Author: Jonathan Peter

Written by Jonathan Peter on October 19, 2022.

It’s time! The Nuggets open the regular season TONIGHT against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. With this being one of the most anticipated seasons in the history of Nuggets Basketball, I wanted to talk about how a couple of unique stats (and one basic one) might factor into how successful the team can be this season.

Deflections & Loose Balls Recovered

Both of these stats fall under the “hustle” category on NBA.com and if you look at last season’s numbers, the Nuggets were below average on nearly every single hustle stat. This season, Denver has to flip that narrative around.

I chose deflections as one thing to watch for because it is a simple way for evaluating Denver’s engagement on defense. Last season, Denver was 20th in league when it came to deflections, generating 13.1 a game. Deflections can result in an opposing team being unable to generate the looks they want. Denver should get better numbers here because of the players added to their roster, but it won’t matter if the team is not locked in defensively. Will the Nuggets be able to keep teams out of their offensive flow?

Denver came in last place for loose balls recovered during the 2021-2022 season, only getting 4.3 a game. This measurement is strictly a result of how much effort a team is giving on a constant basis. If Denver can even increase last season’s average by one more loose ball recovered, it would drastically help come playoff time.

Minutes and Games Played

This stat is obvious, but it will determine how successful the Nuggets can be come playoff time. It has been clear that Nikola Jokic has been overworked over the course of the last two season because he has looked fatigued during the playoff series. There is nothing wrong about that, especially because of how depleted the Nuggets roster has been. This season, that could change because there are now reinforcements.

Overall, it will be interesting to see how Coach Malone manages everyone’s minutes this year, especially with Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray coming off of their injuries. Will Denver have the luxury to rest some key players? How many minutes will guys on the bench be getting throughout the year? My bold prediction is that Bruce Brown will be in the top-5 for minutes played this season.

I’m just so glad the Nuggets are back, this should be a hell of a season.

Written by Jonathan Peter on October 10, 2022.

It finally happened! Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. returned to the Denver Nuggets’ starting lineup during preseason matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls.

Although it is merely the preseason, there were still many encouraging moments from both players’ return which should excite Nuggets fans. Below, I’ve organized some clips from the Nuggets/Thunder contest which show off how drastically different this season’s team will be compared to last years.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=_DJJow9HjQg%3Fclip%3DUgkxi5J3NtZy4XlHl_s-N1uIzrz6NPEgDkKO%26clipt%3DEMqYBBiA5QQ

The Jamal Murray post up is a beautiful thing to witness. He punishes smaller guards whenever he gets the opportunity and I expect this to be a big part of his game this upcoming season. Also, if a help side defender comes to provide support, Murray will be able to dump the ball off to Aaron Gordon or whoever is in the dunker spot for an easy two points. Simple and easy offense for the Nuggets.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=_DJJow9HjQg%3Fclip%3DUgkxbAf2WUEqI2qfO-zVdg5dWiPV4RYWKkX8%26clipt%3DEIPpBBihqwU

This bailout three-ball from Murray is a great demonstration of what was missing from the Nuggets team last season. Last year’s team was so dependent on Nikola Jokic. If the ball was not in his hands with the shot clock winding down, it was assumed Denver would have an offensive possession resulting in zero points. But during this play, Murray takes the pressure off the team by knocking down a difficult side-step three pointer with ease. How relieving!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=_DJJow9HjQg%3Fclip%3DUgkxUgLY7ObowtrwPlwTS5mgb8AvmPzKcUjA%26clipt%3DEIq8BRji-wU

This clip might be my favorite of them all. The connection between Jokic/Murray/Porter is going to give opposing teams nightmares because of how difficult it will be to defend. Even on this play, Porter was not set to shoot after receiving the pass from Jokic. Imagine how crazy it will be when their chemistry is improved.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=_DJJow9HjQg%3Fclip%3DUgkxXGevGv02NhPk4dHTnKkgd6TUaw9OCmyX%26clipt%3DEICLBhjkzwY

This outlet pass from Jokic to Porter should become a staple of the Nuggets offense. This kind of play compliments both player’s strengths. Plus, Denver got an easy and successful “2-for-1” because of they were able to generate two offensive possessions at the end of the second quarter. These types of plays were certainly a rarity on last season’s team.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=_DJJow9HjQg%3Fclip%3DUgkx3JjxG1tqR-4_cLeikEICvttsIEpPwltW%26clipt%3DEITfBhiArgc

Murray’s buzzer-beater to end the second quarter was another incredible reminder of what he brings to this Nuggets’ team: someone who is fearless and capable of taking tough shots. Last season, some opposing teams would defend the Nuggets at the end of games by denying the ball from Nikola Jokic and forcing someone else to make a play. Denver did not have anyone who was consistent enough of capitalizing in those one-on-one situations. This season that changes with Jamal Murray’s return.

Other Notes:

Both Murray (left hamstring tightness) and Jokic (right wrist sprain) are doubtful for Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. I think the Nuggets are being precautionary with these injuries and it’s smart to let both players rest and recover. I doubt that both will play again this preseason because of how careful the team is bound to act with their star players.

If you guys back and watch the Oklahoma City game, Jokic minimally uses his right hand, so it is obvious that was bothering him. This injury showed up last season and in the 2020 playoffs, which makes me slightly concerned. Coach Malone said an MRI on Jokic’s wrist “showed nothing sinister”, which is some good news.

