A complete guide to the Denver Nuggets Playbook

This is a compilation of common plays and actions in the Denver Nuggets playbook. I will update this list throughout the season with over 200 unique examples of plays from the Denver Nuggets playbook. This can act a a companion for THE LIST, WHAT MAKES THIS PLAY GREAT, or just as a resource for anyone trying to learn and recognize common actions in the NBA and for the Denver Nuggets.

Early Offense

NBA teams will look for specific reads and opportunities in transition off of turnovers and defensive rebounds. Here are some of the most common early offense reads.

Boomerangs

Often times the Nuggets will hunt for the right mismatch when a team is switching ball screens. Here you can see lead guards working to place the right defender on ball before attacking.

Drag Screens

Another common option for quick, early offense is to hit the ball handler with drag screens at the top of the key. Here are a few variations including single drag and double drag screens in transition.

5-4 Ballscreens

One of the unique actions that few teams run and no teams are capable of running like the Denver Nuggets, thanks to the versatility of Nikola Jokic.

21 Series

One of the most common actions in the NBA but with a few wrinkles that are unique to the Denver Nuggets.

WHAT MAKES THIS PLAY GREAT on the 21 series.

AI Series

A very common NBA entry with several unique variations.

WHAT MAKES THIS PLAY GREAT episode on the AI series.

Chin Series

Chin is a series of 4-out options that evolved out of the Princeton offense. The base action gets Jokic rolling to the rim after a ball screen but there are a lot of reads that can be triggered after each pass.

Delay Series

Delay is one of the most used entries in the Denver Nuggets playbook. The Nuggets usually call it “open” and you will often see Jamal Murray or Nikola Jokic call for the set by making an open motion with their hands. There are a variety of reads out of this continuity set and the team doesn’t necessarily need to call for a specific action or play out of the series. However, there are a few specific looks that they will draw up out of timeouts.

• Delay Backdoor
• Delay Flare
• Delay Flare Slip
• Delay Flare DHO
• Delay Flare Flow
• Delay Chicago
• Delay Pin
• Delay Weave
• Delay Weave Shake
• Delay Up
• Delay Under
• Delay Zoom
• Delay Side to Side

Angle Pop

• Angle Pop Pistol
• Angle Pop 45
• Angle Pop Cross

Elbow Series

Delay sees the center initiating from the top of the key. Elbow starts with an entry to the big at the elbow or nail.

• Elbow Jokic
• Knicks Elbow Quick
• Knicks Elbow Split
• Knicks Elbow Jokic Splits
• Knicks Elbow Pin 5
• Knicks Elbow Chicago
• Knicks Elbow Denied
• Knicks Elbow Pistol

Dive Series

• Dive Cross
• Dive Ghost Knicks Elbow
• Dive Shake
• Dive Hammer