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5 Denver Nuggets goals before the Playoffs begin

By JT Matthews

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2020 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2020 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /

2) Find that steady rotation

Its no secret league-wide that the Nuggets have a deep roster. The departures of Juancho Hernangomez and Malik Beasley have eaten into that to an extent, but Denver is arguably as deep as anyone in the NBA. With depth often times comes complication. When you have as many talented guys as the Nuggets, do it’s hard to stick to a steady and solid rotation. The tendency is to go with whomever is deemed “the guy” that night.

So how do you balance the Paul Milsap/Jerami Grant minutes? Do you trot out Mason Plumlee when Jokic hits the bench or do you try to go to a small ball rotation? Does Will Barton play significant minutes with the second team or do you make a guy like Torrey Craig or Michael Porter Jr. a regular rotational sub? These are questions that need to be answered before the playoffs begin.

Obviously, every game will have unique situations. Even now in the NBA Bubble, all of the Denver Nuggets have not yet reported so you are seeing some unconventional line-ups being play-tested. Plumlee will still likely come in for Jokic on defensive possessions when appropriate or you may like the defensive match-up Craig gives you any given night. Plus, there is always a chance someone plays out of their mind and they will ride whoever has the hot hand. These scenarios will occur, but Malone needs to know who his guys are when push comes to shove and he shouldn’t deviate from that.

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