The Denver Nuggets are a mere weeks away from opening the regular season and they’re looking to rebound from a 36-46 record, last season. The biggest key in my opinion for the Nuggets to have a successful season and return to the postseason, will be the health of two of the team’s biggest spark plugs. Both Danilo Gallinari and Nate Robinson missed significant time last season, due to ACL injruies and the Nuggets were greatly affected by the loss of both players. Denver has been missing Gallo since last April, when Gallo initially tore his ACL only weeks before the series started. Before tearing his ACL, Gallinari appeared in 71 games during the 2012-2013 season recording 20+ points in 22 games, 7+ rebounds in 21 games and shooting 37% from the beyond the arc. Gallo also averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game during that season, against the Warriors who eventually faced Denver in the first round of the playoffs.
Robinson on the other hand appeared in just 44 games for the mile high crew last season, before tearing his ACL and missing the second half of the season. Denver went just 14-24 without Robinson last season, missing his leadership and scoring off the bench. Before the injury, Robinson was really hitting his stride and finding his role within Denver offense recording 10+ points in 26 of those 44 games and shooting 38% from the three point line. Without Robinson on the floor, Brian Shaw had to give Lawson more minutes than usual and even had to play Randy Foye at point guard during some game last season.
The Denver Nuggets will benefit greatly from having both players back healthy this season, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. Gallinari is one of the most underrated defenders in the NBA and has a stifling, yet versatile game. He can defend most forwards one on one, is an intelligent defender and is a phenomenal team defender. Last season without Gallinari the Nuggets struggled defensively to not only pick up Shaw’s defensive system but, in their rotations as well. Denver was ranked 28th in points allowed per game(106.5) last season and 26th in opponents field goals made per game(39.5), again struggling without both Gallinari and Robinson on the defensive end. The Nuggets missed Robinson scrappy, physical defense against fellow point guard, especially in the Northwest division going up against the likes of Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, Rick Rubio and Trey Burke four times each a year. Robinson’s physical presence and Gallinari’s smart’s on the defensive end, will be welcome additions for Denver this season and hopefully lead to some improvements, on the defensive side of the ball.
Offensively both players absences we’re felt throughout the season, as Ty Lawson carried much of the load of the team’s ball handling, playmaking and scoring duties. Now that both Gallinari and Robinson are back, it provides relief for Lawson as the team’s main playmaker and gives Brian Shaw two very skilled ball handlers, who can create off the dribble. Gallinari and Robinson both are obviously capable scorers, who can shoot the three and score off the dribble. Adding two scorer’s like them, will take pressure off of Lawson but, also open up high percentage shots for Afflalo, Faried, Chandler, Mozgov, Foye and others. They both are also phenomenal play makers, with great passing skills and court vision, their playmaking abilities will provide a extra dynamic for the Nuggets offense this season. Bottom line, the Nuggets were a combined 50-70 without Gallo and Robinson last season and having both of them healthy will be the biggest key to Denver winning 50 or more games this season and making the playoffs.