[MopgrassParticipant]

I expect the Nuggets to be a top team next year, but still not THE team. I expect the Warriors to crush everyone easily, Lakers included (and I’m not a GS fan).

However, I see championship(s) in the Nuggets future if they do everything right.

Jamal Murray has been incredible, put up huge numbers, put the team on his back, got his 50 in and he’s only 23. Jokic is a rare bread of center for any age. The cracks n this duo showed in the last series. Murray is not unstoppable and when he gets a little shut down, he stops being aggressive. Jokic has such a great passing game, jumper, and force down low. But he doesn’t shoot under pressure, he defaults to others., even passing up on layups on smaller players.

Murray will probably become more reliable, but I think Michael Porter Jr is a very big deal, and in 2-3 years should be getting as many touches as Murray. I think when that happens, the Nuggets can become the team to beat.

MPJ’s isolation game is the best I’ve seen out of the draft in some time. I couldn’t believe he went 14th, injury or not. He hit some big shots in playoffs and he took his defense from very bad to not entirely bad. That’ll have to improve.

But if I was the Nuggets I would put every resource I had into developing this guy. I see a top league scorer. There are some things in the way: namely reaction time and ferociousness. He always seems to be reacting a second or two after-the-fact, takes a second or two too long to begin his move on offense, rotates over just after he should, etc. It’s not just a defense thing. But these are teachable traits that players usually figure out.

I think he’s a great fit with Murray and a bad fit with Jokic. I think you need a running team that gives Porter time to work from the perimeter and high post. I think Porter and Jokic are already too many slow guys plodding down the court. And again, Porter isn’t slow at running, but it takes him a minute to get going.

I’m not sure how they will get him the touches, but if Porter isn’t getting 18 points a game next year, they are on the wrong track.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Alot of their success is hanging on the development and health of Porter Jr. Hes already shown signs of being injury prone in his short career. Clearly the plan is to build around Murray, MPJ and Jokic. What tweaks do you see them making to the roster to take the next step into being a Championship team?

Can’t find the thread but a year or two ago I predicted Murray would take this leap. Hes always been a killer. Just a guy who wants to embarrass you in crunchtime and really hurt feelings out there. It was just a matter of time before he started to assert himself and consistently show he can score whenever he wants.

[HitsterParticipant]

Millsap will need to be replaced but MJP looked very good in the play offs. Bol Bol is another X_Factor guy who if he comes off could give them a useful edge.

[sniperParticipant]

So Grant, Millsap, Craig & Plumlee are free agents. I imagine bringing back Grant is the #1 priority. Someone’s going to offer Millsap the full mid-level (the Bucks maybe) and that will probably be too rich for Denver. But I think Craig can step into Millsap’s tough-guy role. Porter is probably going to start anyway.

BTW don’t forget about Will Barton, who was their 3rd best player during the regular season. He now becomes a leading 6MOY candidate and gives the Nugs all kinds of weapons offensively.

[Author]

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