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Why Zeke Nnaji Is Playing the Best Basketball of His Career

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Brendan Vogt Avatar

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On most game nights, there’s a $32 Million man that sits near end of Denver’s bench. Zeke Nnaji’s contract extension kicked in last season, but he hasn’t been able to crack the rotation, muddying Denver’s cap sheet and hindering their quest to add more depth. Appearing both non-tradeable and unplayable, Nnaji became the elephant in the locker room.

Over time, Nnaji’s opportunities to contribute dried up. Entering this season, his fate seemed all but sealed. If he was to break out and change the narrative, it would have to happen elsewhere. But NBA seasons are long, and most organizations have to deviate from the original plan.

In Denver’s case, one starter fell after another, until the big fella himself, Nikola Jokić, went down with a bone bruise in his left knee. One game into his absence, the backup center, Jonas Valanciunas suffered a calf strain.

Just like that, a path was paved for Nnaji to log significant playing time. And he’s making the most of it.

On the season, Nnaji has averaged 11.2 minutes, 4.1 points, and 1.9 rebounds per game. In his last six outings, those numbers jumped to 24.5 minutes, 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. He’s also been on the floor closing three of those games, including the miraculous win in Philadelphia.

Nnaji initially impressed folks in the organization with his defensive versatility, showing his potential as switchable big. His struggles on the other end hurt his playing time, and the defensive impact began to fade as well. Eventually, we had to squint to see the skills that got him to the league in the first place. But lately, he’s opening eyes with his play.

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Nnaji turned in one of the best defensive efforts of the season when the Nuggets beat the Celtics in Boston. On Sunday night in Denver, his defense popped again as the Nuggets outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks in another upset victory.

Leading by three in the closing seconds, the Nuggets rotated their tails off as they put together an impressive possession. Nnaji put his fingerprints on it by blocking a three-point attempt from AJ Green. He also led all players with 10 rebounds, spearheading Denver’s winning effort on the glass despite playing without their centers.

“(He’s) going out there and and and doing what he does best,” Tim Hardaway Jr. said after beating Milwaukee. “Defending on the ball, just mucking up the defensive side of the of the basketball and making sure he grabs rebounds.

“He’s a very, very versatile — big versatile player. It helps us out tremendously on the defensive end when we could switch everything and he could stay in front of guards, point guards, you name it. And I think him having that performance in Boston and in Philly, I think really boosted his confidence level tremendously.”

Confidence is essential for a player in Nnaji’s position. He’s denied that it’s ever been an issue, which is a reasonable answer in a press conference, but anyone watching this team closely can see his confidence is growing right now.

“Confidence is huge,” Bruce Brown told DNVR. “He had a really good game and it just keeps growing. We’re going to need him down the stretch.”

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Nnaji’s confidence can, in part, be measured by how he attacks the rim. He’s a great athlete, yet sometimes settles for soft finishes in the paint. Lately, he’s attacking with authority, dunking over contests, finishing through contact, and even busting out a left-handed reverse layup.

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Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

“He’s being super aggressive,” Brown continued. “He’s showing what we see behind the scenes in pickup in the summer, in practice, being supper aggressive looking for his shot. He’s just playing to his strengths.”

As the confidence builds, Nnaji’s becoming more impactful on the floor. There was a time when his presence did little to change the geometry of the court. Lately, when he rolls, the defense reacts. His head coach made sure to give him credit.

“His finishing has been really good of late, which is a major key for us right now because he’s rolling to the rim so much,” Adelman said. “He’s creating 2-on-1’s, and 3-on-2’s. I thought a few times his rolls actually created corner 3’s for other guys.”

Nnaji’s improved play coincides with a similar development for Jalen Pickett, and an elevated role for Peyton Watson. All three of them are playing some of, if not, the best basketball of their careers. This is adding up to more than a feel good story. The Nuggets are now 4-3 without Jokić as they seek to stay competitive in the unforgiving Western Conference.

As the rotation becomes whole again, piece by piece, roles will be reduced. Exactly how Nnaji fits into the bigger picture remains to be seen. But in the span of six games, he’s changed the narrative about his capabilites. Once thought to be unplayable, he’s now a fixture in three of the campaign’s most important victories.

“When you play within yourself and you have a cockiness to you and how you play, then you’re in a really, really good spot as a professional basketball player,” Adelman said at the podium. “I was really proud of him.”