Denver Nuggets: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

5. Nuggets escape the bottom 10 in defensive rating

In the case of the Nuggets, the only way is up from a defensive perspective.

Last season, they ranked 29th in the league with a defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 110.5. Overall, the Nuggets gave up 118 points or more on 23 occasions, compiling a 5-18 record during this span. This is clearly cause for concern, and is going to be a pivotal factor in whether or not the team can take the next step this season.

In the midst of last season, it was enough of a concern for head coach Mike Malone to publicly call the team out:

"“Right now our defense is the worst in the NBA. No veteran leadership stepping up, don’t hear anyone speaking, taking the lead. We have two young guys trying to speak up on the team, which you applaud, but you need some leadership to shine and step up. “It is embarrassing how we go out and attempt to defend every night. That is something that we have to try and fix as soon as possible, because it’s at an all-time low right now, and that is a huge concern of mine.”"

These are clearly damning words, and came in the midst of a midseason, five-game losing streak. As can be seen, one of the things Malone has been crying out for is veteran leadership on the defensive end.

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And that’s what he received this offseason with the signing of Paul Millsap. This past season, Millsap was the lone All-Star that featured on an Atlanta Hawks team that finished fourth in defensive rating at 103.1. In fact, the Hawks have featured in the top seven in defensive rating over the past three years.

From an individual standpoint, the 2015-16 season marked Millsap’s best at the defensive end, being named to NBA All-Defensive Second Team. But even though one player can’t change an entire team, Millsap’s ability to guard multiple positions will provide coach Malone with a significant amount of flexibility entering this season.

So with the addition of Millsap, and the foreseeable development of the younger Nuggets on the roster, escaping the bottom 10 in defensive rating is certainly a realistic target.