Nicole Yokic has been injured for a little bit now, and the Nuggets are surviving, vote. They're three and two without him, just finished this seven game road trip. We were preparing for the worst. There have been some bad moments, but, I mean, three and two and five games without Yokic is three and two and five games. They've been okay. They've survived. In your opinion, what's the biggest reason why that's happened? Yeah, well, first of all, you take three and two every time, really, all things considered. And you almost are looking back to that Cleveland game thinking they should have gotten four. That's a good point. They should be four and one. Probably should be four and one. I think there are two first layers to this. And the first is, you know, Jamal Marie has shown this season that he's a true second star alongside Yokic. Yep. He's actually shown that he's a star right now even without Yokic. I think no matter what, as long as one of those two guys are out there, they're not going to have a star on the floor. And when you have a star on the floor, you have a chance. The second layer to me, brother, is the ascension of Peyton Watson.

P-Watt, he's been kind of a revelation. Five straight games of 20 plus points coming without

Yokic. He's shooting the ball from three. He's leveling up on offense. And he's doing this all without the best

offensive player of all time. Exactly. You know, the guy who gets him so many of those easy buckets.

So I agree. Pwad, he's been a huge reason why. And you can count on him at this moment. That has

never been the case. And that's a big reason why his offensive game has taken a leap.

You know, in the past, he's had moments. Looking back to last season, he'd have games here or there.

Maybe he's shooting the ball well one game. Maybe, you know, he's just finding he's the offense

in another. 20 points in five straight games without Yokic is real.

He's getting good shots.

He just is so settled as an offensive player.

The game has really slowed down for him.

I agree it's a huge reason why.

Another huge reason why is how Jamal Murray has been playing this season,

but also how his game has changed with yoke out of the lineup.

Obviously, no yokech, your mindset changes as a defense.

Now you go, okay, who's the guy we have to stop?

Who's number one on our scouting report?

Now it's Jamal Murray.

He's getting double team, triple teamed, trapped all over the court, getting full court pressed for most of the game in some of these matchups.

But he's altered his mindset in a brilliant way because now he's become mini yoke in a way. He's become the facilitator.

Sets a career high in assist against the 76ers.

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