Denver Nuggets: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Spurs

DENVER, CO - APRIL 13: Jamal Murray #27 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets high five during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs on April 13, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

3. Lack of aggression from Nikola Jokic

Since entering the NBA back in 2015, Nikola Jokic has proven to be one of the best passing big men in the NBA, averaging a career-best 7.3 assists per game this season. Denver runs its offense through their center, sending cutters to the rim and running shooters off screens, knowing fairly well Jokic will find them.

However, the first-time All-Star also led the Nuggets in scoring this season at 20.1 points per game while attempting 15.1 shots a night as well. He needs to look for his shot in order for his team to be successful. In Game 1, that wasn’t the case. Jokic attempted only nine shots en route to just 10 points in the loss.

Part of his off night in the scoring department was likely due to a disciplined Spurs team on the defensive end, but that’s no excuse for Jokic’s lack of aggression. There’s a difference between struggling to hit shots and not taking them at all. Jokic’s performance was the latter, and it clearly hampered Denver throughout its struggles over the course of the game.

It’s difficult to coax a pass-first player into shooting more, but the Nuggets go as their best player goes. If he’s not aggressive in looking for his own shot and putting pressure on the defense, it will be quite difficult for his teammates to find themselves open off the attention he’ll most likely command.

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