Tactics

Michael Malone has been the head coach of the Denver Nuggets since 2015, and has overseen a rebuilding project that has seen the team go from the shadows to the spotlight. Malone has helped solve Denver’s defensive issues that plagued the franchise for years, becoming efficient when without the ball. This is largely down to the immense improvements made by Nikola Jokic on defending screen-roll plays, as well as a healthy Paul Millsap. The addition of Porter Jr will help the Nuggets on defense too thanks to the forward’s impressive length and athleticism. The Nuggets actually employ a defense built to withstand the three-point threat, neutralising space and time for the shooter. On offense, Denver place great emphasis on ball-movement, using Jokic’s uncharacteristically good passing ability to draw up plays that other teams simply can’t; it is a team of effective passers. The threat of Jokic creates spaces of opportunity for shooters - such as MPJ, Murray - to hit clean shots and score.

Predicted 2019-20 Record: 57-25

Denver are difficult to beat at home, and are simply a different side when on the road. I expect Denver to gun for the number one seed - and get it - when entering playoffs. Jokic is the premier center in the game along with Joel Embiid of Philadelphia, and the Nuggets have quietly built a strong side around the big man. Their roster is diverse and appropriately mixes younger, exciting players such as Porter Jr and Jamal Murray with experienced veterans like Millsap. This is a team that will be tough to beat, but home-court advantage could be the critical difference between a first-round exit and a conference finals appearance. The question is: can they go to an away series in Los Angeles and win?