Nuggets show encouraging signs
Gamesmanship doesn’t stop just because it’s the preseason.
Earlier this week, Nuggets coach Mike Malone lamented how little his starters had played together in the preseason, as minor injuries to Gary Harris and Jamal Murray robbed them of the chance to build their earlyseason chemistry. But given the opportunity to see his starting unit Tuesday night while visiting the Los Angeles Clippers — against whom the Nuggets open the season next Wednesday — Malone played his starters the entire first quarter.
The Clippers hung on to win 109103 primarily against the Nuggets’ reserves as Denver fell to 31 for the preseason. Here are some takeaways.
Starters show more urgency.
Malone saw all he wanted from the Nikola Jokic, Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Harris and Murray lineup that left the game after one quarter, trailing 3026. Look for Friday’s preseason finale at Chicago to be the most significant preview of next week’s season opener and the most indicative of the rotations.
The starters, specifically Harris, Barton and Millsap, gave the kind of effort that was lacking in last Friday’s exhibition against Perth of the National Basketball League from Australia. Harris’ endtoend aggressiveness, coupled with Millsap’s three firstquarter blocks, underscored the defensive improvement Malone has been stressing all preseason. If the Nuggets are going to become an average defensive team after last season’s struggles, those two will be the anchors.
“I thought (the starters) played really hard, they played well together and I saw a much different starting lineup than I did against Perth,” Malone said postgame.
Barton scored 11 points in 12 minutes as he continues to get more comfortable playing with the starters.
Bench strength.
Trey Lyles scored a teamhigh 15 points, and it’s his array of scoring moves that could have a huge impact on the Nuggets’ second unit. Lyles, in addition to 10 rebounds and five assists, knocked down two 3pointers, hit multiple midrange jumpers and played a clever twoman game with backup point guard Monte Morris that led to a streaking dunk. Lyles could be this team’s offensive spark off the bench, and it’s possible the Nuggets could use him in smallball lineups at small forward.
He and Morris are both capable of creating off the dribble in isolation, and both have been preseason standouts.
“Trey is just so skilled,” Malone said postgame. “He can shoot the 3. If you close out to him, he’s so effective playing off the dribble, and if you give help, he’s going to find the open man.”
Though his defense is a work in progress, his versatility and size should make him a huge asset this season.