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Denver Nuggets: Sending A Message Through J.J. Hickson

By Kevin C Keller

Mar 12, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw high fives center J.J. Hickson (7) against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Denver Nuggets defeated the Orlando Magic 120-112. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw high fives center J.J. Hickson (7) against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Denver Nuggets defeated the Orlando Magic 120-112. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson got suspended five games for violating the NBA’s drug policy last week, and head coach Brian Shaw should send a message about distractions through Hickson to the rest of the Nuggets players.

The Nuggets face an uphill climb in their quest to return to their playoffs next season, and the team’s depth is going to be a huge weapon against the Western Conference. They can’t afford off the court issues to limit them this season, because they need to win 50 games to make the playoffs in the West. J.J. Hickson’s suspension gives Nuggets head coach Brain Shaw an early chance to show his players that the team can’t afford similar mistakes this season.

Hickson was expected to be ready to go for training came after tearing his ACL late last season, but now the comeback’s delayed because of unrelated issues. Shaw should use only Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur, and even Jusuf Nurkic at power forward for at least two games after the suspension to show that minutes on this team are valuable, and bad mistakes will cost players those minutes. Shaw talks a big game about great practices, conduct, and professionalism from this team, and here’s his chance to back it up.

Dec 7, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward JJ Hickson (7) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nuggets defeated the Sixers 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward JJ Hickson (7) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nuggets defeated the Sixers 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The second-year coach has a lot of flexibility with the minutes in the frontcourt. I already mentioned Faried, Arthur, Nurkic, and Hickson as players who are fighting for minutes, but when you throw in the fact that Gallinari can play a little power forward, and the two-headed monster at center with JaVale McGee and Timofey Mozgov, it becomes real clear how tight the minutes will be for these Nuggets bigs.

That depth is key for the Nuggets to follow Shaw’s “wear em’ down with the starters, wear them out with the bench” fast-paced game plan, because the team can make sure players keep their legs fresh enough to play at 100 percent the whole game. Suspensions like J.J. Hickson’s most recent punishment hurts the Nuggets’ ability to execute.

Losing Hickson is not the worst suspension when it comes to talent, but it still hurts the Nuggets as they come out of the gates HOT. They play the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers in the first five games, and with McGee coming back from a season-ending injury as well, the Nuggets were probably planning on spreading the minutes out as much as possible to make sure the two McGee and Hickson aren’t rushed back too fast.

The Nuggets can’t afford to start slowly this year with the Portland Trail Blazers and Thunder racing to win the division. Luckily, a hot Kenneth Faried and solid Darrell Arthur should be able to shoulder the duties during Hickson’s suspension. However, the Nuggets can’t afford these distractions throughout the season to reach their playoff goals, and that’s why Brian Shaw has to try to eliminate them for the rest of the season by benching Hickson for two games past the suspension.

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