Why the Denver Nuggets desperately need Will Barton back in the line-up
The Denver Nuggets are in the midst of a rough seven game stretch despite starting the year 9-1.
The Denver Nuggets have lost six of their last seven games. Their only win came against a miserable Atlanta Hawks team in which they blew out last week. Every other game came down to the wire but ultimately ended with a Nugget heartbreak due to inefficient fourth quarter scoring.
The Nuggets’ go-to guys of Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray have all shown some struggles during crunch-time. Costly turnovers and illivised shots have been the main reason for the Nuggets’ issues.
They just look tense and timid out there and they appear to be lacking a finisher to help carry the load when the offense is not flowing.
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While many people are calling for Jokic and Murray to step up and assume that role, I think those two are simply trying too hard. Jokic is our definite go-to guy and Murray might be the best all-around scorer on the team. However, the guy who Denver needs to assume this role is Will Barton. Sadly, he is currently sidelined with an abductor strain and is not expected to be back until Christmas.
What Barton in the line-up brings to the Nuggets’ fourth quarter offense
Will Barton has been the hero and the heart attack creator during his tenure in Denver. He loves taking the ball during the crunch-time minutes and being the so-called hero. When he is on, he becomes Nugget fans’ prized possession, but when he misses, he is labeled a narcissistic teammate who craves the spotlight. Frankly, I have been one of those critics who constantly rips on Barton for taking over the offense and not utilizing his teammates.
Well, after watching this stretch of difficult basketball, I’ve finally come to realize the Nuggets need Barton in the line-up. They need his late game confidence and his ability to either create his own shot or a teammate’s shot when the offense becomes stale. They need his killer instinct and desire to attack defenses no matter his shooting percentage.
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It all boils down to this, the Nuggets are still a very good basketball team, but they are nowhere close to where they will be once Barton is back in the line-up.