Murray’s injury occurred during Friday night’s game against the Bulls. Murray stated that he is fine, but Denver is going to be very careful with him for the rest of his career. I think it is fair to expect some ups and downs with Jamal’s return after such a long absence from basketball.

The Nuggets wrap up their preseason this week with games against the Suns on Monday, the Clippers on Wednesday, and the Warriors on Friday.

Written by Jonathan Peter on October 3, 2022.

The Nuggets are back! Well, almost. The preseason has arrived and Denver plays their first game against the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at Ball Arena.

“Championship” is a term which has been mentioned by members of the Nuggets organization, analysts, and fans (myself) when talking about this Nuggets squad. It’s fair to say aspirations surrounding the team are incredibly high and rightfully so. But, it’s important to remember that champions aren’t built overnight and this team has a lot of steps to go through before getting there.

Here are three areas to focus on while watching the team during the preseason.

The Starting Lineup

Nuggets PR sent out the game notes for tomorrow’s first preseason game against OKC at home.

Projected starters:
Murray
KCP
MPJ
AG
Jokić

— Katy Winge (@katywinge) October 2, 2022

Seeing Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back in the starting lineup brings me tears of joy. It’s been more than a full season since we’ve seen both Murray and Porter Jr. play live basketball. All of Nuggets nation is ready to welcome these two players back into the fold. It will also be nice to welcome offseason acquisition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the lineup.

There is likely going to be some chemistry which needs to be developed or renewed amongst the starters. Mainly, the chemistry between Jokic and Murray will be something to watch for. I expect there to be flashes of the dominant two-man game which was a staple for the team’s offense prior to Murray’s injury, but there will probably be some growing pains as well.

Jokic had to take on much more of the offensive generation for the team in place of Murray’s absence and it worked out well for the Nuggets, posting a 115.2 offensive rating last season according to Basketball Reference. It will be interesting to see how the team operates with the return of Murray and MPJ. Will everything still run through Jokic? And how much offensive creation do the rest of the starters have to contribute?

The Bench/Rotation

Zeke Nnaji has been playing the five for Denver at training camp. It sounds like that’s the position he’ll be playing most, at least at the start of the season. The Nuggets have simplified Nnaji’s role as more of a screener, roller and rebounder. He’s had a great camp overall.

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) September 30, 2022

Besides health, the biggest question mark surrounding the Nuggets has to be what will their bench unit look like. Nearly all of last season’s rotation players are not with the team anymore. Instead, new faces like Bruce Brown, Christian Braun, Ish Smith, and DeAndre Jordan fill the void.

I think we can pencil in Bruce Brown and Bones Hyland as guys that will play every night, but the rest of the rotation is up in the air. Will Christian Braun be able to solidify himself as the backup small forward or will that go to Davon Reed? Will Zeke Nnaji get to play over Jeff Green for power forward? Or will Nnaji play center minutes instead of DeAndre Jordan?

Despite all of the questions, that’s what the preseason is for. All of the players fighting for regular rotation minutes will play the majority of the time in the preseason. It will be important to take note of what works and how the different units jell together.

Energy

Energy is a subjective feeling to observe, but I think all championship caliber teams give off an aura that helps them be successful. A crucial area to watch is communication and how engaged all of the players are with each other.

The offense might come easier for this team because of the sheer amount of talent, but defense will be just as important. Generally, teams with elite defenses require the players to have solid communication and awareness skills. Let’s hope the Nuggets have those skills developed.

Overall, the Denver Nuggets appear to be in a good spot right now. Coach Michael Malone gave off an insightful answer about how this team feels different to him compared to past iterations. Malone’s comments are great to hear because off-court team chemistry is just as vital to the Nugget’s success as on-court chemistry is.

There’s a different vibe at Nuggets training camp this year. You sensed it from the players all week and Michael Malone spoke on it today. There’s a mature, calm, veteran, championship-ready feel to this team. pic.twitter.com/QUgefgVcUt

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) October 1, 2022

The preseason is the start of what should be an exciting season for this Denver Nuggets team.

Written by Jonathan Peter on September 20, 2022.

Last week, the NBA suspended Phoenix Suns Owner Robert Sarver because of workplace misconduct which has occurred since 2004, when Sarver bought the team. Sarver was fined $1 million and suspended for one year from attending games for the both the Suns and Mercury, which is the WNBA team Sarver is also owner of.

The suspension does not seem severe enough for Sarver’s behavior and players and fans made their opinions known.

"To think that someone like Robert Sarver that's acting in that manner can continue to represent us? That's bullshit"

—@Money23Green pic.twitter.com/uRQawmYEeo

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) September 20, 2022

Like many others, I reviewed the report. I was and am horrified and disappointed by what I read. This conduct especially towards women is unacceptable and must never be repeated.

— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 15, 2022

The players are feel horrible about the situation and rightfully so. This is a foolish look for the NBA, especially because of what Green stated on his podcast about the so-called progressive attitude of the league.

At this point, the players have no say in the discipline of an owner. The NBA investigation was conducted by an outside group and the punishment was decided on by Commissioner Adam Silver. This is where we can hope for change.

For long now, star NBA players have had a lot of power as far deciding where they want to play. They have leverage in free agency, but besides that, there isn’t much they can do.

