Nuggets could embrace “Spurs” style of play
By Mathew Huff
The Denver Nuggets have the potential to play a “Spurs” type of style and be successful at it.
Last season, the Denver Nuggets became one of the best passing teams in the league. There was still room for improvement, but they made great progress from the last couple of years with the development of Nikola Jokic and Gary Harris.
With this in mind, the Nuggets could embrace one of the best team style of play this coming season especially with the addition of Paul Millsap. As I like to call it, Denver has the potential to embrace the “Spurs,” style of play. San Antonio is famous for their style of play under head coach Gregg Popovich and incorporating every player in the rotation into the scheme. It doesn’t matter if it one of the stars or role players, every one is a threat to score.
The Nuggets are finding they have the same potential. Per basketball-reference.com, the Nuggets averaged 25.3 assists per game last season. To put this in perspective, San Antonio averaged 23.8 assists per game. However, it is not just the stats which prove Denver’s unselfish style of play.
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Just going by the eye test, one can tell Denver has embraced the team mentality. Paul Millsap has already praised the style of play as detailed in an article by my co-editor Tom West here. Denver is wanting to go 12 deep in their rotation just like San Antonio and with the current personnel, they could be drastically effective if they embrace the “Spurs,” style of play.
Guys like Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and of course Nikola Jokic will be great assets to this certain basketball mentality. Not to mention, the amount of cuts Denver utilizes will also result in great offense and easy shots at the rim.
Related Story: Breaking down Harris' cutting ability
Do not be surprised to see the Nuggets looking a lot like the Spurs offensively next year.