Denver Nuggets multi-faceted center Nikola Jokic thinks that Mason Plumlee is the most underrated player in the NBA. Plumlee, 22, has been an excellent backup for Jokic at the center position.
Mike Singer of The Denver Post wrote about Plumlee's influence on the Nuggets, including Jokic's heap of praise for his frontcourt partner.
“I think Mason is the most underrated player in the league, the way how he protects the paint, aggressiveness,” Nikola Jokic said. “He cannot shoot, but he’s doing everything else.”
Jokic may have taken an unintentional hit on Plumlee's offensive prowess, but the latter has been efficient when he decides to put up some shots. Plumlee is averaging a team-high in field goal percentage with an impressive 61% this season.
Of course, one could argue that those shots are comprised mostly of alley-oop dunks or drop-offs at the paint. But forcing attempts isn't natural of Plumlee as he is contented in doing a little of everything for the Nuggets. In fact, he doesn't care about his numbers at all. He'll just do anything the team needs him to do.
Nuggets head coach Mike Malone provides us with a brief outline on how valuable Plumlee is to the team.
“We have him guard whoever we feel is giving us the most trouble because he has the size, the physicality and the mindset to go out there and attack that challenge,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
Plumlee was a member of the 2014 Team USA Men's Basketball Team that won the World Cup in Spain.