The National Basketball Players Association should have a say in the punishment for owners when there are investigations, such as this past one. It is unfair that this kind of behavior receives little repercussions from the league itself.

The NBPA needs to find a way to garner more power during the next collective bargaining agreement in order to have a say on issues like this. Player empowerment can mean more than star players deciding what team they want to play for. It can mean being able to have a say on significant issues which occur in the league which they work for.

Written by Jonathan Peter on September 13, 2022.

The NBA and NBPA are still working to finalize the In Season Tournament concept, which includes to-be-determined prizes for the eight teams that advance to the single-elimination round, sources said. https://t.co/j5Sr54WUEJ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 9, 2022

Recent news dropped that NBA is planning on implementing an in season tournament and it could start as early as the 2023-2024 season. The framework for the proposed tournament is above in the Shams Charania tweet or here is a link to an article from CBS Sports.

There has been a lot of pushback against this idea and rightfully so. The details which have been released are unclear and there is no particular reason for why a midseason tournament is even necessary. Well, that may be a slightly untrue.

The NBA is in a bit a of predicament. Ever since the 2020 pandemic, the league has been concerned about lower viewership numbers, even though they bounced back last season. In addition to this, “load management” of star players has factored into league’s decisions as well. The league wants to incentivize teams to play their star players instead of sitting out games and they hope new challenges, like the tournament, can help with that.

Unfortunately, this plan does not seem sufficient to satisfy the NBA’s craving to improve their product. The tournament is not going to shrink the season. All teams are still going to have to complete an 82 game season. This is one of the biggest sticking points for why stars do not play every single game. Teams who have aspirations of being competitive in the playoffs want to preserve their important players because of injury risk. The proposed tournament does not appear to alleviate the problem.

Also, if the league wants to improve viewership and ratings, why wouldn’t every single franchise be involved in the tournament? What is the purpose of having only having eight teams play in separate games that could be more valuable than others?

If the league is going to continue forward with an in season tournament, it will be important for them to include all 3o franchises. The teams need to be incentivized to participate and compete to make the idea worthwhile.

The prize for winning the tournament needs to be quality. Some potential ideas for the winning tournament team could be an automatic playoff berth or an additional first round draft pick in the upcoming draft. This could encourage all franchises to take the tournament seriously.

In order for players to be receptive to the tournament idea, the NBA needs to show consideration for them. This could mean shortening the 82 games season by 10 to 20 games depending on the calendar length of the tournament itself. This might be the best way to improve the quality of games throughout the season. If the season is shortened, there would be no need for games in back-to-back nights, or situations where teams play three games in four nights.

The shortening of the season could be a league sending a message to the players as well. It shows that the league is displaying some consideration for the health of the players, while asking them to play every game that they are healthy. It seems like a fair compromise which can be reached.

A shorter season could be benefit the NBA in a backhanded way. Less games during the regular season could mean less battling with the other sports leagues, such as the NFL and MLB, for viewership. Of course television contracts may prohibit schedule changes though.

It is good that the NBA wants to improve their product. But they need to be careful with how they approach the situation. If it goes poorly, the league will continue to be stuck in the dire spot they currently in.

Written by Bailey Bassett

With the NBA draft on Thursday, June 23, basketball fans are in for one of the craziest drafts in recent memory. With several candidates for the number one pick and a super deep class that has talent well into the second round, Bailey Bassett predicts who he thinks will go where.

1. Magic, Jabari Smith, PF, Auburn

Any of the top three prospects would make sense for the Magic, but the expectation is that Orlando will take Smith. The Auburn freshman has a case as both the best perimeter defender and the best three-point shooter in the class. If Smith can improve his handle and his inside finishing efficiency then the sky is the limit for the forward. If not, Smith still has an extremely high floor because of the things he can do that most can’t at 6-foot-10-inches tall.

2. Thunder, Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

The Gonzaga product is a perfect fit for the Thunder. He fills a dire need for a big in the front court, and he provides spacing and off-ball shooting for OKC’s ball-dominant guards. Holmgren is more of a power forward than a center in my opinion, but regardless his rim protection will allow him to be the defensive anchor that a young Thunder team needs.

3. Rockets, Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke 

After trading away Christian Wood, acquiring a front-court player like Banchero makes sense. In Houston, he forms a dynamic young pairing with last year’s number two overall pick, Jalen Green. Banchero may be the readiest of the rookies to score right from the get-go. His playmaking skills will also complement Green’s score-first mentality. Some may be concerned that the front-court pairing with Alperen Sengun might be a little redundant and will lack some on the defensive end. However, Banchero has a case as the best player in this class and the Rockets are too far away from contention to worry about fit. 

4. Kings, Jaden Ivey, SG, Purdue

The top three prospects are somewhat of a consensus. Sacramento is the first pick where something unexpected may happen. Ivey is not a seamless fit considering the Kings took a guard (Davion Mitchell) in the first round last year, and De’Aaron Fox thrived after the acquisition of Domantas Sabonis. Still, Ivey would give the Kings the fastest backcourt in the league and is the best player available. He displayed the ability to play off-ball at Purdue as well. 

