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Denver Nuggets: Predicting the Playoff Roster

By Blake Holmes

DENVER, CO - MARCH 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 12, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 12, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 12: Gary Harris #14 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 12, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 12: Gary Harris #14 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 12, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

First suiting up for the Denver Nuggets…let’s get the starters out-of-the-way.

These are the players that you can expect to play deep into playoff games and lead the team against the tougher competition.

PG: Jamal Murray

SG: Gary Harris

SF: Will Barton

PF: Paul Millsap

C: Nikola Jokic

These guys, aside from a very rough game in Oracle Arena against the Golden State Warriors, have been very good while on the court together this year. I say that because there hasn’t been a ton of time that we’ve seen them together due to injuries to Gary Harris, Will Barton and Paul Millsap, with Murray missing a bit as well.

Murray is inconsistent, but he has the shooting stroke to potentially be big in playoffs by going on tears in certain games. He’s also sneakily athletic, able to get to the basket and finish much better than one may expect by his play-style. His defense must improve in the playoffs, though.

Gary Harris is a lethal catch-and-shoot guy, while also using a variety of dribble-handoffs and creative cutting to get to the basket. Harris thrives in the Jokic-ran system, and his defense is known, as he is the best perimeter defender on the team.

Will Barton may not be the most popular face on the team at the moment after a few rough outings, but don’t kid yourselves, he needs to be on the court. When his shot is falling and he can get to the basket, a wave of momentum comes over the team, and they sometimes gravitate around it. Barton is also a very good defender, even though he only stands at 6’5, he has great length to disrupt passing lanes.

Paul Millsap has really come alive towards the end of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s shown an identity as a stretch four, while also being a great defensive anchor in the lower post. He can pass, he’s great with the ball in his hands and he’ll play a vital role on the defensive end.

What else can be said about Nikola Jokic that hasn’t already been said? He’s magical with the ball, as the offense runs through him, he can score whenever he likes, but he’s got some of the best passing we’ve ever seen from a big man. His defense struggles a bit, but with Millsap down low, that hopefully will not be too big of a problem.

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