Most Denver Nuggets fans are upbeat about this year’s starting five.
The scoring quintet of Jokic, Harris, Murray, Millsap and Barton will make any opposing coach sweat. Barring any injuries, this group should be legitimately deadly.
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The bench is a different situation. Last year’s theme was inconsistency. Barton was solid, but often called to start. Trey Lyles did well with big-minute games…but hardly caused a stir in other appearances (he scored at or above his average in just 38 games – ESPN). Mason Plumlee played solid defense, but often couldn’t hit the Pacific Ocean with his clunker jump shot (1.1 blocks per game, 45.8 ft% – ESPN). Torrey Craig had issues similar to Plumlee, averaging 4.2 ppg while shooting 29% on three-pointers per ESPN.
The same clan is back, except for Barton, who is projected to start. This leaves Plumlee, Lyles and Craig to fill significant bench minutes…along with newcomers Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr.
Most fans know what to expect from last year’s returnees. Mason Plumlee and Torrey Craig will provide stingy defense and physical toughness. Hopefully each will continue to improve on the offensive end…Mason with his shooting touch, Torrey with his shooting and play making confidence. Lyles will pack a scoring punch and gobble up rebounds. With any luck, he’ll take the next step towards better consistency.
What about Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr? This is where things get interesting.
Just over 12 months ago, Thomas averaged nearly 29 points per game. The Nuggets nabbed him for a dirt-cheap $2 million this off season, redefining the term “low-risk-high-reward” with this free agency mega-steal. Michael Porter Jr had a chance to enter as the third overall draft pick. Turns out he dropped…all the way to 14. His most-common NBA player comparison – Kevin Durant. Ever heard of that guy?
Can you imagine a bench with Boston’s old Isaiah Thomas and an early Kevin Durant? The scenario is completely unprecedented. The NBA often sees Super-teams – but never do these strong starting units sport Super-benches to boot.
Any given night could see Isaiah Thomas drop 20. (In 32 appearances last year, IT only failed to reach double-digits five times – ESPN). Michael Porter JR is also a 20-point game waiting to happen. Playing against other teams’ second units will be a great way for MPJ to establish his scoring prowess. IT, meanwhile, could tear these groups apart.
The IF factor looms large, however. IF Isaiah is healthy. IF Michael lives up to his potential. IF Isaiah is the same player of old. IF Michael’s back is stable. Other teams did pass on Thomas and Porter Jr.
But…they’re bench players. Making less than a combined $5 million this year.
The Nuggets don’t need Thomas to score 30 each night. A few big nights are nice. The difference between a scoring punch and dominating the game must be noted. Nuggets need IT for a scoring punch and veteran point guard leadership.
Michael Porter Jr doesn’t need to score in bunches either. Denver has plenty of other scoring sources. This is why the Nuggets could afford to wait on him. MPJ’s rookie campaign should resemble that of Jamal Murray’s. Room for growth, forgiveness for mistakes, and ample playing time to establish a record of high-scoring games.
In the era of Super-teams, benches are often overlooked. The juicy off season question is always “Which megastars will team up with LeBron?” not, “Who will keep the game in check while LeBron rides the pine?” Boring.
This could play to the Nuggets’ advantage. While superstars are sitting and fans are yawning…point swings are happening. Instead of losing ground when yanking the starters…what if Denver’s bench outscored other benches? What if the Nuggets’ bench actually took pressure off the starters?
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Bottom Line: Denver’s subs could go either direction. If Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr are non-factors? Expect a boring, ineffective bench that Michael Malone will come to hate. But if IT is even 75% his old self and MPJ shows flashes of his expected brilliance? A bench scoring explosion will be the Nugget’s top cheat code against the league’s contenders.