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Denver Nuggets: Specialty lineups for 2018-19

By Grayson Moore

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 26: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is introduced into the starting lineup before the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 26, 2017 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 26: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is introduced into the starting lineup before the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 26, 2017 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 1: Will Barton #5 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 1, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 1: Will Barton #5 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 1, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defensive Lineup

PG: Will Barton

SG: Gary Harris

SF: Torrey Craig

PF: Paul Millsap

C: Mason Plumlee

While this may not be the most conventional lineup, it would get the job done on the defensive end of the ball.

It may be a little weird to see Will Barton at PG, but he would be the best ball handler on this lineup. Not to mention, his length added on to his athleticism would make him a good candidate to guard the league’s smallest position. He will likely have more success guarding point guards than small forwards next season, and he isn’t an atrocious defender, which is something you can’t really say about any other potential point guard on this roster.

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I think that most Nuggets fans know about Gary Harris’ defensive ability. He averaged 1.8 steals per game last season(6th highest in the league) and became the 5th player in Nuggets history to average 1.8+ steals and 17+ points per game in a season. He allowed his opponents to shoot just 44.8% from the floor and 34.4% from 3-point range, both well below league averages. He also shut down the likes of James Harden(1.0 ppg, 13.3 possessions per game against Harris), Devin Booker(8.0 ppg, 35.5 possessions per game against Harris), DeMar DeRozan(7.0 ppg, 13.0 possessions per game against Harris, Steph Curry(1.7 ppg, 10.7 possessions), Donovan Mitchell(5.3 ppg, 22.3 possessions), Paul George(5.3 ppg, 25.0 possessions), Damian Lillard(2.0 ppg, 12.0 possessions), and Kevin Durant(0.7 ppg, 3.0 possessions). Not too shabby for a guy who got just 3 Second Team All-Defensive votes.

Torrey Craig wasn’t a lock down defender his first year in the league, but he was a pretty good defender for a rookie. Craig allowed his opponents to shoot 43.7% from the floor and 35.6% from 3, below league averages. CJ McCollum, James Harden, Bradley Beal, Donovan Mitchell, Lou Williams, Kyrie Irving, and DeMar DeRozan all shot 0% on FG attempts against Craig last season. He was also the only player on the Nuggets shorter than 6’8 to have a block percentage of 2.0%+. He will only get better with more experience in the league.

Paul Millsap is a defensive fiend. He was one of 8 players to average 1 steal and 1 block per game last season and he had the lowest DRtg on the Nuggets(107.1). When he was on the court last year, the Nuggets opponent’s offensive rating was 109.7, which would have ranked as the 16th best in the league, a massive improvement from the Nuggets actual 5th worst defensive rating in the league. If he plays 70+ games next season(which he has done all but 3 seasons in his career), the Nuggets will be a significantly improved defensive squad.

And finally, Mason Plumlee. He isn’t an amazing defensive center, but he is decent enough to get the nod over Nikola Jokic in the defensive lineup. He had the highest DBPM on the Nuggets last year(2.7) and the 17th highest in the league(min. 1000 minutes played). He had the highest block percentage on the Nuggets(4.7%) and the 12th highest in the league(min. 1000 minutes played). He may be overpaid, but he can still play defense.

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