Who says resumption of the NBA season says need for motivation. And who says need for motivation says…? Find good reasons! For each team of the 2022-23 season, we wanted to be useful, helpful, and a little funny if the subject allows it. Here are the 10 good reasons to follow the Denver Nuggets over the next few months, from maestro Nikola Jokic to the nugget Bones Hyland via the mascot Rocky.
#1 – Nikola Jokic plays basketball
We’re talking about the reigning double MVP, the best passing pivot in history, a guy who strings together performances in 30-13-9, and who is in full swing prime. Do we really need to add something?
#2 – The return of Jamal Murray
April 12, 2021. It was on this date that Jamal Murray broke his knee on the floor of the Warriors and since then, we have not seen him in an official match. Suffice to say that his return is highly anticipated, especially when we remember the incredible madness that the Canadian had made during the magnificent course of the Nuggets in Mickey’s bubble. If Denver wants to regain its place among the cadors of the Western Conference, it will necessarily go through a Murray who finds his best level at some point. Maybe not from the start of the season, but we hope as the campaign progresses.
#3 – Return of Michael Porter Jr.
Another expected return, that of Michael Porter Jr. aka MPJ. Only nine games played for him last season, the fault of a back that has once again come into its own. A big disappointment for the one many imagined to become the MIP 2022, or even downright All-Star in the absence of Jamal Murray. At the same time the guy remained on a 2020-21 campaign at almost 20 points on average with Kevin Durant shooting percentages (54% success, 44% parking and 80% free throws). In full health, Porter Jr. really has what it takes to do damage, even more so with Nikola Jokic’s caviars. It will be a pleasure to see him back on his feet.
#4 – The tactical masterclasses of Michael Malone
In the “Tactical Master” category, Michael Malone is rather well placed among NBA coaches. Because if the Nuggets resemble this well-oiled collective machine, it is in particular because their coach has been able to put in place a real philosophy of play based on the movement of the ball and of course the immense qualities of playmaking of Nikola Jokic. For the record, since Malone’s second season on the bench in 2016-17, Denver has always finished at least in the NBA Top 7 in offensive efficiency and has regularly squatted the first places in the number of assists per game.
#5 – Rocky the mascot at each time-out
It’s impossible to talk about the Nuggets without mentioning Rocky, the franchise’s mascot. Thanks to him, there’s never a dull moment during the time-outs that accompany Denver’s games at the Ball Arena. After all, we are still talking about the highest paid mascot in the NBA, with an annual salary of 625,000 dollars (true story).
#6 – Every duel with Joel Embiid
Nikola Jokic vs Joel Embiid, is there really a heavier duel in the NBA today? Not sure. We have there the double MVP in title and his dolphin (twice), who evolve on the same position, and who dominate each in a different way. All this to tell you that the games between the Nuggets and the Sixers this season will once again be unmissable. You can immediately take your diary and circle the following dates in red:
- Saturday January 28, 2023, Nuggets @ Sixers
- Lundi 27 mars 2023, Sixers @ Nuggets
As a reminder, last year it was all over the place, but Embiid missed the first game. In the second Jokic left with the win despite a dominating Jojo in terms of stats.
#7 – Every game against the Suns
“SUNS IN 4, SUNS IN 4”. Whether in Denver or Phoenix, no one has forgotten the fight that took place in the stands of the Ball Arena during the 2021 Conference Semifinals. And since then, every game between the Nuggets and the Suns has had a little flavor. particular, even during the regular season. That’s good, four new editions are on the program this season: at Christmas in Denver, January 11 also in Colorado, and then March 31 and April 6 in Arizona, just to warm up before the start of the Playoffs.
« Ima fuck your boy up….. Suns in 4! »
Nuggets fans are down bad right now ???????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/cfLGqXqL2p
— The Barber’s Chair Network, LLC (@BarbersChairNet) June 12, 2021
#8 – Bruce Brown doing the dirty work
It’s not the rookie that made the most noise this summer, but it should do good for the Nuggets. Little Bruce Brown, who has done a lot of service for the Nets over the past two seasons (9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, averaging 53% shooting), is actually bringing his role-playing talents back to Denver where he will definitely be highly appreciated doubt. Always in a free electron role that we knew well on the side of Brooklyn, Bruce will do the dirty work to fill the various gaps and thus allow Denver to be even stronger collectively than before. Alongside Nikola Jokic, he should be like a fish in water.
“I consider myself one of the best players when it comes to cutting without the ball. I can find openings, make it easier for Jokic, get 3-pointers in the corner and take some pressure off him. »
– Bruce Brown
#9 – Aaron Gordon and KCP in corners
Hey, speaking of getting in 3-pointers in the corner, Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope should have some nice open positions thanks to the huge threat that the Jokic – Murray – Porter Jr. trio represents as well as distribution abilities of the joker. In a limited offensive role, Gordon could thus see his efficiency increase in attack, he who turned 35% success on 3-pointers in the corner last season. As for KCP, he remains over three seasons in a row around 40% success behind the arc, and could well surpass all his percentages given the collective in which he is about to evolve.
#10 – Bones Hyland catching fire
If the Nuggets season last year was disrupted by injuries, it also allowed some to shine. For instance ? Bones Hyland, the rookie selected in 26th position in the 2021 NBA Draft and who experienced some heat strokes during his first campaign with the big boys. Not one to be shy, Bones notably caught fire in the fourth quarter of the game against the Sixers in the big clash Embiid vs Jokic, while releasing a pure performance a few weeks later in the Nuggets’ only victory in the Playoffs against to the Warriors. Clearly, this youngster is fearless, and his sophomore season may well become an excellent reason to watch Denver regularly.
Bones Hyland was big for the Nuggets down the stretch as the Nuggets beat the Sixers 114-110 ????
He scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter.
???? @nuggets | @BizzyBones11pic.twitter.com/7okbidoUiQ
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) March 15, 2022
