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Denver Nuggets: Breaking down one of the best young cores in the NBA

By Nick Crain

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball as Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball as Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

Michael Porter Jr.

Age: 22

2019-20 Stats:

PPG: 8.9

RPG: 4.6

3P%: 43.9

Michael Porter had his NBA coming out party this week with a career-high 37 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The former No. 1 overall prospect coming out of high school has always had a high ceiling, but couldn’t stay healthy. If he can, Porter Jr. is going to be special in this league. His versatility will allow him to play multiple positions on the floor. In his last three games, he has looked like the best player on the floor for Denver, scoring 37, 30, and 27 points respectively.

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Bol Bol

Age: 20

2019-20 Stats:

PPG: 5.7

RPG: 3.0

3P%: 50.0

Bol Bol is yet another guy the Nuggets took a gamble on. Similar to his teammate Porter Jr., Bol got injured in his lone college season, making his draft stock fall. Denver took him in the second round and let him rehab and get healthy all season long. He’s only played in one NBA game in limited minutes, but looked great in the Nuggets’ recent scrimmages, totaling 41 points, 19 rebounds, and 9 blocks on 6 of 17 (35.3 percent) from deep in his first NBA action. During these scrimmages, he played all over the place, from shooting guard to center.

While only three of these guys have played significant minutes this season, we have seen all of them do significant things. If they can all stay healthy, Denver will only get better over the next several years. As Nikola Jokic enters his prime in two to four years, the other young guys will have more experience under their belts.

In summary

Again, there are several teams around the league who might have young duos with higher ceilings, but when you look at a true core of five starters, the Denver Nuggets might be at the very top. Can you a lineup with these five players once they’ve gotten comfortable playing in the NBA and built chemistry?

  • PG: Jamal Murray (6’4)
  • SG: Gary Harris (6’4)
  • SF: Michael Porter Jr. (6’10)
  • PF: Bol Bol (7’2)
  • C: Nikola Jokic (7’0)

These are five guys that could be great defensively, are extremely long, and can all space the floor with their 3-point shooting. It will be fascinating to see what the Denver Nuggets look like in a few years. Even now, they’re already one of the best teams in the NBA.

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