In the previous NBA season, the Denver Nuggets missed the playoffs by one game, finishing the season with a 40-42 (.488) record. This year, Vegas oddsmakers have set the over/under season win totals for the Nuggets at 43.5 wins. While the Nuggets’ roster remained relatively intact during the offseason, they’ve also added four-time NBA All-Star Paul Millsap, who will likely provide a significant boost. This team is a sleeper pick to go over on their 43.5 wins, and we’ll look at some of the reasons below.
Motivation
Late in the season last year, thanks to a three-point buzzer beater by eventual Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook, the Nuggets were eliminated from playoff contention in heartbreaking fashion. After coming so close to making the playoffs even though their team’s starting lineup was in constant flux along with numerous player injuries, Westbrook’s shot that eliminated them from the playoffs must have left a bitter taste in the mouths of Nuggets’ players. Having to take this feeling with them for the entire offseason, the Nuggets will likely receive some added motivation to perform much better this year.
Intact Roster
All of the players from the Nuggets’ roster last year are basically back – Will Barton, Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Gary Harris, Juan Hernangomez, Nikola Jokic, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jamal Murray, and Jameer Nelson. Having so many returning players certainly helps head coach Mike Malone with continuity and familiarity of his players with one another. That’s especially important because this is such a young team with so many prospects that are developing together. Yes, they did lose Danilo Galinari to free agency but remember that the small forward – while talented – was often injured. They’ve gotten used to life without him.
This team will likely become much more comfortable playing together and with a core group of relatively young players, everyone’s game should improve coming into the upcoming season.
The Nuggest Are Loading With Youth, Depth
The Nuggets have also known to be a deep team and this upcoming season is no different. At the point guard position, you have Mudiay, Murray, and Nelson to work with. At shooting guard, Harris, and Barton. At small forward, Chandler and Hernangomez. At power forward, Millsap, Faried, Trey Lyles, and Darrell Arthur. At center, Jokic, Plumlee, and Hibbert.
Malone will have plenty of options at his disposal, and should be able to gain comfort over the course of the season. This is a team that’s still trying to figure out everyone’s roles to understand who fits in where. He will have a full deck to work with, knowing his bench players will be able to hold their own on the floor.
Nikola Jokic Is A Superstar On The Rise
Early on last season, Malone was struggling to find the ideal way to use Jokic. However, after trading Jusuf Nurkic to the Portland Trail Blazers, Jokic began to thrive – in a huge way. Jokic’s offensive skills were on full display as the offense ran through him. He’s a great passer for his height and position, possesses an array of moves in the post, and can shoot the ball relatively well with his soft touch. In the latter half of the season, Jokic had one of the best offensive ratings in the NBA. It’d be very interesting to see how dominant he could be with a full season to work with.
Paul Millsap Brings A Reliable, Veteran Presence
Millsap is one of the most selfless and underrated players in the NBA, who’s capable of making all of his teammates around him better. Millsap is a true team player and will likely be able to fit seamlessly into Malone’s system. There are All-Stars that need the attention and need the ball in their hands all the time. Millsap can get the job done if he’s called upon and if not, he’s happy to share the limelight.
Last year, there was a huge clog in the power forward and center positions with Faried, Jokic, and Nurkic. However, the starting power forward and center is clear for the upcoming season – Millsap and Jokic respectively, with Faried, Roy Hibbert, and Mason Plumlee as backups.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
