Will Nuggets add point guard after rash of injuries?
EDITOR’S NOTE: The first of a five-part series previewing the Nuggets’ positional outlook heading into the July 29 NBA Draft.
In break-glass circumstances, sometimes patchwork is good enough.
In the grueling aftermath of Jamal Murray’s torn ACL this past April, the Nuggets, somehow, cobbled together a respectable backcourt. And that was despite the absences of Monte Morris (hamstring), Will Barton (hamstring) and P.J. Dozier (adductor) after Murray’s left knee buckled in San Francisco.
The only guards remaining were rookie Facu Campazzo, April-addition Austin Rivers and two-ways Markus Howard and Shaq Harrison. Their 13-5 record to close the regular season was remarkable considering the circumstances. That Band-aid backcourt then held its own against one of the most lethal guard tandems in the NBA — Portland’s Damian Lillard and C.J. Mccollum — for a first-round playoff series victory.
Whether Rivers, initially signed on a 10-day contract before sticking for the remainder of the season, returns to Denver, his Game 3 against the Blazers should be etched into Nuggets lore. Only months removed from contemplating his NBA future, Rivers’ 16-point fourthquarter vaulted Denver ahead of the Trail Blazers on the road. The question, as it pertains to the July 29 NBA draft, is whether the Nuggets are comfortable with that high-wire act throughout an entire regular season.
Before Murray returns, presumably around February or March, there are several variables to consider when evaluating whether the Nuggets should use their No. 26 pick on a point guard.
First, Morris should be healthy. The trustworthy backup guard bypassed a chance to play for Team Nigeria this summer due to a minor knee issue. Morris’ decision, according to a league source, was a byproduct of knowing how much the Nuggets will need him next season.
Even adding Morris to their beleaguered backcourt (he played just five games from April 13 to May 16) would’ve decreased the pressure on Campazzo, Harrison and Howard, who were thrust into a playoff race.
But the return of Dozier for next season — his last game was May 3 — is a significant one, too. Nuggets coach Michael Malone swears by Dozier’s twoway versatility. His return will bolster a Nuggets defense that got shredded by Phoenix’s backcourt, and Malone trusts his pick-and-roll instincts on the offensive end. If Dozier can develop a steady 3-point stroke — he shot 39% before the All-star break last season — that will drastically balance out the Nuggets’ offense, which tends to run through its frontcourt.
As bad as Denver’s point guard situation looked by the end of the playoffs, reinforcements are coming. Will at least one come by way of the draft at No. 26?
1. Jared Butler, 6-foot-3, Baylor, junior: Butler isn’t overwhelming athletically, but he plays with a steady pace and his head on a swivel. He also has a tendency to see plays one or two passes ahead of time. His standout performance in the Final Four helped lead Baylor to the title, and his 41% 3-point shooting last season underscored his first-round talent. Only a pre-existing heart condition could jeopardize his status.
2. Tre Mann, 6-5, Florida, sophomore: If the Nuggets want to boost their backcourt scoring, Mann should be in heavy consideration. The Gator guard plays with a patient cadence to pair with his feathery touch. Mann is more finesse than physical, but it works with his 6-5 frame. He shot over 40% on 3s last season, and proved he can be a three-level scorer. He’d be a steal if he fell to No. 26.
3. Miles Mcbride, 6-2, West Virginia, sophomore: The quick-twitch guard would immediately infuse Denver’s backcourt with a scoring mentality and burst it currently lacks. Few Nuggets players outside of Will Barton have much 1-on-1 breakdown ability. Mcbride, a microwave scorer who shot over 41% from outside, would immediately be one of their best isolation attackers. If that wasn’t enough, he brings it on defense.
4. Sharife Cooper, 6-3, Auburn, freshman: The Nuggets don’t play at a breakneck pace, but taking Cooper might speed up their attack. He’s a crafty finisher around the rim, with a penchant for getting into the teeth of the defense. Though he’s a deft passer, he also takes a lot of risks and loses the ball to turnovers. Cooper also shot just 23% from outside last season. The offense is intriguing, but the Nuggets already rely heavily on smaller guards.
5. Jason Preston, 6-4, Ohio, junior: The weaknesses are obvious. Preston needs to get stronger and more confident in both his handle and his shot. But he’s also a grinder, with a high basketball IQ , good athleticism and a chip the size of the Fritos factory on his shoulder. Some NBA evaluators are scared off by what he can’t do. The Nuggets pride themselves on focusing on what a player can do.