During the 2023-24 season, the Nuggets were minus-251 (minus-8.6 per 100 possessions) without Jokić. In 2022-23, they were minus-367 (minus-10.4 per 100 possessions) without the big guy.
In other words, the bench perhaps performed better this season. So, perhaps Bruce Brown’s absence has been overstated.
Still, there was a certain attitude that Brown brought off the bench that isn’t really there now. His versatility, including the ability to create in the absence of Murray was key too. And his defensive aggression against D’Angelo Russell was part of why the Lakers guard was eventually played out of the series.
Without him, Denver doesn’t really have the same kind of tenacious, on-ball guard defender to bother L.A.’s backcourt, particularly Russell.
Peyton Watson and Christian Braun are undoubtedly plus defenders, but they’re better suited to bother wings (which is exactly what they’ll need to do against LeBron).
Neither can pilot the offense quite like Brown did either. That responsibility now falls to Reggie Jackson, who was fine off the bench this season, but he just sort of plays in a different rhythm than the rest of the team. Some nights, the chaos he creates is good. Sometimes, it’s a disaster for Denver.
There’s no guarantee the Nuggets can replace the impact Brown had in the conference finals.
