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Paul Millsap already improving the defense

By Mathew Huff

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 17: E'Twuan Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket against Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 17: E'Twuan Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket against Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Ever since Paul Millsap returned, the Nuggets have noticed a solid difference in their team defense and chemistry.

When Paul Millsap signed with the Denver Nuggets, the fan base was excited for many reasons. One of these reasons was the improvement he would make in Denver’s defense.

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The change was noticeable at the beginning of the season as the defense went from worst in the league to middle of the pack. A significant change when one considers just how bad it was the year before. Then, Millsap went down with a wrist injury and the team defense was thrown for a loop.

Despite the offense getting back to what it was last season, teams were still able to take advantage of Millsap’s absence on the defensive end of the floor. Now, he is back and the defense is much better. The ability to communicate has been much more effective and the rim protection has been improved ten fold considering Nikola Jokic’s weakness lies in his defensive capabilities.

With Millsap back in the starting rotation, Denver is once again experiencing the best of both worlds. They still have plenty of offensive weapons, which Millsap is also, but are also getting back to the defensive intensity they were showing at the beginning season.

He came back just in time for the home stretch and if Denver does make the Western Conference post season, his experience is going to be invaluable. Millsap is a major key for the core of the Nuggets and if the defense can keep improving while keeping the flow of the offense going, they will be an extremely dangerous team in the playoffs.

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Not to mention, they will be a very tough out for whoever they match up with in the post season. Millsap has been important to the Denver Nuggets and it is starting to show.

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