Standing 6’ 11” and 280-pounds, the 20-year old from Bosnia-Herzegovina has an offensive game that could be best described as “a work in progress,” but he is a monster on the glass and has already shown during preseason action that he isn’t afraid to get physical with opponents. While guard Erick Green (who led the NCAA in scoring during his senior season at Virgina Tech) and rookie Gary Harris both have the potential to become reliable contributors, Nurkic possesses a unique skillset that could earn him breakout status. If there is going to be a breakout player on this year’s squad, he’s going to have to make the most of every opportunity and open eyes whenever he steps on the court. The Nuggets roster is one of the deepest in the league, which means while the younger players on the team will see minutes, there’s no guarantee it will be on a consistent basis. If the Nuggets are going to return to the playoffs this season, it’s going to be because Mozgov elevates his game and establishes himself as one of the top tier centers in the Western Conference. McGee is athletic and exciting, but Mozgov brings a toughness to the paint that Denver hasn’t had in a long time. An argument could be made that JaVale McGee is the rightful owner of the team’s starting center role, but I don’t think that’s guaranteed. Last year, he averaged 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and he proved he can be a presence on the defensive end of the floor. The 7’ 1”, 250-pound Russian has shown improvement in each of his first four seasons in the league. The question of whether or not this team can excel in half court sets begins and ends with Mozgov. Shaw favors a slower-paced half court game, and that means the team has to have a strong inside presence. Gone are the run-and-gun Nuggets of the George Karl-era, replaced by the jog-and-slog Nuggets under Shaw. Head Coach Brian Shaw showed last year that he’s looking to put his stamp on the team. Remember, we’re talking the MOST IMPORTANT player on the team, not the most talented. That ssaid, I think it’s tough to argue that any player on the roster is more important to the team this year than Mozgov. Ty Lawson makes the offense go, Kenneth Faried provides a level of energy that few players in the league can match, and the return of Danilo Gallinari after missing last season with a torn ACL could be the most important storyline of the upcoming season. On a roster without a traditional superstar, identifying the most important player can be a bit of a challenge. Head Coach: Brian Shaw (36-46, entering his second season as head coach) Rookie Class: Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic Key Departures: Evan Fournier, Jan Vesely, Anthony Randolph, Quincy Miller and Aaron Brooks Key Additions: Arron Afflalo, Alonzo Gee and Erick Green The Nuggets parted ways with four players - most notably Evan Fournier who still has plenty of upside - although none of the departures should have much of an impact on the team’s short-term success. And youngsters Erick Green, Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic are hoping to prove they deserve to be part of the franchise’s long-term plans. Afflalo returns from Orlando and immediately upgrades the shooting guard position for the team. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY SportsĮven if you don’t count the players returning from injury, the changes to the Nuggets roster are still rather significant. Denver Nuggets Roster Overview Denver, CO, USA Denver Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo (10) shoots the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center.
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