Denver Nuggets: Three takeaways from the first two scrimmages

1. Troy Daniels can shoot the lights out

Although Daniels is on his seventh team in seven seasons, it hasn’t been his lack of shooting ability that’s kept him from keeping a spot on the roster. For his career, he’s knocked down the 3-ball at a 39.6 percent clip on 4.1 attempts per game.

He started the season on the Los Angeles Lakers and was acquired so recently by the Denver Nuggets that there have only been four potential games he could’ve appeared in prior to the hiatus. Of those four opportunities, Daniels appeared in just one game for Denver against the Milwaukee Bucks, where he played a mere 44 seconds and missed his sole 3-point attempt.

Despite being the only guard available against the Wizards as well as one of just two guards ready to suit up versus the Pelicans, coach Mike Malone had Daniels come off the bench in both games, though the decision amounted to great success.

Against Washington, Daniels played 30 of a possible 40 minutes (in the first scrimmage each quarter was 10 minutes long) and led all players in scoring with 22 points on 7-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range, along with a perfect 4-for-4 from the line. He also dropped three dimes and was active on the boards, pulling down six total rebounds, two of which were on the offensive glass.

Versus steeper competition in New Orleans, Daniels stepped up his game, dropping 28 points in 27 minutes and converting on 7-of-10 from deep as part of a 9-for-17 shooting clinic. He looked great moving off-ball, excelled at coming off screens for spot-up looks, and even showed off some respectable driving ability as in the above clip.

Although the Nuggets likely won’t have room in the rotation for him once the contingent of Denver guards returns, Daniels’ play so far has impressed, and he might be worth a second glance by Mike Malone in the eight games leading up to the playoffs.