The Nuggets have won three in a row and eight of their last 11, Nikola Jokic is a front runner for MVP, and the bench is possibly trending up? All appears well in Denver. DNVR Nuggets discusses how they’re viewing the season at this point in the year, what’s next for Bones Hyland, and more.
Denver’s 26-21 and 6th in the West. How do you view the Nuggets at this juncture?
Adam: On the upswing, and their record reflects that. The Nuggets have been a pretty good team when Nikola Jokic is healthy and in the lineup. They’ve been slightly better than that when the rest of their makeshift starting lineup has been in place. They have 19 home games remaining and just 16 road games, including tonight’s matchup against the Pelicans. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. aren’t too far off. The Nuggets have weathered the storm quite nicely. The rain clouds appear to be breaking up just over the horizon.
Harrison: I’m more optimistic about the Nuggets right now than most. They’ve won eight of their last 11. They’re 17-11 since Nikola Jokic returned from his wrist injury. The Nuggets’ starters — Monte Morris, Will Barton, Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green, Nikola Jokic — have the 5th best Net Rating in the NBA out of the 53 lineups that have logged at least 100 minutes this season. Most importantly, the bench is trending up. I really think Denver’s found something over the last couple of weeks. They’re playing with renewed confidence right now and taking advantage of a favorable second-half schedule. The Nuggets are in a really good spot all things considered. A few weeks ago, the fourth seed seemed out of reach. Now, Denver’s just three games back of the floundering Jazz, who the Nuggets visit on Wednesday.
Vogt: As the leaves do when the seasons change, I find myself going with The Wind. The name of the game right now is banking wins. If we’re greedy, we can hope for a healthy process too — the building of winning habits with present personnel — but that ship is sailing as we approach the trade deadline. It’s about survival, truthfully, and the Nuggets have their head above water as the schedule eases up. They lack statement wins, but picking up regular-season wins over bad teams is an acceptable formula until the reinforcements arrive. Ideally, the rotation looks different come playoff time anyway. I’m hopeful.
Bones Hyland appears out of the rotation. What’s next for the rookie?
Adam: Patience. There will be opportunities for him in the back half of the schedule. He is probably the next man up at either point guard, shooting guard, or small forward. There are still a handful of back to backs ahead and, as mentioned above, a lot of home games where Michael Malone will likely feel more confident giving him a stint here or there.
Harrison: What’s next is probably more DNP-CD’s. Austin Rivers bought himself some time in the rotation with his huge night in Brooklyn. We know Denver wants Facu Campazzo running the point on its second unit. Bryn Forbes is a lock for the rotation too. Hyland just has to be patient and stay ready, but we know how this usually goes. He’ll get another opportunity soon. He just has to stay patient and ready.
Vogt: A trade would be wildly unpopular and seems unlikely given Denver’s affinity for their rookie. But it would make sense given the lack of alternative assets, and it’s something a cold-hearted front office might consider if he’s indeed out of the rotation.
Back to reality: if he sticks around, as expected, he’s probably on the outside looking in unless the front office shuffles things around at the deadline.
Should the Nuggets sign DeMarcus Cousins for the rest of the season?
Adam: They need someone at center. Cousins has not been good, individually since arriving in Denver. He’s shooting 27% from the field and 10 turnovers in 3 games. Perhaps that is rust and him playing through some lingering injuries. But even with his poor play, he’s made an impact on the second unit. The Nuggets have a few more games to take a look at him and get a read on whether or not he is the center they need. He has the inside track. Hopefully his scoring efficiency increases as his technical foul rate decreases.
Harrison: I’m very close to being a firm yes on this. Has Cousins been great individually so far? No. He’s shooting under 30% from the field. He’s already turned the ball over 10 times in 38 total minutes. He’s fouling like crazy and has three technicals and one ejection in three games. But Cousins has brought toughness, physicality and nastiness to the second unit. Jokic is averaging 8.3 free-throw attempts per game since Cousins arrived (he averaged 5.3 per game pre-Cousins.) It’s not a coincidence. Cousins has turned Denver’s style more physical and the refs are responding. The Nuggets will take Cousins’ scoring too, even if it’s not coming in the most efficient manner. He’s averaging 18 points and 18 rebounds per 36 minutes and his rebounding has been huge for the second unit. I’m very optimistic about his fit with Zeke Nnaji. Those two complement each other very well.
Vogt: Yes. Denver needs a center. Any center. And Malone is willing to play Cousins. Case closed for me.
