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Contrary to Popular Belief, Denver Progressed This Season

By Mathew Huff

Mar 24, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts to a game sealing 3 point basket in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 125-117. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts to a game sealing 3 point basket in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 125-117. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) defends against Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) defends against Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver may have missed the playoffs, but they have nothing to hang their hands about after this year.

The Denver Nuggets showed signs of significant improvement. Despite missing the playoffs yet again, they showed that they are prepared to make the next jump in their development.

They remind me a lot of the Utah Jazz from last season when they missed the playoffs by one game, which we all remember since that was Kobe Bryant’s last game where he went off for 60 points. It would not surprise me if these young Nuggets make a similar jump into playoff contention next year. Sure, there were a lot of ups and downs. But, let’s just focus on the positives we can take away from this season.

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Denver uncovered a budding super star in Nikola Jokic who has the potential to be a top five center in the next two years. They even possess some key young pieces that will vital to build around the Joker in Jamal Murray and Gary Harris.

Another positive is that the Nuggets hit on all of their draft picks despite the normal rookie growing pains. We all know about the potential of Jamal Murray, but Juancho Hernangomez and Malik Beasley also showcased their sky high ceilings.

Beasley did not get very many minutes at all, but he was one of the most efficient players on the court when he did get in for some playing time. Hernangomez was a draft pick that had a lot of fans a little concerned, but he quickly proved those fans wrong, especially after a monster game in which he helped the Nuggets knock off the defending Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors.

The final positive? How about being in the playoff hunt until the very end despite all of the short comings and injuries. This team went though a lot of adversity this season, but they were able to battle back in a positive way each team.

This shows tremendous resilience for such a young team. Not only does it show their resilience, it also demonstrates a bright future for this Denver squad.

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