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Will the Denver Nuggets realize their potential this season?

By Marcus Kaplan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots in the first half of the regular-season finale at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. April 11, 2018 Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots in the first half of the regular-season finale at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. April 11, 2018 Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 13: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 13, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 13: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 13, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Bringing Isaiah Thomas on board is another low risk high reward scenario.

He’s just two years removed from putting up huge numbers and talking about max money.  The Nuggets got him for $2 million.  If he can get healthy then the Nuggets have another lethal scorer off the bench à la Will Barton, who now moves into the starting lineup with the departure of Wilson Chandler.

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The Nuggets starting 5 is rock solid and has a bit of everything.  They don’t have a pure PG but with the offense running through Nikola Jokic you don’t need one.  You need shooters and cutters and the Nuggets have a plethora of both.

You also need guys who can break you down off the dribble and create their own shot.  Hello Jamal Murray and Will Barton.  Gary Harris is known as more of a catch and shoot player but he’s developing as another guy that can break down a defense.

The Nuggets starting 5 has plenty of youth and potential with Harris, Murray, and Jokic all being 23 or under.  Then you add in the savvy vet Paul Millsap, hopefully for an entire season, and this starting 5 can compete with anyone, especially on the offensive end.

The Nuggets are going to score.  Man are they going to score.  But the problem the last two years has been on the defensive end and winning on the road.  The Nuggets were 31-10 on their home floor last year but only 15-26 on the road.  This has to get better, and I suspect it will.

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