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Young Nuggets are Learning on The Fly in the Playoffs

By Lucas Coryell

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 16: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a three point shot against the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter during game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 16, 2019 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 16: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a three point shot against the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter during game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 16, 2019 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets feature some of the most exciting young talent in the NBA.

The Denver Nuggets came out of the regular season with all but a couple players entering their first playoffs.

Now they’re learning on the fly as everyone has played in a game 7, and a quadruple playoff overtime. The Nuggets were able to advance to the 2nd round, and are hungry for more.

Nikola Jokic has had consecutive triple doubles this series, with four in the playoffs. He is currently averaging 24 PPG, 12.5 RPG and 9.3 APG . Currently he is ranked 4th in scoring, 2nd in rebounds, and 2nd in assists during the postseason. Joker played  65 minutes in game three prior to putting up 21-12-11 in game four to help the Nuggets win.

Jamal Murray is scoring 21.7 PPG in the playoffs. Paul Millsap has upped his average to 14 PPG as he has seemed to restore calm when things start to spiral down. And Gary Harris has been as reliable as we’ve come to expect increasing his regular season scoring and rebounding to 13.9 PPG and 3.9 RPG in the postseason.

Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are two of the best young stars in the NBA. They are 22 and 23 years old respectively and will keep the Nuggets competitive for the next decade. Aside from Jamal Murray and The  Joker, the Nuggets have many emerging role players. These include Malik Basely, Trey Lyles, and Monte Morris. These players provide valuable player minutes for the Nuggets every game.   

Torrey Craig stepped into the starting lineup and has had to defend some of the Western Conferences best scorers in DeMar DeRozan, Damian Lillard, and CJ McCollum. Most prevalently helping knock “Dame” down from 33 PPG and 46.9% from 3pt range to 27.3PPG and 24.6% from the arc. All this while proving he can contribute on offense (shooting 50% from 3pt range). Monte Morris has proved he can run the backup point on a playoff contender and Malik Beasley has been the energy and instant offense when the Nuggets have sorely missed it from Will Barton (whom too is showing signs of “Thrill” form recently).

The young Denver Nuggets team have continued to overachieve and defy odds  set by most preseason analysis of the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets have emerged this playoff as a real title contender and not a fringe playoff team.

The Nuggets have turned the Power Rankings on their head in the playoffs. And the Nuggets continue to be underestimated by many analysts.

With one more wins the Nuggets enter the Western Conference Finals and have a shot at making it to the NBA finals. There may be a few more lessons to be learned before the Nuggets hoist the World Champion Trophy, but if this team is showing anything it is that no task is too daunting and they won’t be swept to the side by established superstars or let a loss linger.

Nugget fans have been having a wild ride with this young Nuggets team.

It will be fun to see how game 7 plays out and how the Nuggets finish the rest of this season. Go Nuggets!

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