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The 2019-20 All-Defense campaign starts here: Denver Nuggets forward Torrey Craig chosen for USA Men’s Select Team

ByMichael Walton|
PORTLAND, OR - MAY 9: Torrey Craig #3 of the Denver Nuggets looks on before Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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)
PORTLAND, OR - MAY 9: Torrey Craig #3 of the Denver Nuggets looks on before Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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)

The Team USA select invite will help Denver Nuggets forward Torrey Craig’s 2019-20 All-Defense campaign start off on the right track.

Torrey Craig has had a whirlwind two seasons in the NBA. He signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets in 2017 before earning a multi-year contract in the 2018 offseason. Craig didn’t make an All-Defensive team last season despite being a superb defender for the 54-win Denver Nuggets but his inclusion on the Team USA Select team will ultimately help pave the way for an All-Defensive selection in 2019-20.

Yes, it is true that while making the USA Select team is great, it is ultimately a scrimmage squad that plays against Team USA. But what makes this moment so big for a player like Craig, is that this time with Team USA will allow him to fine-tune his weaknesses with a diverse group of coaches that include Lloyd Pierce, Steve Kerr and of course, Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich. He has only been in the NBA two seasons but Craig has already carved out quite the reputation as a strong defender.

Craig is the elder statesman on the Team USA Select team at 28 years old but will gladly soak up the Team USA experience. In 2018-19 he averaged 5.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while often guarding the opposition’s best scorer.

Craig upped his 3-point shooting in the playoffs, knocking down an elite 47.2 percent of his 2.6 3-point shots per game.

Craig had the 4th best defensive box plus/minus on the Nuggets in the regular season and the 3rd best DPBM on the Nuggets in the playoffs. He had the second-best defensive rating on the Nuggets in their first-round series against the Spurs and was instrumental in their Game 7 win. In that Game 7, Craig played just over 26 minutes and helped harass DeMar DeRozan into a 7/21 shooting effort.

Torrey Craig will play an instrumental role in preparing young Team USA forwards Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kyle Kuzma for the physical nature of international basketball, and that fact that he has ample experience playing overseas certainly helped his case.

Craig should have his sights set on making an All-Defensive team next season and being invited to be a part of the Team USA Select camp was a step in the right direction, as coaches around the league have finally acknowledged that Craig is one of the best at his craft.

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