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Denver Nuggets: Takeaways from LA Clippers preseason game

By Lucas Coryell

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 9: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell #23 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the LA Clippers during a pre-season game on October 9, 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 9: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell #23 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the LA Clippers during a pre-season game on October 9, 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets are closing in on one week before the regular season tips off. The game in LA is just an exhibition against the Clippers right? Not if you’re looking for clues to the Denver Nuggets regular season fate. How do the starters look, and how’s the bench coming together?

Starters

Nikola Jokic:  Fouls have already gotten Jokic  into trouble throughout his young career and  he had two early in the 1st quarter against the Clippers. Jokic has looked a little off balance so far as the newest face of the franchise, but can very quietly be the best center in the game. Jokic can be looked at as a disappointment unless he’s extraordinary as we’ve come to expect.

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Paul Millsap: If Millsap only rebounds this way and plays his all star style of defense ( 3 first quarter blocks) he can be a gigantic help to the Nuggets. Paul’s offense isn’t far from returning either as he readies himself for his first healthy season as a Nugget.

Will Barton: If Barton can hit his spot up jumpers and cut to the rim he can have a career year working with this very unselfish Denver starting five. As of now he seems to be the only slasher Denver has in the starting five and we need more to compete with the top teams.

Gary Harris: Gary has every element of the NBA game. He shows early that if you don’t stop the ball he’ll take it to the rack. Most underrated player in the NBA in my opinion.

Jamal Murray: Murray thus far is a shooter and a good one, but come regular season we need to see more from the point guard position and a future face of the franchise.

Then the bench has to take form as the regular season is nearly upon us. Albeit we have Isaiah Thomas and possibly Michael Porter Jr. coming to this team at some point. The bench played the entire second half.

Monte Morris: Shooting well and playing Denver’s true point when Jokic rests. This kid looks like a legitimate second point guard not just a Las Vegas League favorite. This kid can play point guard at an NBA level.

Malik Beasley: A shooter and a spark plug. Still looking like the newest surprise and addition to the bench so far.

Torrey Craig: Wow, really lobbying for his spot in the rotation. Outstanding defense and offense to help the 2nd unit.

Trey Lyles: Lyles is proving to be a top tier bench player if not a starting PF given his shooting ability. He is playing an outstanding preseason and game against the Clippers. The best Nugget performance of the night.

Mason Plumlee: An automatic second string center with starter potential Denver is lucky to have Mason Plumlee. If we didn’t have Nikola Jokic we’d be looking for a Mason Plumlee.

Juancho Hernangomez : Showing his grit and without his lights out shooting from game 1 Juancho makes a case for minutes.

Thomas Welsh A few NBA minutes can’t hurt your development and he hit a jump shot.

Next. Top 10 Nuggets of all time. dark

So the Denver Nuggets are intensifying their look at what the rotation will look like and I think the initial rotation looks set, and the next 5 are coming into focus. Once IT is healthy and God willing we get a healthy MPJ, the whole situation gets murkier but for now I think we see our Denver Nuggets to start the season.

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