Julian Strawther may no longer be in school, but he has found a valuable assigned seat on the Denver Nuggets bench. The young player has been fortunate enough to sit beside veteran DeAndre Jordan during each game, soaking up knowledge and guidance from the experienced NBA star.
Strawther acknowledges the wealth of wisdom he gains from Jordan, stating, "There's a lot of good nuggets just from DJ on the bench. I sit next to him every game, so you know he's always in my ear, pointing things out, telling me things to watch and look out for just so I understand (those) parts of the game when I do get in."
With Jamal Murray sidelined due to injuries, Strawther has been given more playing time to put these lessons into action. Nuggets coach Michael Malone recognizes the value of learning from veterans like Jordan, stating, "Every game, every opportunity is a learning opportunity. While you're on the bench, watching, learning, learning from other people and learning from other great players or if you're sitting next to a 16-year veteran like DJ who's been around the block and been around a lot of great players, keep your ears and eyes open and learn as much as you can."
Strawther's early playing time was limited, but he made the most of his chances. In a breakout game against the Pelicans, he scored 21 points on 13 shots in just 19 minutes. Since then, he has played in the last nine games and has rarely played fewer than 10 minutes.
Heading into the upcoming game against the Clippers, Strawther is averaging 5.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in under 13 minutes per game. With Murray's availability uncertain, the young rookie may have even more opportunities to showcase his skills and continue learning from Jordan.
Strawther appreciates the specific insights Jordan provides, explaining, "Some of the things he points out are things that would go right over my head. Just being able to notice that and then when I get in the game and see that exact action that he pointed out to me, being able to manipulate it or navigate it, it's just huge for me."
During his time on the bench, Strawther has learned valuable lessons from Jordan on handling adversity, maintaining a steady mindset, and embracing the Nuggets culture. While playing time may fluctuate, Strawther remains focused on contributing to the team's success.
He emphasizes, "We just want to win games here. Just being bought into the system, I mean, everybody in this locker room is looking at one thing, and that's winning another championship. My job is to come in, bring energy, shoot shots if they're there and that's it. Be a relief guy for those guys right now, those main five. That's my job, and I'm going to live up to it."
Thanks to the guidance of his helpful teammate, Strawther is off to a promising start. He praises Jordan as the epitome of a veteran in professional sports, highlighting his vocal leadership and ability to switch between being light-hearted and serious. As a young player looking to make a name for himself, Strawther greatly values the mentorship he receives from Jordan.
In conclusion, Julian Strawther's journey with the Denver Nuggets has been enriched by the presence of DeAndre Jordan on the bench. The young rookie is eagerly learning from the seasoned veteran, honing his skills and embracing the team's championship aspirations. As Strawther continues to grow and make his mark, his partnership with Jordan serves a testament to the power of mentorship in the world of basketball.
