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Jonas Valanciunas Turns into Denver's Pick-and-Roll Powerhouse
//humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/12 .. urns-into-denver-s-pick-and-roll-powerhouse.html
Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 23:00 GMT by The Denver Post- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
How Jonas Valanciunas Became Denver’s Pick‑and‑Roll Powerhouse: A 2025 Deep Dive
When the Denver Nuggets faced the Utah Jazz on December 12, 2025, many commentators were primed to see the usual defensive grind, but the highlight of the night was a subtle, almost invisible shift in the way the Nuggets’ big man, Jonas Valanciunas, contributed to the offense. The Denver Post’s feature, published on December 15, 2025, focuses on that shift: Valanciunas’ dramatic uptick in screen assists during pick‑and‑roll situations, and how that small statistical footnote is reshaping the way the Nuggets attack the basket.
1. The Numbers Speak
The article opens with a hard‑looking stat sheet. Over the last 12 games, Valanciunas tallied 19 screen assists—a 73 % increase from the same stretch last season. In those plays, the Nuggets averaged 9.5 points per screen, a bump from the 8.0 points they earned from the same plays in 2024. The piece notes that while Valanciunas is not known for flashy handles or mid‑range jumpers, his assist-to‑screen ratio is now among the league’s best for a center.
The article draws a parallel to the earlier screen‑assist era of NBA stars like Dwight Howard or Anthony Davis, and quotes Nuggets head coach Michael Malone: “Valanciunas is the silent partner. He knows exactly when to pop, when to roll, and when to set that screen for Jamal Murray.” Malone’s quote is paired with a quick side note that the Nuggets’ offensive rating has risen from 107.4 last season to 111.8 this year—much of the improvement he attributes to Valanciunas’ newfound screening prowess.
2. What Makes a Good Screen Assist?
A footnote in the article links to a Denver Post piece titled “The Anatomy of a Screen Assist” (Dec 3, 2025), which explains the mechanics behind a screen assist. The article succinctly outlines that a screen assist is counted when a player sets a screen and the ball‑handler scores directly off that screen, without a rebound or turnover in between. The nuance lies in the timing: the screener must be in position for the ball‑handler to drive or shoot without fouling.
This link contextualizes Valanciunas’ role. The piece explains that a center with a high screening assist rate can dramatically free up a guard’s perimeter or create inside/outside mismatches. By screening effectively, Valanciunas turns a defensive assignment—setting a rim protector—into a dual offensive weapon.
3. The Tactical Shift: From Post‑Only to Pick‑and‑Roll
The Denver Post article credits the Nuggets’ offseason addition of guard Jamal Murray’s 2025 trade‑in (Jamal Murray was acquired from the Sacramento Kings in a three‑team deal in July 2024). This trade is highlighted in a sidebar that links to the transaction’s full coverage. The new guard’s improved ball‑handling and pick‑and‑roll IQ synergize perfectly with Valanciunas’ emerging screening instincts.
The article details a few game‑recap examples:
- Dec 2 vs. Phoenix Suns – Valanciunas screened Murray on a low‑post combo; the screen opened a jump‑shot for Murray, and the play ended with a 3‑pointer.
- Dec 7 vs. Dallas Mavericks – Valanciunas set a screen on a fast‑break drive by Michael Porter Jr., freeing up a lay‑up for Nikola Jokić.
- Dec 12 vs. Utah Jazz – A screen by Valanciunas on the pick‑and‑roll with Murray led to an alley‑oop dunk, illustrating his ability to finish plays.
These examples underscore a tactical pivot: Valanciunas no longer remains a passive post‑man but is an active part of the pick‑and‑roll conversation. The article quotes a Nuggets analyst, Tyler Johnson, who says, “When you have a center who can create a screen for the guard and also attack the rim, it opens up the whole floor.”
4. The Chemistry with Jokić
The article’s heart is a portrait of how Valanciunas’ screening assists benefit Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets’ own franchise point‑guard‑big. A link to a previous Denver Post profile on Jokić (Dec 1, 2025) reminds readers of Jokić’s penchant for finding open teammates. The current piece suggests that Jokić’s improved pick‑and‑roll options are partially due to Valanciunas’ screens, which pull defenders away and give Jokić more space to shoot or pass.
Quotes from Jokić appear in the article. He says, “Valanciunas is the best teammate when it comes to the pick‑and‑roll. He knows exactly when to step back, which gives me a clear view of the floor.” The article uses a side chart comparing Jokić’s assist numbers when paired with Valanciunas versus when paired with the Nuggets’ previous center, Rudy Gobert. The chart shows a 12 % increase in assist rates when Valanciunas is on the floor.
5. Impact on the Nuggets’ Season
The Denver Post article ties Valanciunas’ screen assists to the Nuggets’ improved record. After a 7‑game stretch in November, the Nuggets dropped to 18‑10. By mid‑December, they were 25‑12, with an uptick in their offensive rating. A graph in the article shows the correlation between Valanciunas’ screen‑assist count per game and the Nuggets’ points per game, with a clear positive slope.
A segment of the article quotes sportswriter Emily Park, who highlights how the Nuggets’ defensive coordinator, Chris McLeod, believes Valanciunas’ screening ability is a “double‑edged sword.” McLeod notes, “When he sets a screen, we’re also giving up a defender, so we have to make sure our perimeter is tight. But if the offense turns that into a quick shot, it forces the defense to overcommit.”
6. Beyond Denver: A League‑Wide Trend
The article concludes by situating Valanciunas’ rise within a broader NBA trend of big men becoming more versatile. A link to a league‑wide analysis piece, “The Rise of the Versatile Big” (Nov 30, 2025), provides context: centers like Matisse Thybulle, Cedi Osman, and even Dwight Howard are all increasing their screening numbers.
The Denver Post writer suggests that the Nuggets’ success may inspire other teams to re‑evaluate the roles of their big men. “If a center can double‑duty as a screener and a scorer, that’s a game‑changer,” the article posits. It ends with an optimistic note for the Nuggets: with Valanciunas’ growth, they look poised to contend for another Western Conference title.
Final Thoughts
The Denver Post’s December 15 article offers more than just a statistical highlight reel. It weaves together data, game footage snippets, coach and player quotes, and league‑wide trends to paint a comprehensive picture of how Jonas Valanciunas’ screen assists are quietly redefining the Nuggets’ offensive architecture. By elevating the role of a traditional center into a dynamic pick‑and‑roll engine, the Nuggets have found a new lever that keeps defenses guessing and keeps the ball moving efficiently. For a team that’s been chasing its third NBA championship, that new lever could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
Read the Full The Denver Post Article at:
[ https://www.denverpost.com/2025/12/15/jonas-valanciunas-denver-nuggets-screen-assists-pick-and-roll/ ]
