Key to Denver Nuggets’ rise in West: What they don’t have

It’s not often that you take a look at what your team is missing and count it as an advantage, but that’s exactly what I’m doing with the Denver Nuggets this year.

The Denver Nuggets don’t have drama in practice, trade rumors or a totally remodeled lineup entering the season.

I for one think that’s a jump off the starting blocks as opposed to waiting for the Jimmy Butler trade shoe to drop or the moving pieces to gel with LeBron James amongst other swirling stories in the NBA.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are returning Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Paul Millsap, and Nikola Jokic to the starting five with familiar face Will Barton presumably taking Wilson Chandler‘s spot in the lineup. Mason Plumlee, Trey Lyles, and Torrey Craig figure for substantial bench minutes as they did last season.

Malik Beasley and Juancho have been with the Nuggets in lesser roles for the past couple seasons.

So the continuity from last years squad that narrowly missed a playoff berth is mainly intact.

The addition of Isaiah Thomas as the 2nd point guard can only have positive effects on the bench as he brings his experience and scoring capability to the team along with a giant chip on his shoulder.

Monte Morris has looked quite capable himself as a reserve and waiting in the ranks and trying to get healthy is Michael Porter Jr. who’s untapped talent could land him many of several roles with the team.

So, other Western powers can keep their blockbuster trades and signings, along with locker room disorder. The Nuggets will role out an up and coming young team with added star power and experience.

I thought the Nuggets could hang with anybody in basketball when they played their brand of basketball and this year they get another chance to go out and do it for 82 games and hopefully beyond.