Denver Nuggets: 2013-14 NBA Preview

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2012-13 Vitals

57-25, 2nd in Northwest Division, 3rd in Western Conference

106.1 PPG/101.1 OPP PPG

Ty Lawson needs to be the leader of this reshaped Nuggets team. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

2013-14 Roster

Darrell Arthur – PF

Wilson Chandler – SG

Kenneth Faried – PF

Evan Fournier – SG

Randy Foye – PG

Danilo Gallinari – SF

Jordan Hamilton – SF

J.J. Hickson – PF

Joffrey Lauvergne – PF

Ty Lawson – PG

JaVale McGee – C

Andre Miller – PG

Quincy Miller – SF

Timofey Mozgov – C

Anthony Randolph – PF

Nate Robinson – PG

Julyan Stone – PG

Offseason Additions

Darrell Arthur (Trade), Randy Foye (Sign-And-Trade), J.J. Hickson (FA), Joffrey Lauvergne (Draft), Nate Robinson (FA)

Offseason Subtractions

Corey Brewer, Andre Iguodala, Kosta Koufos

Projected Starters

PG – Ty Lawson

SG – Randy Foye

SF – Wilson Chandler

PF – Kenneth Faried

C – JaVale McGee

Season Outlook

The Denver Nuggets’ offseason was a lot like the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones — messy, hard to watch and fans were devastated that so many of their favorite players/characters were wiped off the board so quickly. But guess what? The Nuggets are still in decent shape to make the playoffs, even without Coach of the Year George Karl and mastermind general manager Masai Ujiri, the NBA Executive of the Year in 2012-13.

Denver brings in a first-year coach in Brian Shaw, which means the Nuggets probably won’t be getting off to a fast start. But just like last year, this is a team talented enough to get hot down the stretch and sneak into the playoffs of the loaded Western Conference. Excluding how Ty Lawson handles the pressure of being “the man,” how hot the Nuggets get really depends on two things: 1) How quickly Brian Shaw gets acclimated and comfortable with his rotations and 2) Whether or not Danilo Gallinari can come back relatively soon and stay healthy.

The Nuggets will have to rely on their lightning-quick guards and hope Shaw keeps that high-flying, fast-tempo offense in place, because the only way Denver will win games this year is by putting up massive points. The defense was already weak with Andre Iguodala; now that the Nuggets don’t have a single lockdown guy and their best perimeter defender is recovering from an ACL tear, Denver’s going to have a hard time getting stops this year. Look forward to a high-scoring game anytime the Nuggets suit up.

How long will it take for Danilo Gallinari to return? And can he stay healthy? Photo Credit: Matthew D. Britt/Flickr.com

Best-Case Scenario

Ty Lawson delivers on all that potential and makes his first All-Star game while Kenneth Faried completes his transformation into a man-child that devours opposing power forwards. JaVale McGee’s IQ and conditioning magically and drastically improve and Evan Fournier develops his game, becomes confident enough to take over one of the starting wing spots until a fully healthy Danilo Gallinari returns. Randy Foye and Nate Robinson go ballistic on their opponents off the bench and Brian Shaw proves to be a competent coach that keeps George Karl’s fast-paced offense intact to make up for a weak defense. The Nuggets lead the league in points per game with that up-tempo offense that runs people out of the building. Denver finishes second in the Northwest Division, secures the No. 6 seed and loses to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2013-14 NBA Playoffs.

Worst-Case Scenario

Ty Lawson fails to step up as the team’s leader, Kenneth Faried and JaVale McGee can’t guard anyone in the paint and Danilo Gallinari struggles to stay healthy. Randy Foye shoots 10-plus shots per game and Nate Robinson’s production pales in comparison to his numbers with the Chicago Bulls last year. Brian Shaw struggles in his first year as a head coach and Evan Fournier’s confidence and playing time suffers for it. Denver scores more than 100 points every night, but their defense is so porous without Andre Iguodala it doesn’t matter and the Nuggets finish ninth in the Western Conference to miss the playoffs AND miss out on a better pick in the loaded 2014 NBA Draft.

Predicted Finish

46-36, 2nd in Northwest Division, 7th in Western Conference