5. Pistons, A.J. Griffin Jr., SG, Duke

Griffin shot 45 percent from three for Duke, giving him a surefire elite skill set that will translate to the next level. The sniper is uber-efficient across the board and will be a great kick-out option for Cade Cunningham. The only concerns with Griffin are injury-related. He has an NBA body and if the injuries are past him the hope is he can regain a little bit more of the athleticism that he showed off in high school. 

6. Pacers, Keegan Murray, PF, Iowa

With all of the trade rumors surrounding their veterans, the Pacers seem to be embracing a rebuild. Because of that, they may not like drafting an older prospect again in the lottery a year after taking Chris Duarte (24 when drafted). But Murray may be too good to pass on. Iowa’s star has a super versatile skillset as he is the only prospect since 2008 with at least 50 dunks and 50 three-point makes in a college season. Murray can play on or off-ball and fits in almost any lineup configuration. 

7. Trailzbalers, Dyson Daniels, SG, G League Ignite

The undersized backcourt pairing of CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard didn’t work out and Portland was forced to blow things up last season. Pairing Lillard with a jumbo, defensive-minded guard, seems like a likely path for the Blazers.

8. Pelicans, Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona

Mathurin seems like a lock to be an NBA contributor. The former Wildcat is a three-level scorer who has good potential on the defensive end. New Orleans was the fourth-worst three-point shooting team last season and now they have another interior-oriented player returning from injury in Zion Williamson. Adding as many three-point threats as possible makes sense this season and for the foreseeable future for the Pelicans.  

9. Spurs, Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

At 6-foot-10-inches, 250 pounds, Duren is a freak of nature. Duren should be entering his freshman year of college had he not reclassified. A switchable big and rim protection extraordinaire, Duren projects as a force on the defensive end. While he is still raw offensively, Duren flashed some moments of brilliance and is still very young (18). He also serves as a possible succession plan for Jakob Poeltl, who is entering the last year of his contract. 

10. Wizards, Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

After not playing a game last season for Kentucky, Sharpe seems like a prime candidate to fall in the draft. The Wizards would end the slide because the potential is too immense with Sharpe. Sharpe would bring shot-making ability and an athletic prowess to Washington. The Wizards are desperate for more self-creators outside of Bradley Beal. 

11. Knicks, Ousmane Dieng, SF, NZ Breakers

You can’t rely on Derrick Rose to play a full season at this stage in his career and Immanuel Quickly is better served in a combo guard role. While there isn’t a point guard worth taking at this stage, the Knicks bring in one of the best passers in the class. Dieng has an impressive ability to find open players from a distance. After a rough start to his season in the NBL, Dieng really found his footing in the back half of his season. The Knicks also desire more three-point shooters and that is one of Dieng’s best attributes. While Dieng will have a lot of rookie moments in his first season, he makes up for it with his potential and by bringing the skills that New York needs.

12. Thunder, Johnny Davis, SG, Wisconsin

Johnny Davis is a better player than his draft position in this mock would suggest. Oklahoma City is still early in their rebuilding process and they would be thrilled to scoop up a draft day faller like Davis. While the backcourt would be very crowded after this selection, bringing in the defense of Davis and Holmgren would jump-start the Thunder’s rebuild. Another defensive specialist guard may become a priority anyways if the Thunder move on from Lu Dort as they are rumored to.

13. Hornets, Ochai Agbaji, SG, Kansas

After playing four seasons at Kansas, Agbaji is a plug-and-play wing who will contribute in a three-and-D role right away. Charlotte seems likely to trade Gordon Hayward away, so bringing in his replacement on a rookie deal would be smart.

14. Cavaliers, Jalen Williams, SG, Santa Clara

Williams was the best passer for Santa Clara so he should fit well with the Cavaliers roster that has a mix of ball-dominant, scoring-minded players, as well as bigs who need the ball fed to them. Williams also provides a variety of ways to score himself.

15. Hornets, Mark Williams, C, Duke

The Hornets play chess while everyone else plays checkers here and get perhaps their top target with their second pick. Knowing the Cavaliers likely won’t take another big man, Williams falls right into the Hornet’s lap to answer their questions for the five-man position. Williams blocks shots and finishes plays in the paint, but his ability to run the floor in transition will shine alongside LaMelo Ball.

16. Hawks, Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

The Hawks are desperate to add talent on the defensive side of the ball alongside Trae Young. Sochan brings just that as he is one of the most positionally versatile defenders in the class. While his scoring skillset needs work, Sochan can take some of the playmaking burden off of Young as well thanks to his point-forward playstyle on offense. He has the potential to outplay this draft slot if he becomes league average from deep.

17. Rockets, Tari Eason, SF, LSU

Eason is commonly mocked as Houston’s second pick, and for good reason. The Rockets need more wings that can play off-ball and provide defense. Eason is super aggressive on defense and is one of the best stock (steals and blocks) players in recent college history. He needs to improve his left hand, but he can hit open threes and make athletic plays.

18. Bulls, E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

Chicago has an already thin front court and injuries forced guards into unideal positions last season. Liddell can play the four or small-ball five because of his shot-blocking ability. While his size limits his ceiling, Liddell can likely contribute to Chicago’s playoff aspirations right away. 

19. Wolves, Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State

Buckeyes go back-to-back in the late teens. Branham is a great midrange scorer who really came onto the scene late at Ohio State. While I’m lower than most on Branham due to a lack of explosion and suspect defense, some experts peg him as a lottery guy.

