Over the next month, we’ll be talking with a variety of people who cover each NBA team to find out a little bit about their team, and how they expect the season to go. We’ll also find out what they believe will be the most intriguing matchup when the two team’s meet during the regular season. We continue the Northwest Division with the Denver Nuggets. We’re joined by Roundball Mining Company’s Matt Cianfrone, whom you can follow on twitter @Matt_Cianfrone.
Game Dates
Wednesday, January 7th @ Denver
Sunday, March 22nd @ Orlando
Last Season: 36-46; Finished 11th in Western Conference
January 11th: Denver 120 Orlando 94
March 12th: Orlando 112 Denver 120
Projected Starters
Point Guard: Ty Lawson
Shooting Guard: Arron Afflalo
Small Forward: Danilo Gallinari
Power Forward: Kenneth Faried
Center: JaVale McGee
Q: The Nuggets battled a lot of injuries last season. How much of an impact could will the likes of Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee, J.J. Hickson and Nate Robinson have this season?
A: It is going to make a massive impact. The Nuggets last year relied on JJ Hickson and Anthony Randolph way more than any team should ever rely on those players. The biggest returns are going to be Gallo and McGee who both should step right into big minutes places in the rotation, even if they start the year coming off the bench (a much greater possibility for McGee). Robinson was terrific as a backup point guard last year as well, so if he comes back it will just strengthen the Nuggets bench. Most importantly, though, if all of those players come back healthy it gives the Nuggets more trade pieces as they try to figure out what to do with this roster. The more options they have the better and right now none of those players seem to hold any real value.
Q: Do you see the team’s rookies — Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic — having any type of impact this season or is the team’s depth going to hinder their chances of getting on the floor?
A: I would be surprised if either play a lot barring a trade. Harris seems the most likely to play as the Nuggets can use Randy Foye as a backup point guard while Robinson gets back to his old self if they really want to get the rookie on the floor. Unless the team trades either McGee or Timofey Mozgov (who I think they should move) Nurkic is going to have a hard time playing. McGee is owed too much money to not give a fair shot under Brian Shaw and Mozgov played well last year with McGee (and was a bit overrated by Nuggets fans I think) to the point where the team can’t just bench him for a rookie.
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Q: What’s one matchup that you’ll have your eyes on when the Magic and Nuggets meet?
A: Ty Lawson vs. Elfrid Payton/Victor Oladipo. Lawson was far and away the best player on the Nuggets last season and projects to be again this year. If he gets going, Denver will be in every game. Payton and Oladipo, though, can make his life tough with their size and athleticism and when Lawson struggles the Denver offense bogs down into a mess without other playmakers. With the defensive reputation of the two young Magic guards and Lawson’s offensive brilliance it should be a fun, game deciding matchup.
Q: What are fair expectations for the Nuggets this season? Could we see them return to the top of the West, or are they going to fall just short? If they were to make the playoffs, what could be realistic expectations when in there?
A: I know Nuggets fans think they can return to the top tier in the West, but I just don’t see it. Andre Iguodala was a massive loss for Denver before last season and the only hope to really replace him is Gallo elevating his game from where it was pre-injuries and I don’t think that happens. They will compete for a bottom two playoff spot in the West thanks to the depth on the roster from 1 to 10 and their home court advantage, but when top tier talent comes into play, to win games, I don’t think Denver has as much as some other Western Conference teams they will be fighting with like the Suns and Pelicans. If they do make the playoffs this is a one-and-done team thanks to that lack of top talent so I think Denver should be ready and willing to move multiple pieces of the roster if it allows them to add a top talent that wants out of his current situation.