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Way-Too-Early Projections for the Nuggets Starting Line-up

By Blake Holmes

Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) dunks the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) dunks the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) is guarded by Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the second half the at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) is guarded by Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the second half the at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting at center, standing at 6-11, from Serbia, Nikola Jokic.

Oh come on, you shouldn’t be surprised by this. With the emergence of Jokic as a special player in the NBA, Coach Malone would be a fool to sit him. He’s been one of the leaders of this young team, and the Nuggets probably wouldn’t have been close to the playoffs without him.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

There are so many potential upsides when it comes to this big man to go along with the upsides he currently possesses. He doesn’t play the best defense out of any big man, but with the body type that he has he could be a monster. He’s not the fastest player on the court, but with the beautiful passing and fundamentals he has, that’s not an issue.

He averaged almost 17 points and 10 rebounds per game, while shooting a staggering 58 percent from the field this season (per basketball-reference). Now these stats are impressive, but it’s even greater when it’s realized that Jokic was benched earlier this season for Jusuf Nurkic.

The Joker came back into the starting line-up in December of 2016, and the Nuggets had the best offense in the league from that point. He was also key in getting some big wins this season, most notably against the Warriors and Cavaliers.

The last and one of the only downsides that he has is that Jokic could be considered a hot-head. He fouls at random times for “frustration fouls,” and has gotten a few technicals thrown his way. It may not be as bad as some NBA players, but he needs to get his temper in check.

It should be fun watching the Joker terrorize the NBA against next season.

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