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We learned a lot about the Nuggets through four preseason games.
Here’s my take:
The Starters: ⬆️
We don’t need to spend a whole lot of time here on the best lineup in basketball, although we didn’t get to see it at all this preseason. Michael Porter Jr.’s ankle sprain robbed us of that opportunity. Still, there’s a chance he debuts on Thursday in the Nuggets’ preseason finale in what we think could look like a dress rehearsal for the regular season opener. Michael Malone will be back on the sideline.
This lineup is locked in and ready to go. I loved how Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray approached this preseason, and they both look primed for huge years. I’m really encouraged with how engaged and focused Jokic is coming off last year’s championship run.
Christian Braun: ↔️
Braun (calf contusion) didn’t play at all in the preseason, but he’s still locked in as the Nuggets’ sixth man. Denver may have to ease him into the season more than they hoped — with this injury I doubt he’s playing the 25+ minutes Bruce Brown role right away — but he’ll get there in due time. Braun is still clearly the Nuggets’ sixth-most important player.
Julian Strawther:
No one raised their stock more than Strawther this preseason. He entered training camp without much buzz, but after four preseason games, he’s in clear competition for one of the Nuggets’ final rotation spots. One interesting wrinkle to Strawther’s monster preseason so far is that Michael Malone hasn’t been on the sideline for it.
Right now, I predict Strawther plays on opening night but doesn’t see double-digit minutes. Perhaps he’s the young upstart who’s on the Christian Braun track this season.
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Peyton Watson: ⬇️
Maybe we were buying the hype too much with Watson heading into training camp, but his preseason performance so far has left me wanting more. Watson has undoubtedly flashed. We’ve seen the tantalizing skill set on display. We’ve witnessed the game-changing defensive prowess that he has. We’ve watched his 7-foot-plus wingspan put opposing matchups in jail. But I don’t think it’s been consistent enough to 100% lock down a rotation spot.
He shot over 50% in only one preseason game. He had five turnovers in 21 minutes in the Nuggets’ second preseason matchup. The game still seems like it’s moving really fast for him. His decision-making hasn’t been solid. I love Watson’s potential, but he’s not there yet. But he probably shouldn’t be at only 21 years old.
Reggie Jackson: ⬆️
I think I finally have a feel for how Jackson can benefit the second unit. That group will need scoring and that’s what Jackson provides. He will get shots up and put numbers on the board. That’s what he’s done this preseason. Jackson scored 15 points on 6-12 shooting in 22 minutes last night against the Clippers. He tallied 14 points on 5-11 shooting in Denver’s preseason opener.
There will be shaky moments for sure. There will be questionable decision-making. He’ll turn the ball over. But Jackson does provide a bucket-getting component to a second unit that projects to be a little offensively-deficient. He knows his role.
Zeke Nnaji: ⬇️
I felt like Nnaji had one really good game this preseason. That was the Nuggets’ preseason opener. He’s been OK ever since and I think will be a passable option at backup center this season.
There’s been a lot of talk about Nnaji’s re-made jumpshot over the last two years, but the thing is he’s not really looking to shoot it (although he hasn’t had a surplus of opportunities to). Nnaji is 1-4 from beyond the arc through four games. But where his improved shot has shown up is from the free-throw line. It’s been encouraging how often Nnaji has gotten there and that he’s gone 16-20 from the stripe.
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Nnaji has been solid defensively but really struggled vs. Andre Drummond in the Nuggets’ first preseason game vs Chicago. His ability to switch 1-5 is probably his most valuable trait. I still was hoping for a bit more from him in all facets.
Justin Holiday: ↔️
We know what Holiday is. He’s a solid ball player who can camouflage himself into any lineup but is also someone you rarely notice on the floor. I wouldn’t be surprised if he started the season in the rotation — he seems like he’d be a preferred Malone option — but I’d be surprised if he finished it there.
Hunter Tyson: ↔️
Some of the Summer League luster has worn off, but I still think Tyson turns into a serviceable NBA rotation player. I can see the vision. Last night against the Clippers, we finally saw that passion and emotion that Tyson loves to play with return. The lights have seemed a little bright this preseason and real NBA length and athleticism has cut into his effectiveness. Tyson needs to get stronger, but I’m a believer in his skill and eventual role at this level.
Braxton Key ⬆️
Key was the standout from the Nuggets’ latest preseason outing, and he’s great value on a two-way contract. He’s a winner and plays winning basketball. Key knows his game, sticks to his role, and doesn’t try to turn every play into a homerun. He plays within himself and the offense. I’m a fan and I bet Michael Malone is too. I could see Key having a few turns in the Nuggets’ rotation this season.
Jalen Pickett/Collin Gillespie: ↔️
Pickett and Gillespie both had their highs and lows this preseason. Overall, my opinion on them hasn’t changed much. Pickett has the point guard savvy and ability to create open shots for others that can be valuable on a bench unit, but I wonder if he has the athleticism and size to hold up against opposing guards. Gillespie is a really solid and sound lead ball handler who’s a natural floor general and just knows how to play the game. But I have the same questions about his size and overall effectiveness.
Eventually, it feels like the Nuggets will need to choose one of these two to move forward with.
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