20. Spurs, Nikola Jovic, PF, Serbia

Too often San Antonio prospects are labeled as “Spurs type of picks” but Jovic really fits the bill. An international prospect, Jovic is a crafty player with playmaking and deep ball shooting ability. His defense is a disaster right now but players like Dejounte Murray, Devin Vassell, Poeltl, and the previously drafted Duren, can hopefully mask that.

21. Nuggets, Marjon Beauchamp, SF, G League Ignite

Any Nuggets fan will tell you that Denver needs defense at the point of attack and length on the wing. Beauchamp may not have all-star potential, but he is an effort player with great on-ball defense. That’s the exact type of player Denver needs. Beauchamp even has untapped potential on the offensive side as a self-creator and spot-up shooter. 

22. Grizzlies, TyTy Washington, PG, Kentucky

I’m not stoked about Washington as a prospect but he can’t fall forever. Washington does thrive in the midrange and is a good pick-and-roll ball handler. The Grizzlies may need a backup point guard depending on if Tyus Jones leaves in free agency. Star point guard Ja Morant plays extremely aggressively and has had some injuries early in his career so it could be smart to acquire a guard like Washington, both as insurance, and also as someone who could play with Morant off-ball as he did a lot in college. 

23. 76ers, Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite

This is way too low for Hardy to go in my opinion but it seems unlikely that he goes much earlier. The once top pick candidate still has major upside. He can score from anywhere on the court and has all of the dribble combinations in his bag. In Philadelphia Hardy will have to learn that he isn’t the go-to guy with MVP candidate Joel Embiid running the show. Still, he can score in bunches and be a major spark plug off of the bench behind James Harden and Tyrese Maxey. Hardy is the seventh-ranked player on my big board. 

24. Bucks, Bryce McGowens, SG, Nebraska 

Milwaukee still has their championship core intact so the raw McGowens may not play right away. Learning under all-stars like Jrue Holliday and Khris Middleton could be the exact thing McGowns needs to reach his potential. Even if he isn’t likely to contribute from day one, the playoffs proved that the Bucks covet another self-creator. Middleton’s scoring was missed in the playoffs and McGownes is a similarly lanky wing who can create his own shot, therefore providing a path to playing time for the Cornhusker.

25. Spurs, Dalen Terry, SG, Arizona

With three picks in the first round, snagging a versatile and multi-positional player like Terry makes sense. Terry is a team-first player who will contribute on defense and as a passer.

26. Rockets, Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee 

Kevin Porter Jr. has been a mysterious case during his time in the NBA and he is not a true point guard. The Rockets may be inclined to pick up another point guard and Chandler is the top option available. While undersized, Chandler makes up for his 6-foot stature with an impressive wingspan and a pesky style of defense. His shooting efficiency wasn’t great in college but he possesses the ability to score.

27. Heat, Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forrest 

PJ Tucker is an impending free agent and the Heat are thin at power forward regardless of if he returns or not. LaRavia may not have the highest ceiling but he does have play now potential. He can hit open three-pointers and gives good effort on defense. 

28. Warriors, Christian Braun, SG, Kansas

The champions have gone with upside picks like Jonathon Kuminga and James Wiseman in recent drafts. Getting a sure-thing rotation player with a good floor like Braun could be the next step to bridging the dynasty players with the young core. Braun is a great athlete, plays solid defense, and can hit the three-ball.

29. Grizzlies, Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

Drafting Kessler to a deep Memphis team would allow the Auburn product to learn under, and eventually replace Steven Adams. While Kessler doesn’t offer much else right now besides rim protection, he was a historically great shot blocker in college. Pairing that with last year’s top shot-blocker (Jaren Jackson Jr.) would give players nightmares about attacking the rim. 

30. Nuggets, Wendell Moore Jr., SG, Duke 

It seems likely that Denver will look to move one of or both of their first-round picks. If they keep both then walking away with Beauchamp and Moore would be a dream scenario. Moore is super versatile as he can make three-pointers, he rebounds the ball well for his size, and he is a great playmaker for his position. 

31. Pacers, Max Christie SG, Michigan State

32.  Magic, Trevor Keels, SG, Duke

33. Raps, David Roddy, PF, CSU

34. Thunder, Patrick Baldwin Jr., PF, Milwaukee 

35. Magic, Christian Koloko, C, Arizona

36. Trailblazers, Gabriele Procida, SF, Fortitudo Bologna

37. Kings, Kendall Brown, SF, Baylor

38. Spurs, Andrew Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga

39. Cavaliers, Caleb Houston, SF, Michigan

40. Timberwolves, Moussa Diabate, PF, Michigan

41. Pelicans, Jaylin Williams, C, Arkansas

42. Knicks, Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

43. Clippers, Ismael Kamagate, C, Paris

44. Hawks, Ryan Rollins, PG, Toledo

45. Hornets, Hugo Benson, PG, NZ Breakers

46. Pistons, Josh Minott, PF, Memphis

47. Grizzlies, Julian Champagnie, SF, St. John’s

48. Timberwolves, Jabari Walker, PF, CU

49. Kings, Dominick Barlow, PF, Overtime Elite

50. Timberwolves, Peyton Watson, SF, UCLA

51. Warriors, Khalifa Diop, C, Gran Canaria

52. Pelicans, J.D. Davison, SG, Alabama

53. Celtics, Jean Montero, PG, Overtime Elite

54.  Bucks Forfeit Pick

55. Heat Forfeit Pick

56. Wizards, Keon Ellis, SG, Alabama

57. Warriors, Collin Gillespie, PG, Villanova

58. Cavalaiers, Orlando Robinson, C, Fresno State

59. Trailblazers, Ron Harper Jr., PF, Rutgers

60. Pacers, Kenneth Lofton Jr., PF, La Tech

Written by Jonathan Peter

On Saturday evening, the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors kick off their best-of-7 game playoff series. The series opens in San Francisco at the newly-constructed Chase Center for Games 1 and 2, before coming to Denver for Games 3 and 4. The Nuggets come in as heavy underdogs to win this series and not many folks are giving them a chance to come away as winners.

