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NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribble the ball during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Nuggets

Can Mudiay Prevent This Season From Being Miserable?

With Emmanuel Mudiay drafted and Ty Lawson traded, the Denver Nuggets have their franchise point guard for the future. The problem with having a rookie point guard run your offense as a starter? Running an NBA offense takes a degree of experience, poise and court vision that most players just don’t have in their first year in the league.

Mudiay could wind up being the best point guard from this year’s draft class (much to the dismay of Los Angeles Lakers fans), but it’s not going to happen overnight. The Nuggets rookie has excellent court vision, but he’s also pretty turnover-prone, as evidenced by his 5.0 turnovers per game during NBA Summer League and 4.8 per game in the preseason so far.

The Nuggets have some established veteran presences like Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, along with some young, promising pieces like Joffrey Lauvergne and Nikola Jokic, but they’re still a non-playoff team that will struggle in the competitive West. Mudiay’s development takes precedence over everything, but how well he adjusts to his starting role may determine how enjoyable this season is for Denver fans.

Next: Detroit Pistons