Denver Nuggets: 3 Biggest Takeaways From Media Day

Denver Nuggets media day at Pepsi Center officially kicked off Denver’s 2014-15 NBA season Monday, and Brian Shaw‘s team delivered with a first impression that this Nuggets team means business.

"“With the depth we have,” Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly told reporters, according to the Denver Post’s live blog, “we look forward to returning to the playoffs.”"

Way to get it out in the open as soon as possible, Connelly! Nuggets fans expect playoffs, and it’s good to see the organization is willing to recognize and accept the pressure that comes along with telling everyone you’re making the playoffs in the NBA’s trying Western Conference. The playoffs were a resounding theme for the Nuggets at media day, and it appears in Shaw’s second year the team will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after the losing season last year.

The three biggest takeaways from the day of camera flashes and tape recorders with the 2014-15 Denver Nuggets follow.

1) The Nuggets are counting on being healthy 

Surprise, Surprise! Health was a key theme in this year’s media day, and here I am writing about that familar theme again. At least it’s positive news to report this time, as the Nuggets mentioned they expect everyone, yes that means Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee, Nate Robinson, AND J.J. Hickson, to be ready for game number one.

"“Have Gallo back, having JaVale, it is going to be like coaching a different team,” Shaw told reporters in his joint press conference with GM Tim Connelly."

However, he mentioned none of the newly healthy Nuggets will be rushed back into 40 minutes of play a game, and that’s a good thing. It was frequently brought up that the Nuggets’ depth is a blessing, so they should use it to make sure they stay healthy this year. Tim Connelly even admitted things depend on staying healthy.

It feels like it’s been forever since the team’s been fully healthy though. Shaw echoed the thoughts of Nuggets fans everywhere when he summed it up in a single sentence:

"“(I’m) just really looking forward to the depth that this team will have with everybody healthy and available to play.”"

2) The Nuggets will be runnin’ and gunnin’, but admit defense is a part of doing that well

The Nuggets have been defined by the fast break since the team joined the NBA in 1976, and it didn’t take Brian Shaw long before realizing the “inside-out, half court” game doesn’t fit so well at 5,280 feet above sea level. During the coach’s press conference, he mentioned that the team played at a fast pace after the injuries of last year, but that they want to be even faster on offense this season.

"“I think the biggest thing that I found last year is that I wanted to play inside out,” Shaw told the press conference, “But the abilities of our players are different. There won’t be as much emphasis on half-court setup.”"

However the coach admitted that even with the increased pace, he’s looking to make sure the team can run a few sets when the game isn’t a drag race either. He told the reporters that the team will need to be balanced and still execute in the half court when it’s time. However, the main focus of the offense will clearly be using fresh legs to beat the other team down the floor. The second year coach mentioned he “doesn’t expect any drop off at any position” when he subs a player in.

Shaw’s also hoping those fresh legs can run better on the other side of the ball too. He mentioned that they are looking for a lot better rim protection this season, and that “one of the biggest improvements you’ll see this year will be on the defensive end.”

3) The Nuggets are seriously foucsed on leadership

Leadership and the names Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried, and Arron Afflalo went hand and hand at Nuggets’ media day 2014. It’s clear the organization is expecting these guys to step into even bigger roles on this team, and it seems as though both Shaw and Connelly expect the trio to set the example for the rest of the team.

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Arron Afflalo mentioned he wanted to be captain, Shaw said Lawson’s at the point in his career he has to become a leader or it may never happen, and Kenneth Faried said one of the biggest things that he brought back from the FIBA World Cup was how to be a leader. Now, one or two needs to put their actions where their mouth is. One of the three players will absolutely have to guide the players because coaching only goes so far. Luckily, all three have shown signs of stepping into the role right away.

Afflalo was arguably Orlando’s leader already last year. Kenneth Faried was named a leader for Team USA by Coach Krzyzewski this summer, and Shaw mentioned that Lawson spent all summer putting in the work needed to be a leader.

Best case scenario is that the trio can create a three-headed monster of leadership for the Nuggets. Faried with the energy and vocal side, Ty with the play calling and practice leadership, and Afflalo with the experience and off the court behavior. The Nuggets’ three best players have remarkably different talents, and that could spell a lot of wins if they use them to lead in their own ways.

Or, Ty could just be more like Peyton Manning. Brian Shaw mentioned (and Ty agreed to) having Lawson go to a Broncos practice to just observe how the quarterback directs his team.

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This is just the start of training camp coverage for us. With position battles to watch at center and small forward (not to mention the Nuggets backup roles), it’s going to be a fun camp. The journey to the playoffs begins today. The team’s already in better shape because Shaw will be able to spend less time with getting to know the team in his second training camp, and more time on finding his leadership and defense.