NEW YORK — What a difference each month is turning out to be for Nuggets rookie guard Emmanuel Mudiay.
He has played some of his best basketball in February.
It’s been three games. Understood. But the lottery pick has put more of the qualities that made him a coveted draft pick on the court than at any other point this season.
Never was that more on display than Friday night in the Nuggets’ comeback victory over Chicago. During the last 4:34 of the game, Mudiay went 3-of-4 from the field and had eight points and an assist, part of his 22-point effort in the 115-110 win.
In February, Mudiay is averaging the most assists he has had in any month (6.3), the fewest turnovers (2.0), the most steals (2.0) and the most personal fouls drawn (3.3). The last statistic speaks to Mudiay’s aggressiveness. He constantly drives the lane, and does so with purpose and decisiveness, usually to finish at the rim, also an area in which he has improved.
Mudiay and Nuggets coach Michael Malone credit Mudiay’s time off when he was injured — missing 14 games from Dec. 14 through Jan. 8 — as being productive.
“Me being out, I think it really helped me because the whole game slowed down to me, and at the same time it got faster to me, if that makes sense,” Mudiay said. “I’ve just been trying to do as much studying as I can, trying to watch other players and just keep working on my development.”
It’s working.
Mudiay also has his best plus-minus rating of any month this season: plus-4.3.
“I think what helped him was being out,” Malone said. “It allowed him to watch us play, watch everyone else in the league play and have more of a patience. On top of that, I think he’s playing with a lot more confidence and aggressiveness. … He has an attack mind-set right now. His emotion, we’re seeing the true personality of Emmanuel Mudiay. So a lot more patient, but just as important, a lot more aggressive.”
Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried says he is seeing Mudiay grow “into a better point guard, a leader on the floor.”
Mudiay’s shooting remains a work in progress. He is making only 38.2 percent from the field, which is about what he shot in January as well, and is making just 25 percent of his 3-point shots and 47 percent of his free throws. He went to the free-throw line 11 times Friday against the Bulls (good) but made just five (bad).
So a lot of growth remains. But with Malone and everyone else around Mudiay raving about his work ethic, they say they’re confident his shooting struggles will be ironed out.
Malone is more concerned with Mudiay playing fast and free. Part of that starts with Malone not giving Mudiay a quick hook when he makes mistakes, instead letting him play through them.
“If he makes a mistake … just keep playing. Don’t look at me,” Malone said. “If you turn the ball over, get it back, make a play, get a stop. That trust I think he’s feeling that and excelling with that.”
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets:
Denver can help out its pick swap with the Knicks in this coming offseason by beating them in an early game Sunday at Madison Square Garden, a prelude to the Broncos playing later that day in Super Bowl 50. The Knicks (23-30) have a better record than the Nuggets (20-31), and so right now the Nuggets would not elect to swap the pick, which is the final piece of the 2011 Carmelo Anthony trade. … Forward Darrell Arthur is questionable for the game because of soreness in his left quadriceps.
Knicks:
Carmelo Anthony is questionable for the game because of soreness in his left knee. Anthony, who leads the Knicks with 21.1 points per game, did not play in their game Friday night, a 91-85 loss to Memphis at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have lost four consecutive games and have losses in eight of their last nine games after reaching .500 at 22-22 on Jan. 20. … Forwards Lance Thomas (concussion) and Cleanthony Early (knee) are out of the game. Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post
DENVER AT NEW YORK 11 a.m. Sunday, ALT; 950 AM
Spotlight on Kristaps Porzingis:
The rookie center has been the talk of the town in Manhattan — and for that matter, across the league. A shot blocker who can score on the block, in transition and over defenders with thunderous dunks has given the Knicks hope for a bright future. In the process, Porzingis is locked in a battle with Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns among the front-runners for the NBA’s rookie of the year award. Porzingis averages 13.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets:
The Nuggets can help out their pick swap with the Knicks in this coming offseason by beating them in Madison Square Garden on Sunday morning, a local prelude to the Broncos playing that night in Super Bowl 50. The Knicks (23-30) currently have a better record than the Nuggets (20-31), and so right now the Nuggets would not elect to swap the pick, which is the final piece of the 2011 Carmelo Anthony trade. … Forward Darrell Arthur is questionable for the game due to soreness in his left quad.
Knicks:
Carmelo Anthony is questionable for the game due to soreness in his left knee. Anthony, who leads the Knicks with 21.1 points per game, did not play in their game on Friday night, a 91-85 loss to Memphis at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have lost four straight games and have losses in eight of their last nine games after reaching .500 at 22-22 on Jan. 20. … Lance Thomas (concussion) and Cleanthony Early (knee) are both out of the game.
Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post
