Northwest Division 2015-16 Preview

Denver Nuggets

2015 Record: 30-52
W/L Prediction: 20-62

The Denver Nuggets enter the first stage of what could be a painful rebuilding process. Denver had remained relevant after getting a boatload of talent for parting ways with Carmelo Anthony. But ultimately it fell flat and is now likely going to the time tested, true way of winning: with a superstar.

But who is that superstar?

Initially, the attempt will be to see if it is Emmanuel Mudiay. The talented 6-foot-5 point guard comes to the NBA after a season toiling in Guangdong, China. He showed through that move alone that he loved the game of basketball, because Guangdong is a rough, poor part of China. Not to mention he was learning a new language and culture when most players are experiencing their freshman year of college.

Can that toughness help this Nuggets team? It can only help, and Denver parted ways with Ty Lawson to clear out the backcourt for Mudiay to have his chance.

What will not help Mudiay are his sheer lack of passing targets.

Perpetual disappointment Randy Foye starts alongside him in the backcourt, and Wilson Chandler is a good player but not really a No. 2 option type.

Forward Kenneth Faried is likely going to be trade bait eventually, while the Nuggets are hoping Jusuf Nurkic pans out, howsoever unlikely it is that he is the “starting center of the future” for Denver. Faried has failed to become the monster rebounder that most expected after he led the NCAA in rebounding at Morehead State. His 8.9 rebounds per game is not bad, but it is certainly a few less than the Nuggets hoped for from him.

Overall, this is going to be a lot to do with Mudiay and how good he can be. The rest of the Nuggets are on borrowed time.

Next: Wiggins, Towns, out