The doubts about the Nuggets are fair. With no Michael Porter Jr. or Jamal Murray (maybe Jamal returns?? Who knows?), Denver displays an obvious lack of offensive fire power compared to the championship grizzled Warriors. It also appears Steph Curry will be set to return from his left foot injury in time for Saturday nights game. With very few folks giving them a shot, it’s time for the Nuggets to embody their postseason motto by being the relentless team which they can be.

The Backcourt: Advantage Golden State

Both teams have apparent advantages over the other. Let’s start with the backcourt, where the Warriors are much better. Golden State’s backcourt, consisting of the Splash Brothers Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole, keep defenses up at night. Fans know about the heaters which Steph and Klay have had in the past, so many have been calling Jordan Poole an “X-factor” in this series which is preposterous to me. He is a damn good player and if the Nuggets do not plan to defend him the same way they defend Curry and Thompson, this series will be over before we can blink. The Splash Bros. shoot a combined 37.6% from the perimeter and that includes all of the ridiculous shots they fire up. Anytime one of the Brothers hits a three, you can feel the momentum of the game change, and their opponents are left helpless.

The Nuggets have to do their best at trying to contain these fellows. Austin Rivers is going to see plenty of run during this series because he has been Denver’s best perimeter defender this season. Rivers opponents’ shoot 36.1% when he is the primary defender. This is not a great percentage, but you hope his physicality is able to bother whoever he is matched up with. Rivers cannot defend everyone on the perimeter, so it is imperative that Monte Morris, Will Barton, Bones Hyland, and Bryn Forbes (if he gets any playing time), do their best on the defensive end as well. By doing their best, I mean that they can’t afford to take any possessions off. This series is going to be so tight that one defensive lapse can cost you a game, maybe even a series. The Nuggets guards need to stay sharp because their frontcourt should carry the load for the team on offense.

Offensively, I think the Nuggets guards need to be cautiously aggressive. With Nikola Jokic being the fulcrum of everything this Nuggets team does, Golden State will be paying the most attention to him. This will open up ample opportunities for the Nuggets perimeter players to have open shots and driving lanes to get to the basket. Of course, the best course of action is to run everything through the back-to-back MVP, but when the time comes, the Nuggets backcourt needs to be ready to strike.

The Frontcourt: Advantage Denver

Just like Golden State’s obvious advantage with their backcourt, Denver has the supreme frontcourt. Led by Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jeff Green, I think the Nuggets will absolutely obliterate the Warriors “big men” (none are taller than 6’9″). Self-proclaimed “Greatest Defender of all-time” Draymond Green provides Golden State with their best defense against the reigning MVP and crew, but I do not think that is enough to slow down Denver’s bigs. Say Green is defending Jokic in one-on-one situations, I would say that 80% of the time Jokic is getting a bucket. If Golden State goes with veteran Kevon Looney on Jokic, that is also money in the bank for the Nuggets. I’m certain that Golden State will send plenty of double teams at Joker, which opens up passing lanes for Denver’s forwards to cut for, which results in more easy points for Denver.

Jeff Green and Aaron Gordon are my “X-Factors” for this series. Even though both players are starters, I have feeling that wins and losses in this series are going to be dependent on how these two forwards play. Green and Gordon need to impose their physicality against this Warriors frontcourt, who are much smaller individuals. During the regular season series, Gordon and Green combined to shoot 42% from the field against the Warriors. Improving that percentage up a few points can really change the dynamic in this series. Green and Gordon need to be viable second options next to Jokic because he will be looking for them. On the offensive and defensive glass, the two forwards have to be monsters, looking to snag every board. Again, second-chance points can be a way for Denver to win or lose this series.

The Bench: No Advantage

Both the Warriors and the Nuggets have decent bench players. There is a high likelihood that both coaches have a bench player or two in their closing units during games in this series. I’ve already mentioned Bones and Austin Rivers for the Nuggets as be key role guys, but I think Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga can be the same level of difference maker for the Warriors. It’s crazy how two rookies, Hyland and Kuminga can have a huge swing in this series. However, it is difficult to measure the impact bench players can have in this series. They can either tip their team closer to winning or losing games. Both teams should hope that their bench units, or heavily staggered bench units can essentially break even during this series.

A Couple Other Considerations

I think Nikola Jokic will have the best playoff series of his career. I think he will average 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists per game this series. He will be shouldering the load for the Nuggets, just like he has all season. The question is who steps up with him? I think it will be someone different every night.

