Peyton Watson is embracing his increased role with ease this season. As a key player coming off the bench for the Denver Nuggets, Watson’s energetic style has made him a crucial part of the team’s efforts to secure another NBA championship.
His profile has risen lately, partly due to his appearance in a humorous hotel advertisement with two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and a pony. However, Watson reminds himself to savor every moment of his journey without rushing.
Despite his youthful enthusiasm, the 21-year-old understands the importance of patience and enjoying the process. He credits his high school mentor, Kevin Durant, and the guidance of Jokic and his teammates in the NBA for shaping his mature perspective.
Watson acknowledges his competitive nature and desire for immediate success but recognizes the need to take things step by step.
In Denver’s recent victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Watson showcased his defensive prowess with six blocks, helping the Nuggets claim the top spot in the Western Conference.
While he aims for specific stats in a game, Watson’s primary focus is on contributing effectively on both offense and defense, ensuring that he’s fully engaged and making a positive impact on the court.
In the future, achieving such impressive stats could just be the beginning for Peyton Watson, who currently averages 6.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. According to Reggie Jackson, one of his teammates, Watson is the player who has shown the most improvement from last season’s championship run to this one.
Watson admits he wasn’t always a standout player. He started high school at 6-foot-1 but experienced a growth spurt to 6-7 (now listed at 6-8), which helped his game catch up. A memorable moment for him was when he suddenly found himself able to do a 360-degree dunk.
During high school, NBA star Kevin Durant once watched Watson play and was impressed. This boosted Watson’s confidence, and Durant even invited him to play pickup games with other NBA players, which was a huge confidence boost for him.
Although Watson’s stats during his time at UCLA weren’t outstanding, the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him and selected him with the 30th pick in the draft through a deal with Oklahoma City. Watson is grateful to the Nuggets for believing in him when others didn’t.
His growth as a player was further aided by his time with the Grand Rapids team in the NBA’s G League last season. Under the guidance of coach Andre Miller, a former NBA player, Watson learned the value of hard work and perseverance, which has contributed to his recent success on the court, including impressive shot-blocking performances.
Last season, he played in 23 games for the Nuggets, but he learned a lot while sitting on the bench. He sat next to the experienced players and asked them questions about the game. Jokic, especially, was helpful.
“He always told me the truth,” said Watson, who played in five playoff games last season when the Nuggets won their first NBA title. “It was great to learn from him.”
Watson also appeared in commercials with Jokic for Hotels.com. In one ad, they walk through a hotel lobby, with Jokic leading a pony. Watson asks if it’s okay to bring the pony into the hotel, and Jokic tells him it’s allowed because the hotel is pet-friendly.
This leads to Watson joking: “You know, two guys and a horse walk into a hotel …” Jokic corrects him, saying, “This is a pony!” Watson hears this line repeated to him all the time.
“It’s been amazing, even for me, to watch a game (on TV) and see myself when the commercials come on,” said Watson, who shares the same agency, Excel Sports, as Jokic. “It’s something I always dreamed about.”
His role with the Nuggets has increased a lot. He played an average of 8.1 minutes per game last season and 18.6 this season. His points (3.3 to 6.6) and rebounds (1.6 to 3.2) have also increased. He’s handling his bigger role well.
“I approach every game with the same mindset, which is to do my job to the best of my abilities,” Watson said. “I love seeing my teammates succeed, and I love being a part of our success on the court.”
