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Nuggets: Takeaways from the Cavaliers game

By Michael Longhofer

Denver Nuggets v Cleveland CavaliersCLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 3: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets and JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers fight for a loose ball during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Nuggets defeated the Cavaliers 126-117. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Getty ID: 926944342
Denver Nuggets v Cleveland CavaliersCLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 3: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets and JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers fight for a loose ball during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Nuggets defeated the Cavaliers 126-117. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Getty ID: 926944342 /
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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 2: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 2, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 2: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 2, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

There was concern with how Paul Millsap would re-integrate into the Nuggets lineup.  While there’s some validity to the question, his return has been as seamless as could be expected.

What I think many were not factoring in to the distress over Millsap’s role with the high-flying Core is that Paul is an all-star caliber player.  He plays phenomenal defense that’s more than just on-ball steadiness.  He blocks shots, he gets steals, he’s disruptive and he is vocal with his teammates.

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Leadership and pedigree should have been a comfort with Millsap’s return but it had been 44 games since we’d seen him and even then we had only barely gotten to know him.

If you noticed Gary Harris on LeBron James at the elbow in Sunday night’s game, you’d have seen Millsap’s influence.  Gary stayed down, stayed calm, waited for LeBron to turn to the basket and stole the ball.  The import of Millsap’s presence as a defensive force and leader can not be undersold.

The presence and leadership the Nuggets expected when they made Millsap the lone free agent signing of last summer has paid immediate dividends.

The outlier, the place where Millsap still needs to mesh is with Nikola Jokic.  Signs of the two Nuggets stars coming together were all over the Cleveland game but there’s still been a downturn in Jokic’ production since Millsap’s return.

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