How will the Nuggets respond to the quick runs that Golden State notoriously goes on throughout the series? Are they going to start playing sporadically on offense, or will they show resolve and maturity. I am also curious to see how Coach Malone reacts to momentum shifts during games.

This is the first time in three years that the Warriors have made the playoffs. They did have one of the most dominant runs in NBA history prior to their short postseason drought. However, this team is much different than the prior ones where they won championships. This has to have some effect on the series and I think it is a good thing for Denver. After all, this is the Nuggets’ fourth consecutive playoff appearance and they can use the chemistry to their advantage.

I am curious to see how Denver imposes themself this series. I would like to see them be the more physical team in this series. Sometimes when teams are not as talented or are undermanned, this strategy can payoff in quantifiable dividends.

My Pick: Denver in 7

Personally, I believe there is a revolution happening in the NBA. There are new stars who are snatching the grips of the league away from older ones. Teams that were once dominate, are now finding themselves in dogfights with younger, hungrier squads. Denver has an opportunity to take down the once mighty Warriors, and I think they will rise to the occasion.

Denver has had to claw their way to wins throughout the regular season and it would not surprise me to see them shock the world. I can’t imagine Denver going out as sorry as they did against Phoenix in last year’s second round series. The Nuggets play the best when no one gives them a shot and I do not expect them to fold. Let’s hope for a competitive and fun series and that the Nuggets get revenge for their 2013 playoff loss.

Written By Jonathan Peter on December 28th, 2021.

The Denver Nuggets are headed into a two-game miniseries against the Golden State Warriors. Both teams will host each other once on their home courts. The first battle is on Tuesday in San Francisco at the Chase Center, and the second is in Denver at Ball Arena.

After two horrendous loses the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets, the Nuggets were able to scrap past the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday Night. Despite the lackluster play, the Nuggets find themselves 5th(!) in the Western Conference at 16-16. Two wins against the Warriors, who currently hold the best record in the NBA, could provide the morale boost this team needs. Also, Denver could gain some separation in the standings amongst the teams below them in the conference.

Winning two games consecutively against Golden State sounds challenging, but it’s very much possible for Denver. The Warriors will be without some of their key guys Draymond Green and Jordan Poole due to health and safety protocols, which is huge for Denver. Currently, the Warriors are top-5 in the association in field goal percentage (47.2%), three-point percentage (36.7%), rebounds (46.4 per game), and assists (28.1 per game). Expect the rebound and assist numbers to be slightly below their average because Green leads the Warriors in both categories. It’s likely that Steph Curry will be manufacturing more of his own shots over these two games due to a lack of playmakers because of injuries.

Denver can win these games by playing top notch defense. According to the hustle stats on NBA.com, the Nuggets are below league average in contested 2-point shots (28.6) and 3-point shots (19.3). Denver needs to play above their norm and contest every shot the Warriors put up. Since both teams are shorthanded, the level of effort each team puts forth is going to be critical in determining who will win these matchups. Let’s hope the Nuggets are ready to play in both games.

Turnovers are an area the Nuggets can exploit the Warriors in. Golden State averages 16 turnovers per game, second highest in the NBA, and the Nuggets will need to make them pay. With the Warriors having a flood of new players due to COVID, the Nuggets better ready to take advantage of their miscues. Transition offense is an area where Denver have struggled all year. They will need to tighten up and make the Warriors pay for their mistakes.

All eyes will be on the matchup of the superstars, Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry. Both MVP candidates have been having stellar seasons and it will be exciting to watch them go head-to-head. Expect the Warriors to defend similar to how the LA Clippers and Charlotte Hornets did. If the Nuggets try to do a pick and roll, the Warriors will most likely switch and with a lengthy defender who denies the pass to Joker. They will also collapse on him in the paint with multiple defenders, making it difficult for him to pass out, but also daring Denver’s wings and guards to shoot. Denver is going to need big time shot making from all of their perimeter players.

It should be a fun couple of games. I am optimistic the Nuggets can end the calendar year off strong.

By Jonathan Peter on December 3, 2021

On Sunday Night, at Arrowhead Stadium, the Denver Broncos (6-5) will play their most important game in years as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs (7-4). Despite the up and down season, Denver finds themselves with a golden opportunity to obtain first place in the division with a win against the fierce division rival.

The Broncos have been widely inconsistent this season, which causes many fans to believe that winning on Sunday night is highly unlikely. Denver’s erratic play is not the only factor raising doubt in fans’ minds. The Broncos have lost their last 11 straight matchups against the Chiefs, along with having a record of 3-19 when playing in Arrowhead during the month of December. On top of that, Kansas City currently holds the second highest odds to win the Super Bowl, according to Caesars Sportsbook.

Daunting, right? The odds seem to be stacked against the Denver Broncos. I don’t believe so. Here’s how the Broncos can shock NFL fans around the world during the freshly flexed Primetime game.

(All of my statistical references are thanks to Pro Football Reference.)

On offensive, Denver is going up against the 12th ranked Chiefs defense coached by Steve Spagnuolo. Kansas City likes to blitz a decent amount as they have a 30.6% blitz percentage on the season and have generated QB pressures on 27.3% of dropbacks against them. The Broncos should be able to combat this with the return of Garett Bolles and Bobby Massie at both tackle positions. Additionally, Denver can manipulate the battle in the trenches by running the football effectively. The Chiefs give up 4.6 yards per rushing attempt. For reference, Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon averaged 4.4 yards per attempt last week against LA. An effective game plan for the Broncos would be to replicate something similar to their 31 rushing attempts last week. This would allow Denver to win the time of possession battle, as well as keeping Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense off the field.

