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Denver Nuggets: Mudiay over Nelson?

By Blake Holmes

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 2: Emmanuel Mudiay #0 of the Denver Nuggets goes for a lay up during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 2: Emmanuel Mudiay #0 of the Denver Nuggets goes for a lay up during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The regular season starts Wednesday, and there are decisions to be made for the Nuggets.

One of these is its current point guard situation. There are currently three players fighting for minutes running the offense. These players are Jamal Murray, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Jameer Nelson. Many of us here are Nugg Love believe that the starting point guard should be Jamal Murray, so therefore that would leave Mudiay and Nelson to battle it out for the second unit.

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There are several reasons that work for both players, but I believe that Mudiay should get the back-up role. While he may not have the experience and veteran play that Nelson has, Mudiay could be a good option. He has potential that would be wasted if not used at all. He played pretty well in the preseason, including a 19 point performance against the Warriors. Finally, we’ve seen what he is capable of when he is on as well, given that he actually outscored the Celtics in a first quarter last season.

Sure, these reasons revolve around the idea that Mudiay could capitalize on his potential. That’s not the only reason that I believe the Nuggets should play him at back-up.

I am not the biggest Jameer fan in Nuggets Nation, but I will explain why.

Yes, I appreciate everything that Jameer has done for this team. I like him as a person, and he’s a great personality to have in the locker room. In fact, the Nuggets may not have been as good as they were last year if it were not for the leadership of Nelson in the line-up. I respect him greatly, and I’m happy to have him on the team, but I think it’s time to move on.

Too many times do we see Jameer try to be a hero, instead of making a good decision. A good example was in a late season game against the Rockets in a crucial playoff push. Instead of moving the ball around to find a better shot, Nelson took a nonsensical step-back jumper that did not go. The Nuggets lost the game, and eventually missed the playoffs.

Next: Nuggets preseason recap

I think that it would be a big step to play Mudiay over Nelson. He’s younger, could have a bright future, and it would be wrong to risk losing his potential. I get it, playing Nelson could not only help Mudiay learn, but Jamal Murray as well. My philosophy goes like this, without learning from experience, what learning really takes place?

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