Charting path to Nuggets championship

If the Nuggets are going to exceed last year’s run to the Western Conference semifinals, the team’s deepest playoff run in a decade, here are the things that can make it happen:

1. Depth

It’s not a stretch to say the Nuggets have 12 players who could step on the court on opening night and contribute. Michael Malone can’t play them all, and guys worthy of minutes are going to be cut out. Such is life on a team expected to contend for a championship.

Heading into the 2019-’20 season, the Nuggets’ biggest strength might be their bench. That’s not a knock on All-NBA center Nikola Jokic or emerging star Jamal Murray, but the truth is that their reserve lineup — Monte Morris, Malik Beasley, Michael Porter Jr., Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee — is deeper than almost any outfit in the NBA. In Grant and Plumlee alone, the Nuggets have a backup frontcourt that has previously started for playoff teams.

2. Defense

The Nuggets had to do some soul searching heading into last season. Were they content as fringe playoff contenders or would they address something about their defense that had been holding them back? In 2017-18, their defense ranked 23rd overall, and their 3-point defense was last in the NBA.

Last season they made the jump. Denver finished with the top 3-point defense in the league and the 10th-best defense overall.

What was behind the leap? Nuggets perimeter defenders were more disciplined with closeouts, gave more multiple efforts on second-chance opportunities and took pride in what had been a major weakness. This year, aside from maintaining their progress, Malone has said the emphasis is on limiting opponents in the paint.

3. By any means necessary

One of the most improbable stats of Denver’s season last year was their record on the second night of back-to-backs. They amassed a 12-1 record in such situations, which led the league. As the wins piled up, Malone’s only explanation was that his team played with great effort even when their plane had landed at 3 a.m.

The other indicator of the team’s maturity was their road record, where they finished 20-21. That was a five-win improvement over 2017-18. The 20 road wins was the third-most in franchise history and two shy of tying the team record.

4. Star improvement

Last year’s MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was 24 years old when he won the award. Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, also 24, finished fourth in the voting. What more can the Nuggets expect from their franchise player?

He’s already improved his scoring, rebounding and assists numbers every year he’s been in the league. Last year it culminated in 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.

The only two negatives from an otherwise sterling season were his 3-point shooting, which dipped to 30%, and his temperament. The Nuggets have challenged him to control his emotions.

Their other star, Jamal Murray, has a different set of obstacles. After receiving a five-year, $170-million max contract, the Nuggets expect their 22-year-old point guard to be more consistent. Murray must level out some of his careless turnovers and continue to commit on the defensive end to live up to his contract.

5. New faces

Denver’s two major additions, Jerami Grant and Michael Porter Jr., have the potential to enhance

Spotlight: If the Nuggets could replay last season’s second-round series against the Trail Blazers, coach Michael Malone would probably live with how his team defended Portland star Damian Lillard. But, the attention he got helped free up guard C.J. McCollum, who torched the Nuggets’ defense.

Blazers notebook: Outside of Lillard and McCollum, the Blazers roster looks nothing like the one that celebrated at Pepsi Center after Game 7 last season. Al-Farouq Aminu, Seth Curry, Maurice Harkless, Enes Kanter, Jake Layman, Meyers Leonard and Evan Turner are all gone. The team’s big offseason additions include center Hassan Whiteside, guard Kent Bazemore and forward Mario Hezonja.

Nuggets notebook: Due to the loaded Western Conference, it’s possible the Nuggets could be a better team this season but not have the record to show for it. Denver is the only team in the NBA to improve its win total each of the last four seasons. an already loaded roster.

Grant, who the Nuggets acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City, is a defensive wizard that can switch 1 through 5. He may be the perfect complement to veteran power forward Paul Millsap due to his versatility on both ends.

Porter could be the team’s biggest wild card. At 6-foot-10, he has a smooth scoring ability that’s already a matchup nightmare. On defense, his length and athleticism can mask some shortcomings.

The Nuggets are deep enough to where they don’t need to rely on him early. By the all-star break, he could find a permanent spot in the rotation.