Emmanuel Mudiay is already answering questions as to whether or not he’s ready for the NBA. After two NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas over the weekend, Mudiay had social media buzzing over his play and his potential. Everyone from writers and analysts to – most-importantly – his teammates believe he’s well on his way.
Mudiay posted a double-double on Sunday with 19 points and 10 assists against Sacramento in a game Mudiay told reporters, “was personal.” Sacramento passed on Mudiay with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, allowing Denver to select him at number seven.
Denver won the game 98-76. On Friday, in his Summer League debut, Mudiay went for 11 and four with five rebounds and an impressive +10 plus/minus in a 86-71 win over Atlanta.
Following the game, NBA.com called Mudiay “the greatest incoming rookie that nobody ever saw. Until now.”
During the game, reaction to Mudiay’s performance was filling up timelines around Denver and NBA circles.
Reaction from the Denver media was exceedingly positive.
Mudiay is ridiculous. This kid is about to change everything
— Spano (@BrandonSpano) July 13, 2015
Last possession, Mudiay was instructing Harris and Green on where to be. Play ended in Mudiay turnover, but good general on floor.
— Timmons (@NateTimmonsCSG) July 13, 2015
As the Sac Kings go against Mudiay tonight, I wonder if they're asking themselves, "what the hell were we thinking to pass on him?!"
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) July 13, 2015
Nuggets Team & Player Grades for game 2 of summer league. Spoiler alert! Mudiay gets an A. http://t.co/NzTw5ZFUWS pic.twitter.com/B3G5FAtSzO
— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) July 13, 2015
National media jumped on Mudiay’s performance as well.
Most impressive rookie so far in Las Vegas Summer League? Emmanuel Mudiay. http://t.co/DWdyOhAlQV
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) July 13, 2015
Perhaps most telling was what that one of his teammates was taking note. Wilson Chandler, who recently signed a four-year extension to stay in Denver, took time to comment on the rookie’s play.
https://twitter.com/wilsonchandler/status/620391404934594560
The Nuggets will have some hard choices to make in the months leading up to the season. Denver’s starting point guard over the past six seasons has had a widely publicized fall from grace in the Mile High City and has been the subject of trade rumors ever since. However, Mudiay, with only one year of professional experience – in China – under his belt, may be impressing in the Summer League, but competing with the likes of Steph Curry and the rest of the NBA superstars is a different task.
For now, though, Denver can be excited about the potential their new point guard is showing, both on the court and off. Not only did Mudiay start the Summer League with solid play, he asked Nuggets PR for a history of the team to study.
Mudiay going to Tim Gelt asking to know everything about the history of the Nuggets is amazing.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 13, 2015
Following the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said this about his young star:
“My first impression is he seems so much older and more mature. What a great feel for the game, a student of the game. He’s always watching and observing and studying. And he asks a lot of questions. Good questions.”
After two years of struggles on and off the court, Denver and the Nuggets are ready for some answers, too. Mudiay seems well on his way to providing them.