A few days before the start of the regular season, DNA of Sports is approaching the end of its traditional presentation, franchise by franchise, of the upcoming NBA season. Like every year, this takes the form of a countdown, from the teams expected at the bottom of the ranking to our favorite for the champion title.
Today, it’s time for the Nuggets who will discover a new role this season, that of “hunted”. An outsider for several seasons, Denver won the first title in its history. An NBA champion title which is uncontested since Nikola Jokic’s teammates only lost four matches in the playoffs, and they forced the big guys to seriously strengthen themselves. Like the Bucks with Damian Lillard, the Suns with Bradley Beal or the Celtics with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.
The Nuggets are the team to beat, and on paper, they will defend their title with a somewhat weakened squad. Swiss army knife of the team and revelation of the season, Bruce Brown fell for tens of millions of dollars from the Pacers. Another departure, that of Jeff Green, the indestructible soldier. These two had the 6th and 7th playing time of the team in the playoffs. We would even be tempted to add the loss of Vlatko Cancar, who suffered a serious knee injury this summer. Even if he did not play in the playoffs, he has more than the level to join the rotation in the regular season.
Promoted youth
In Denver, like with the Spurs a few years ago, we decided to rely on the same framework, and promote young people.
Revelation of the playoffs, Christian Braun will gain ground in the game, Peyton Watson is expected to take on part of the responsibilities of Bruce Brown and Zeka Nnaji has the possibility of taking over the role of Jeff Green.
The leaders had activated his clause a year ago, and it was a mark of confidence. On the rookie side, Julian Strawther is having a great pre-season, and his outside skill can do some good. The only “free agent” recruited, Justin Holiday is a seasoned pro, and his versatility in positions 2-3 will be interesting on both sides of the field. The very type of recruit who will blend in. Finally, we must not forget the contribution of Reggie Jackson. Transparent at the end of the season, after his arrival from Los Angeles, he was extended and we imagine that Mike Malone is counting on him to take over from Jamal Murray.
In the end, the Nuggets have three significant assets: experience, automatisms and continuity. It will be useful in the regular season to give the team’s stars a break, even if Mike Malone will ask more from his executives to compensate for the departure of Bruce Brown. But once in the playoffs, the core of 7-8 players will still be difficult to maneuver. Especially if Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon maintain their All-Star level, and Michael Porter Jr. catches up with his comrades. As for Nikola Jokic, he has been the best player in the world for three years, and MVP or not, we can count on him to make others better.
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals: Justin Holiday (Mavericks), Jalen Pickett and Julian Strawther (rookies)
Departures: Bruce Brown (Pacers), Thomas Bryant (Heat), Jack White (Thunder), Jeff Green (Rockets)
PLAYER TO WATCH: MICHAEL PORTER JR
He didn’t ask for anything, but Michael Porter Jr. found himself at the center of a little controversy this week. It was following the statements of his GM, Calvin Booth, who justified the departure of Bones Hyland with this somewhat too frank statement: “ I knew that we couldn’t have two players incapable of defending, and that we couldn’t have two young players who thought of themselves first. Mike (Michael Porter Jr.) earns $30 million. He is one of the best NBA shooters. So, Bones, there is no place for you here.”
In two sentences, which his GM clearly did not intend to release in full, Michael Porter Jr. is therefore summed up as a personal player who does not defend ! Since then, Calvin Booth has tried to make up for it but we imagine that Michael Porter Jr. enjoyed this outing moderately. Certainly, the young winger has seen others, but it would indeed be essential that he starts defending and raises his head, and that he takes a step forward in his influence on the game.
In the playoffs, he disappointed, especially in the final despite the final victory of the Nuggets. Signed at most two years ago, he did not justify this salary of “ $30 million » last season and as he is under contract until 2027, now is the time to prove that he is an essential player.
Average age: 26.6 years
Payroll: $191.9 million (6th)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
This is the strength of teams built on the Draft, with the same coach at the head, and whose core has been playing together for several years. Without really forcing themselves, the Nuggets quickly positioned themselves in the top three with a starting five without equivalent in the NBA (+13.1 differential per 100 possessions in 2022/23).
This quintet plays with their eyes closed, and in attack as in defense, we find the Nuggets of the playoffs with toughness in defense, and creativity in attack. Nikola Jokic is on course for a third MVP trophy in four years, and Jamal Murray is accompanying him to the All-Star Game.
More regular than the Suns and the Lakers, the Nuggets finished number 1 in the regular season, and we find them in the final to attempt a “back-to-back” which has not been achieved since the Warriors.
THE WORST SCENARIO
You miss only one person… Even if the attack still works and Nikola Jokic has fun with the defenses, the absence of Bruce Brown weighs. As Michael Porter Jr. is still not decided to give up on his legs, there are some gaps in defense, and the “second unit” lacks punch and an energizer.
This is all the more visible against the Lakers or even the Warriors. Young Watson and Braun are struggling to confirm the hopes placed in them, and the Nuggets have no margin over the competition.
Without forgetting the mental relaxation, almost normal, after winning the title. It’s a whole set of small elements that prevent the Nuggets, like the Bucks in 2022, from seeking a second title in a row. It remains to be seen whether the leaders of the Nuggets, unlike those of the Bucks, will maintain their confidence in this group until the end, or if they will make a major trade in February or July.
