Nuggets Early-Season Takeaways and Rest-of-Season Predictions

Mar 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) during the game against the Golden State Warriors at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Jusuf Nurkic is Sorely Missed

The Nuggets need Nurkic back. The team has showed promise in the likes of hustle and offensive rebounding, and has balanced the loss of shot-blocking and defensive boards admittedly very well. Where they clearly need the return of Nurkic is in their lack of proper protection against offensive bigs.

The Nuggets rank No. 9 in the league in blocks and No. 18 in defensive rebounds, neither of which are miserable, but imagine how much stronger production will result of the return of Nurkic. Expect the Nuggets to break into the top five in blocks and move around the 12 to 13 range in defensive boards upon the return of the Bosnian Beast.

If you eliminate Derrick Favors who only played 14 minutes against Denver because of the flu, the best opposing offensive big has scored 160 points (18 ppg) on 64 percent shooting across nine games. That means Terrence Jones twice (Dwight Howard was hurt), Karl-Anthony Towns, Serge Ibaka, Julius Randle, Tyson Chandler, Greg Monroe, Mason Plumlee, and Festus Ezeli have been responsible for dismantling Denver’s frontcourt. Outside of Towns and Monroe, none of these players have a reputable offensive repertoire, and are averaging a combined 10 points a game. In fact, six of these players posted season highs against the Nuggets.

Nurkic is projected to return later than expected, and the Nuggets need his consistent presence down low on both ends of the floor.

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