Nugg Love
Fansided

3 encouraging takeaways from Denver Nuggets start to the 2022-23 NBA season

By Alexandros Tsakos

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 16: Michael Porter Jr. #1, Jamal Murray #27 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate during a timeout in the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at Ball Arena on November 16, 2022 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 - NOVEMBER 16: Michael Porter Jr. #1, Jamal Murray #27 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate during a timeout in the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at Ball Arena on November 16, 2022 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets attempts a layup while being guarded by Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 09, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets attempts a layup while being guarded by Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 09, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The Denver Nuggets are shooting the lights out

If we take a look at basic statistical categories, they are some obvious takeaways from the start of the season. The Nuggets are the best shooting team in the league making an average of 39.8% of their threes on more than 30 attempts per game. They have displayed the ability to shoot efficiently from deep and from inside the arc, which has landed them in the top ten in true shooting percentage (59.3%) and effective field goal percentage (58.2%).

More importantly, the Nuggets rank second in field goal percentage making 49.3% of their 86.3 field goal attempts per game. Great shooting is almost always a product of ball movement and the energy the Nuggets have as a team on the offensive side of the ball has been nothing short of impressive. Denver is among the best teams (4th in all the NBA) in assists per game, averaging 27.7 a contest through the first 19 games of the regular season.

Their high assists number has led to many great team performances throughout the season, even when Nikola Jokic had to take over and be more aggressive. With that said, Jokic arguably has more help now than he’s ever had since the start of his NBA career. For example, in the OT victory over OKC on November 23, Jokic went off for an almost triple-double of 39 points, ten rebounds, and nine assists, but the X-factor in the victory was Aaron Gordon who finished with 31 points including 17 in the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets fell behind early but showed resiliency despite not having some key players available and still won the game. We even saw someone other than Jokic putting up a triple-double with Bruce Brown registering his first ever in his NBA career in the same game. The Nuggets have five players currently averaging 15 points or more per game, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Brown are adding more than 10 each as well.

We have talked about Denver’s defensive issues and how they can quickly be fixed, but as long as the ball is moving and the offense is rolling, the team will always have the chance to win.

Home/Nuggets News