Torrey Craig, one of the Denver Nuggets two-way contract players, has not been recalled to Denver just to sit on the bench and provide emergency replacement minutes on the wing. Craig is here because Nuggets’ head coach Michael Malone — and the front office as well — believes that Craig can not just provide positive production off the bench but because they believe in Craig’s potential ceiling long-term.
“What I have to do is — if he is going to be here and these are parts of his 45-days — I have to throw him out there and really see what we have,” Malone explained at shootaround prior to matching up with the New Orleans Pelicans. “He is dominating the G-League right now. I mean, the numbers he is putting up are insane.”
The numbers that Malone is alluding to is the freakish G-League averages that Craig has produced. In ten-games played so far in the G-League, Craig is averaging 25.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and two blocks in 37 minutes of action per game. He is putting up those obnoxious numbers very efficiently by shooting 48.9 percent from the field, 37 percent from beyond the three-point line, and 76.5 percent from the free-throw line. What is most spectacular about Craig’s time in the G-League is that he is not just using the time to put up obscene offensive numbers while stymieing opponents defensively; instead, he is using the time to continue learning to be a leader as well.
“Down there (in the G-League), I am definitely more of a leader. Even some of the older guys on the team — and the younger guys — they kind of look to me to set an example. So I am trying to bring that leadership here and keep it rolling,” Craig told Mile High Sports on Friday morning. “I am embracing the experience. I am a rookie but I am kind of like an older guy. I have played professionally overseas so I have a lot of experience in the leadership role.”
That leadership aspect of Craig’s game is very important. This Nuggets’ roster has been described as ‘quiet’ more often than not so bringing in a hard-working and loud Craig could help keep the morale high when the going gets tough. While that will be a welcomed addition to the bench, where Malone sees Craig being able to help the Nuggets is on the defensive end of the floor.
“What Torrey Craig has is that he can guard 1-4, he is a versatile defender, he has that dog mentality where he isn’t going to get punked or let you out-work him, and he takes pride in his defense. I have to find more guys who take pride in their defense because our defense is not where it needs to be,” Malone explained. “Torrey — when he gets consistent minutes in the NBA — will show why I think he is an NBA player. He has the mindset to be a lock-down defender and offensively he is not broke.”
That last sentence is so important. While Craig is pigeonholed into being a ‘defensive specialist’ he is much more than that. His 25.2 points per game are third in the entirety of the G-League and he is doing so while shooting well from everywhere on the floor. In addition to his scoring acumen, he has also done a good job making plays for others. Craig is far from an offensive liability.
“A lot of times those guys are one dimensional — he is a defensive specialist. The great thing about Torrey is that he is not just a defensive specialist; he is a complete player, “Malone explained. “He makes shots, he runs the floor, he cuts and moves well without the ball, and he is a hell of an athlete that can finish on people. I think his upside is really intriguing and exciting for me.”
It seems that Craig will now get his shot to prove he belongs in the ranks of the NBA. The Nuggets do not see Craig as just a two-way contract player; they see him as a prospect that could help Denver down the line. With Will Barton ailing from a lower back contusion and Juancho Hernangomez struggling mightily when on the court, it is not unfeasible that Craig could be in line for minutes on Friday night against the Pelicans.
If not against the Pelicans, Craig is ready for the task of jumping between the G-League and being with the Nuggets’ roster for the foreseeable future. He understands that he has two different roles to fill depending on where he is playing and he is completely willing to buy into whatever role is needed.
“It isn’t as hard as it may sound. It is all about playing a role,” Craig explained to Mile High Sports at shootaround before the Nuggets take on the Pelicans. “Down there my role is much bigger than it is here. I just got to contribute defensively and offensively at times whenever they need me to. It is knowing your role and accepting your role. It is easy if you just accept it.
One thing is for sure: Malone and the Nuggets’ front office adore what Craig brings to the table and have high hopes for him in the future. Whether he is in the G-League or in Denver, the Nuggets will be keeping a close eye on him. They see Craig as an NBA player and that is just a fact.
“I am a huge fan. I think that has been documented already,” Malone explained. “I think he is an NBA player right now. Obviously, with the potential of guys maybe playing — or maybe not playing — I think it is the right thing to call him up.”
