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Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets’ Other FIBA Star

By Kevin C Keller

June 25, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw (center) and president Josh Kroenke (right) and executive vice president of basketball operations Tim Connelly (left) during a press conference held at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
June 25, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw (center) and president Josh Kroenke (right) and executive vice president of basketball operations Tim Connelly (left) during a press conference held at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kenneth Faried has made the Denver Nuggets look good in Spain for this summer’s FIBA World Championship tournament. Fueled by the Nuggets’ #GoFariedGoUSA Twitter campaign, it seems like the team and Nuggets fans have been focused on watching the Manimal lead Team USA to an undefeated record so far, dominating the international game.

But we’re missing something by being so fixated on Faried’s good play. There is another Nugget who’s impressed a lot of people in Spain, and despite being France’s best player in the World Championship so far, he’s flown completely under the radar.

Joffrey Lauvergne is a 6’11”, 240-pound forward, and he’s currently leading a decent French team in points per game (10.3), rebounds per game (4.5), and Player Efficiency Rating (10.8). Joffrey Lauvergne is also the Denver Nuggets’ 2013 second round draft pick who’s been “stashed” (playing in Europe when the Nuggets retain his NBA rights) because there was no room on the roster for him.

Aug 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; United States forward Kenneth Faried (18) is defended by Brazil center Tiago Splitter (15) during the second half at the United Center. The United States defeated Brazil 95-78. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; United States forward Kenneth Faried (18) is defended by Brazil center Tiago Splitter (15) during the second half at the United Center. The United States defeated Brazil 95-78. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Now, 10 points and 4.5 rebounds a game isn’t exactly dominant, especially considering FIBA isn’t the same level of competition that the NBA is. Lauvergne’s stats don’t make us dream of a NBA All-Star like Faried’s 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game averages for Team USA do, but it’s good to see the 2013 pick wasn’t wasted.

It’s always hard to use a draft pick for a player who can’t even play in the NBA right now, and that’s why many questioned the Lauvergne pick back in 2013. So it’s good to see Lavergne show some promise in leading the French to the quarterfinals and four wins in six games.

It gives the Nuggets even MORE depth in an already solid frontcourt. The Nuggets now have the rights to Kenneth Faried, J.J. Hickson, JaVale McGee, Timofey Mozgov, Jusuf Nurkic, Darrell Arthur, and a French forward who is showing some serious potenital in Lauvergne. Having him stashed in Europe with gives the Nuggets even more flexibility if they wanted to pull the trigger on a Mozgov or McGee trade as some rumors have suggested.

It also is a little more insurance on health to have a productive player stashed in Europe. McGee is coming off a season-ending injury, and every other player above sat out due to injury time last season, besides Mozgov. So, the saying is true that you can never have too many bigs when it comes to an NBA roster.

It also gives us Nugget fans a little extra motivation to watch more summer basketball. It’s been awesome watching Faired soar for rebounds and dunks in Spain so far, and it’ll be awesome seeing another Nugget help their national team to some wins as well. I’d be happy to see a Faried vs. Lauvergne in the gold medal game — the more experience for both players, the better.

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