The Broncos should not be afraid of throwing the ball on Sunday Night either. The Chiefs secondary is weak, posting a 66.9% completion percentage against them. Kansas City has given up 1,515 yards after the catch this season, which is fifth most in the NFL. It’s time for Pat Shurmur to scheme plays to get the ball into the hands of his offensive weapons against a below average defense. It’s time for Jerry Juedy, Noah Fant, and Albert Okwuegbunam to get the ball in space.

It’s simple for Vic Fangio this week. If he wants to continue to be head coach of the Denver Broncos for the upcoming season, he needs to put together one his best game plans for Sunday night’s game. Fangio deserves credit for how the defense rattled Justin Herbet and he needs to do the same with Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City has turned the ball over 22 times this season, second worst in the league only trailing the New York Jets. They do not look as sharp as they have in past seasons, whether its balls going through their hands in the passing game or fumbling the ball on running downs. For instance, Travis Kelce has a drop percentage of 9.3%, which is incredibly high for player who is a major component of their offense. Mahomes has a bad throw percentage of 19.4% and an interception percentage of 2.4% with 11 picks on the year. Denver’s secondary has been stellar this season, allowing opposing quarterbacks to only complete 58.6% of their passes. The Broncos need to be ready to pounce on opportunities for turnovers because there will be numerous opportunities against the Chiefs offense. I predict the Denver defense getting one pick-six in the contest.

The speed and athleticism of Kenny Young and Barron Browning gives Denver a chance at limiting big plays from Kelce, who has hurt them many times over the past few seasons. Coach Fangio also stated they may throw Pat Surtain II and Justin Simmons in coverage of Kelce. Denver cannot forget about the speed of Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Byron Pringle.

Denver has to be ready to defend the run-pass option plays the Chiefs offense presents. Neither of the Chiefs running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire (fantasy bust) or Darell Williams have been super impactful, and Denver’s D needs to continue this trend. The Broncos weakness in run defense cannot be exposed during this game. If Denver’s front four generates pressure throughout the game, they can neutralize the explosive elements of the KC offense and force turnovers.

The final important factor to the Sunday night’s game is going to be the battle on third down. According to ESPN, the Chiefs convert 51.52% of third downs on offense and give up 39.68% of third downs on defense. The Broncos struggle in this area, converting 37.68% on offense and give up 44.14% on defense. Denver needs to flip the script on this element of the game. They need to convert on third down to extend drives, while stopping Kansas City to get them off the field. It’s easier said than done, especially for the Broncos.

My final score prediction is 31-21, Broncos. The Broncos offense needs to start the game off by getting the lead, forcing the Chiefs to play from behind. Denver needs to be aggressive, yet cautious, not abandoning the run game quickly if they struggle or trail early on in the game. The Broncos defense needs to limit the number of Kansas City big plays and force Patrick Mahomes to make some poor decisions.

Let’s be optimistic Broncos Country. Sunday night should be a fun one.

The Denver Nuggets brought their six-game losing skid to a halt with a resounding 120-111 win over the Miami Heat. Miami was without their tough guys in Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, while Denver was without JaMychal Green.

The final score does not emphasize how great of game this was for the Nuggets. Denver shot a blistering hot 51% from three and 58% from the field overall.

What could this be attributed to? Some new hairdos? A “hostile” crowd? Oh, that’s right. The best player in the world made his return to the Nuggets’ lineup!

Nikola Jokic proved his dominance during his 33 minutes of game time. He had 24 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and was a +17 in the plus/minus. A brilliant return for the reigning MVP after missing 4 games with a right wrist sprain. He has a current PER of 35.3, which is on pace for the greatest individual season ever.

Jokic started the game with an aggressive approach which benefited the rest of the team immensely. Not including Jokic, the starters combined for 57% shooting from the field. What makes Denver dangerous is when they score at all three levels- the paint, the midrange, and the perimeter. The Nuggets scored 44 points in the paint and 54 points from three. Overall, just a very solid performance and it came on a night where Denver was desperate for a win.

The bench deserves credit for their performance as well. Led by 19 points from rookie Bones Hyland, who also returned from injury, the bench unit scored 39 points. Malone went with a nine-man rotation for the majority of the game, with Rivers, Campazzo, Nnaji, and Hyland getting the majority of the minutes off the bench. These four players shot a combined 61% from the field and 64% from three. It was nice to see the second unit have a great game with the criticism they have received.

It’s important to note the impact that Jokic has on small aspects of the game, which Denver severely lacked during their four games without him. The Nuggets are a much better team in transition with Jokic being the driving force. After each defensive rebound, Jokic is constantly looking up to find his open teammates. Occasionally, this leads to easy fast break points for Denver. Even though Denver only scored 12 fast break points in this game, it was encouraging to see this back in the game plan because this is how Denver can have a high-powered offense when they are down Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. The Nuggets defense also looked much better with the Joker back as the anchor.

Denver continues their two week-long road trip with the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. It will be nice to see Gary “Gary Harris” Harris and RJ Hampton again, but hopefully Denver continues their winning ways.