Denver Nuggets: Key Factors to Keep the Eighth Seed
By Blake Holmes
3. The Bench.
The Nuggets have one of the deepest bench rotations in the NBA. There are so many players that could come in and give a lift to any game or any situation. Whether it’s Will Barton making magic with his drives, Mason Plumlee becoming a Jokic-type player off of the bench, or the rookie Jamal Murray torching other teams from the three-point line, there are plenty of options for Coach Malone and the bench.
There really isn’t much of a weak spot on this bench, as the least used player is probably Mike Miller, who can still shoot a deadly three ball. With the recent great play of Juancho Hernangomez, he’s becoming a three-point threat and someone to look out for as well. When he’s not in the D-League, Malik Beasley is still a guy with a lot of potential, and someone who brings energy to the team. Wilson Chandler is still a very reliable bench and sometimes even starting-worthy player.
There are just so many weapons that the Nuggets can use, as each bench player fills a certain role. Even with his reduced minutes, Emmanuel Mudiay is also still available whenever he’s needed. Darrell Arthur still has his deadly three-point game, while bringing a patient style of play to the floor. Roy Hibbert is a big man who is a defensive threat and a traditional big man.
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With the starters beginning to run out of energy at the end of the season, the bench could bring a huge help to the court. They could be a major x-factor in making the playoffs.