in double digits.
After the game, Jokic was in a jovial mood, as usual. He was asked by reporters if he thought Porter how to pass as MPJ had five assists against the Suns. Of course, The Joker, um, joked.
“No (I didn't teach him anything). I think he'll actually, probably, figure it out. If I have two guys on me, probably one guy is open. It's math.”
Porter has earned a reputation for being a ball hog. In his first two seasons with the Nuggets, he averaged—hold on tight—a whopping 0.9 assists. MPJ has never met a shot he didn't like. For him, the best extra pass is to himself.
All jokes aside, many young NBA players gradually learn how to find open teammates. Perhaps Porter is still going through that phase. Being teammates with Jokic, already the greatest passing big man in NBA history, will certainly help him. The Nuggets also have another elite playmaker in Facundo Campazzo.
It will be interesting to see if MJP keeps his assists up as the Nuggets host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.
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