Over/Under: Denver Nuggets 2023-24

DENVER NUGGETS: 53.5 WINS – OVER Key Additions Julian Strawther (draft) Hunter Tyson (draft) Key Subtractions Bruce Brown Jeff…

DENVER NUGGETS: 53.5 WINS – OVER

Key Additions

Julian Strawther (draft)Hunter Tyson (draft)

Key Subtractions

Bruce BrownJeff GreenThomas BryantVlatko Cancar (injury)

Rotation

GuardsJamal Murray, Reggie JacksonWingsKentavious Caldwell-Pope, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Justin HolidayForwardsAaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Julian StrawtherBigsNikola Jokic, Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Jordan

Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.

Steph and Joker are the two most fun players to watch in the leagueJoker is now a top 35 player of all timeThe Joker-Murray-Gordon Combo is the best in the NBA since Steph, Klay, & DrayTheir offense, when humming, is the closest thing to the Beautiful Game Spurs of ‘14Michael Malone is a criminally underrated coachKCP has become the Danny Green of his generationBruce Brown quietly played more crunchtime minutes than MPJ in playoffsReggie Jackson hasn’t played meaningful NBA minutes in yearsJoker is the best player in the NBA, though we seem to be awfully quick to forget Giannis’ greatness

Last Year – Interesting Stats

53-29 was 1st place in the West last year12-11 post all-star break, as they coasted in hopes of being ready for the post season117.6 Offensive Rating was 6th1st place in FG%, 4th in 3P%, 2nd in AST – all due to regress to the meanOpponents shot 3rd worst 3pt% vs DEN in the NBA – also due to regress to the mean

Keys to Success
Michael Malone keeps his team disciplined and eager to repeat, becoming the first team since the Warriors of ’16-’17 & ’17-‘18 to win back to back ch’ips, MPJ improves his off the dribble game, Zeke Nnaji becomes a 3PT threat, Peyton Watson and Christian Braun make everyone forget about Bruce Brown, Joker ate healthy in Serbia this summer

Potential Obstacles
“Disease of More” – (Pat Riley’s famous phrase stemming out of the late-80s Showtime Lakers) now that they’ve won, who on the team wants to “get his” (my guess is MPJ), they end up missing Bruce Brown more than anticipated, Jamal Murray deals with nagging injuries and they need more support than Reggie Jackson can provide, Joker gets out of shape this offseason, Cancar’s injury is an under the radar blow to their depth

Hot takes

Jamal Murray makes his first all star teamPorter Jr. loses crunchtime minutes to Christian BraunPorter Jr. secretly goes on the trade blockJokic returns to camp out of shape, takes him ‘til Xmas to lose excess weightThey make a midseason move to bring in a backup ball handler

STANDING PREDICTION: 4TH IN THE WEST