Welcome to the inaugural edition of eDraft’s NBA Season Preview. We turn our attention to the Northwest Division, covering everyone from the pretenders to the contenders. Today we take a look at the Nuggets. The most exciting team in the NBA improved in the off-season, but do they have what it takes to win the championship?
Key additions: Andre Iguodala (G), Anthony Randolph (F), Evan
Fournier (20th overall, G/F), Quincy Miller (38th overall, from GS, F)
Denver is the team that we all wish were our own. If you like lots of running, crisp passing, efficient three point shooting, and players who are versatile enough to play multiple positions then this is your team. Denver was more fun to watch than any other team last year, and this summer they improved.
Andre Igudala’s (12.4PPG-5.5APG-6.1RPG-17.59PER) move from the Sixers to the Nuggets was somewhat understandably overshadowed by L.A.’s acquisition of Dwight Howard in the same trade, but the deal just might finally make the Nuggets a contender.
Less than two seasons after trading Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks in return for current Nuggets Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov, Denver has the deepest team in the West. The hyper-athletic Igudala will be paired up with the speedster Ty Lawson to form one of the most entertaining backcourts in the league. There are few defenders who can stay in front of either player, and coach George Karl has indicated that he has given Lawson the green light to run. Both players can penetrate and get to the rim, and while neither would be mistaken for a deep threat, Gallinari (14.6PPG-4.7RPG-32% 3P%-16.5PER) should be able to fill that role.
In fact, Gallinari can pretty much do it all. One of the best passers in the league at 6’10” Gallinari is also an excellent three point shooter and underrated ball handler—play too close to him and he will beat you off the dribble. The Italian should get most of his minutes at the small forward spot, but again, due to his versatility, expect Gallo to gets some time at the four. This is a nightmare scenario for opponents, because when they play small the Nuggets are near impossible to guard.
Of course when the Nuggets go small they also have trouble guarding the opposition. Kenneth Faried (10.2 PPG-7.7RPG-21.9 PER) had an outstanding rookie season for Denver last year and should help improve defensively this season as he learns the game. Center JaVale McGee (11.3PPG-7.8RPG-2.2BLKPG-19.9PER) is a very good shot blocker, but is not a strong defender otherwise. Perhaps Igudala will bring some defensive toughness to this ball club, Mozgov will learn to move his feet, Chandler will maintain consistent defensive energy, and McGee will make the necessary rotations.
The talent is here to make something special happen, and the offense will be outstanding once again, but the title is never won without a top-notch defense. Remember, Showtime in L.A. was fun, but there was also real tenacity below the surface and its not clear yet if Denver possesses it.
Reason for optimism: What if Faried worked on his jump shot this summer and could hit the 12-footer a la Charles Oakley?
Reason for pessimism: On a team with lots of options on offense but no go-to guy, Igudala finds himself in familiar territory. You cannot win without a superstar no matter how much we wish it otherwise.
Projected record: 49-33