As the Denver Nuggets’ 2018-19 regular season winds to a close, diligence is of the utmost importance. Check out these final stretch goals for each rotation player.
As the Denver Nuggets‘ regular season enters its final lap, a good, bad and ugly situation is upon us.
The Good: The 2018-19 Denver Nuggets currently hold the 2-seed in the tightly packed Western Conference.
Bad: The squad has lost four of its last five games, and All-Star center Nikola Jokic looks exhausted.
Ugly: Isaiah Thomas‘ return hasn’t been ideal, as Denver’s second unit appears largely in disarray.
Sure, the score isn’t entirely unfavorable. To die-hard Nuggets fans needing a reality check…remember the Brian Shaw era “six weeks” chant, just four years ago? Times are better now. Baring any drastic improbabilities, the Nuggets will play their first playoff game since May 2013.
Quick pat on the back, now moving on.
The squad’s fatigue has been evident in recent games. With several teams nipping at its heels, Denver can ill-afford to blow this last stretch. Seeding will matter in this ultra-competitive Western Conference.
A poor ending could result in the 5-spot, in a worst-case scenario — i.e. an underdog series against the high-octane Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, keeping the 2-seed should spell an easier first round; perhaps home-court advantage against the Los Angeles Clippers?
As the Nuggs hit their last 17 games, a strong finish is both possible and necessary. Check out these goals for each rotation player.
Nikola Jokic: Start overcoming fatigue now
Tired and feeling short on help? Get used to it, Nikola. Despite a well-rounded supporting cast, Jokic is experiencing life as an NBA superstar. If he acclimates himself to fighting fatigue now, the Serbian will see familiar territory deep in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, he’s done a beautiful job leading with unselfish passes (his 7.6 assists per game lead NBA centers by a mile) and dominant scoring (career-high 20.4 points per game). He should change very little in that regard.
Jamal Murray: Level out, help your main man
At this time of the season, 40 points one night and six the next is irritating. For all intents and purposes, Murray is the No. 2 guy offensively, averaging 18.2 points per game. Jokic needs his wingman to play with vitality and consistency. Murray did a great job carrying the squad with Jokic out during midseason injuries. Denver needs that same Blue-Arrow in the final stretch.
Gary Harris: Attack, shoot and defend
Apologies to those wanting more complexity, but this is the Nuggets’ desire from Harris. At his best, Harris is Denver’s most consistent defender, a strong outside shooter and a steady attacker. His 2018-19 leaves much to be desired, but hopefully the nagging injuries are behind him now. He’ll look to make big plays for Denver on both ends of the floor, while playing primarily off the ball.
Paul Millsap: Lead and defend
Millsap is a sneaky-effective player, worth far more than his 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game would suggest. He sets the tone on the stopping end, pairing with Harris to create a tough defensive tandem. Offensively, he leads by example, most notably with his knack for timely buckets and rebounds. Veteran guidance down the stretch is how Millsap will earn his money with this young Nuggets squad.
Will Barton: Know when to be “Thrill”…and when to not
Barton is an interesting case for the Nuggets. Sometimes he goes “Thrill” mode, playing the part of a clutch, swaggy playmaker with a never-say-die mentality. Other times, he’s the corner shooter to round out Denver’s offense. The Nuggets will need both Bartons at different points down the stretch. The key, as always, is timing and situational strategy.
Mason Plumlee: Defensive toughness off the bench, maintain the style offensively
The Plumdog’s game isn’t fancy, but it’s sure important to this Nuggets squad. His role is twofold: athletic help-side D, and “backup point center” ball movement. Defense is Plumlee’s main strength, as he keeps opposing big men in check. Offensively, he’s a skilled enough passer to maintain some degree of “Jokic-ball” as the superstar sits.
Malik Beasley: Shoot baby, shoot
How good has Malik Beasley been in his breakout 2018-19 season? Much to the league’s surprise, the kid has a legitimate shot at the elite 50-40-90 club. He enters Tuesday’s game with shooting splits of .494/.428/.898. As the season peaks, Beasley must continue to provide shooting and energy off the bench. He’s secured his rotation spot, now he must boost Denver on a nightly basis.
Monte Morris: Be a starting-caliber point guard off the bench
Obviously, this isn’t fully up to him, but good things happen with the ball in Monte Morris’ hands, evidenced by his 5.9 assist-to-turnover ratio. Sharing the floor with Isaiah Thomas is fine, but it’s Morris who must run the point. Jeff Van Gundy even called him a “human right decision” in a recent ESPN broadcast…need I say more?
Isaiah Thomas: Play within the offense
As Nuggets Nation turns on IT, a faithful few remain stranded on the pro-Thomas island, myself included. The dude averaged 28.9 points per game two years ago, and some plays are reminiscent of that.
At the same time, his contradictory style is indisputably harming Denver’s flow. Morris should run the point, end of discussion. IT’s job will be to get buckets, be it from outside or at the rack. This becomes especially significant as scoring becomes tougher in the playoffs.