The Denver Nuggets will have to find a way to stay competitive for the next three months.
The Denver Nuggets will have to find other sources of production as they are without Paul Millsap for the next three months. They still have Nikola Jokic and Gary Harris. However, these two will only carry the team so far.
So, how does Denver stay competitive in the tough Western Conference? Well, they are still capable of being effective. This is where the depth of the Nuggets will start to pay off. While many were unhappy with the log jam at the power forward spot, it may now be a blessing in disguise.
Denver can start to utilize players like Trey Lyles, Kenneth Faried and even Darrell Arthur in order to make up for the absence of Millsap. There are other players besides the front court players who can also step up.
Jamal Murray, for how promising he is, needs to start being more consistent in order to shore up the point guard play. Without a consistent point guard, it will be rough sledding for the Nuggets considering Jokic is much more effective with a point guard who is on a hot streak.
Not to mention, it would help if Mudiay gets back to playing like he was at the beginning of the year. He’s had a couple of bad games which is something to keep an eye on going forward.
Another Nugget who needs to step up is Wilson Chandler. He has to start being more effective, especially after making a big deal of his role last season.
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If these other role players can step up and take the pressure off Jokic, Denver will be able to remain in the middle of the Western Conference playoff picture.