This offseason, the Nuggets had one clear objective: fix their depth issues. To achieve that goal, they brought in proven veterans in Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas. Those moves strengthened the roster but came at the cost of development opportunities for younger players. Minutes became scarce, relegating talents like Jalen Pickett, Zeke Nnaji, and Julian Strawther to the fringes of the rotation. With so many quality options, the competition for playing time has been fierce even for more established rotation players. Peyton Watson, for example, could have easily dropped down the pecking order if he hadn’t capitalized on the injuries to Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon. With that context in mind, Spencer Jones’ emergence story is even more impressive—and a testament to how far sheer effort can carry someone even at the NBA level.
Every Young Hooper Needs to Learn From Spencer Jones’ Story
On paper, Jones looked like one of the least likely young players to flourish. This is considering all the new competition acquired in the offseason. Furthermore this is a team with title ambitions. After the injuries to Gordon and Braun, most would have guessed that Watson would claim one of the open starting spots. What came as a genuine surprise was that the other spot didn’t go to Hardaway Jr., who would have been the natural fit at the two. Nor to Bruce Brown or even to young, more established guards like Strawther or Pickett. Instead, it went to the undrafted two-way player from Stanford.
He earned that spot. It is not through some unforeseen offensive development, but through relentless, consistent effort and a defensive IQ that goes far beyond his years.
A Level Of Effort We Rarely See
A number of players have earned recognition for their effort, with Russell Westbrook and Jeremy Sochan standing out as prominent examples. To be clear, any comparison between Jones and a former MVP like Westbrook would be unfair, as the latter to this day shoulders a far greater offensive responsibility. However, Jones’s relentless commitment and refusal to take plays off result in a level of defensive production that puts him head and shoulders above both players.
Because he went undrafted, he doesn’t receive the hype or attention that someone like Sochan did coming into the league. Flashy haircuts and unconventional free-throw forms lead to the former Spurs lottery pick earning comparisons to Dennis Rodman. Jones, who has been in almost every aspect better than him, remains largely an unknown to the broader NBA audience.
Shades of Peyton Watson, Yet So Different
Of course, the only similarity between Jones and Watson is the positions they play. Even here, there are differences. Watson, with his slender frame, feels more at home on the perimeter. On the other hand, Jones can battle with stronger forwards and even some centers. The Stanford alum is nowhere near the freak athlete that the former UCLA player is. It’s hard to imagine him ever having an offensive explosion like Watson has had since Nikola Jokic went down.
Yet what he lacks in sheer talent, he makes up for with an elite motor. It is a quality that has allowed him to have a breakout season. It parallels his teammates Braun and Watson at similar stages in their careers. However, he remains raw. It would be unrealistic to expect him to play a major role in the playoffs against the league’s elite just yet. His long-term value will depend on the consistency of his jump shot and whether he can defend the most elite players effectively despite not being a freak athlete. However, based on the exemplary winning style of basketball he already plays, it’s reasonable to be optimistic that he’ll carve out a role at the highest level.
Why The Spencer Jones Story Should Be An Inspiration
His emergence has been exactly what Denver needed after losing of Braun and Gordon. Jones won’t appear on highlight reels, and he’ll never dominate the box score. However, his effort alone should serve as inspiration for every young player who picks up a basketball. He isn’t as naturally talented as Hardaway Jr. or Bruce Brown. However, he earned his spot ahead of them through sheer effort every single night. He exemplifies a fundamental truth: it’s not about how many defenders you drop with crossovers or how deep your bag is. What really counts, at every level of basketball from 3×3 streetball to the NBA, is whether your play actually leads to winning.
In many dysfunctional organizations, a player like him might never get this opportunity. He would being passed over in favor of flashier prospects chasing counting stats. Fortunately, the Nuggets remain one of the league’s best franchises at rewarding winning basketball. That culture is why Jones has fully earned his role. He could certainly be a fascinating part of this team’s future.
Featured Image: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images