Nuggets will be better than Minnesota
By Jordan Reid
Chemistry.
Lastly, is team chemistry. Super teams aren’t built over night. Just because big names look good next to each other on paper does not mean that they’ll immediately work together. Chemistry takes time.
Even the LeBron super team in Miami didn’t win it all their first year together. They were good, but needed a couple years to build chemistry.
Minnesota will have three new starters this year. One of their main bench players will be new as well. And of those new guys, most of them are very ball dominant players. It will take time for everyone else to learn how to play with them.
Butler, Teague, Towns, and Crawford are all players that like to have the ball in their hands. Most of them like to play isolation offense and create their own shot.
Last season, Butler and Teague combined for almost 30 shots per game. Add that to Wiggins and Towns who averaged over 47 shots per game between the two of them and something will have to give. This Timberwolves offense has great scorers but could struggle early.
Compare that to Denver where the same core team has been together for a couple years now. By the end of last season, amazing, pass first chemistry could be seen.
After the all-star break, Denver had the number one offense in the NBA. Basically, this whole core will stay together except for Danilo Gallinari being changed for Paul Millsap.
Millsap fitting into Denver’s system shouldn’t be an issue largely because he went to Denver as a free agent. He chose Denver and has been open about liking their system and thinking he’s a good fit.
He has already bought into their system and can’t wait to play with Jokic.
According to T.J. McBride of BSN Denver, Millsap said in his initial press conference: “I am looking forward to Jokic making my life easier”. He also said he’s looking forward to open layups.
With Denver’s chemistry and ball movement, he will get them. Millsap and Jokic are both pass first players but can score 40 points if needed. Denver’s front court will be scary.
This season it is, and should be expected that Minnesota will take a step forward and maybe even move into the playoff conversation. They can move up to where Denver was last year, or even better.
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With both teams improving and moving forward, though, it’s not likely that they’ll surpass Denver. Only time will tell, but for now, look for Denver to have the slight edge in the Northwestern division battle.