For the better part of the offseason, many were wondering how the Denver Nuggets' new rookie free agent, Alpha Diallo, would integrate into the rotation, and if he would make the rotation at all. But there's no question about the impact the defensive specialist has made over his first two weeks of the Nuggets training camp, and from the sound of it, he's not only going to be in the rotation, but head coach David Adelman is working to get Diallo integrated into some key roles.
Diallo is quickly making a name for himself within the team, and Adelman has some plans for the 29-year-old rookie. And if he lives up to his side of the bargain, Diallo could see a decent amount of minutes this season.
Diallo's defensive versatility allows for a new Nuggets tactic
"What teams are trying to do to Nikola [Jokic], aggressive, getting to somebody's knees in front of them, allows the backside of your defense to come help. I absolutely think he could do that," Adelman said.
Adelman's referring to the Alex-Caruso style defense that the Oklahoma City Thunder run against Jokic, fronting him before the ball arrives and disrupting the Nuggets' offense. The Nuggets have not tried this style on their opponent, partly because they haven't had someone as versatile as Diallo on defense in a long time. But per Adelman, it's definitely coming. Diallo is a different beast on defense, a "menace" as Cameron Johnson called him, and he'll give Adelman a weapon to experiment with different looks.
Diallo can recover his spot and fight through screens, and he's got a high motor that's going to wear down opposing guards and wings over the long haul. He immediately picks up the ball carrier and pressures them up the floor, and he even forced an 8-second backcourt violation against the Utah Jazz. It was glorious!
Diallo is going to make many teams miserable this season, and fans should be excited to watch the Nuggets' best perimeter defender since KCP (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope).
Diallo's role on offense could be to play the dunker spot
Of course, Diallo is a defensive specialist, but the 3-and-D wing can knock down the open three as he showed twice against the Jazz. And he finishes well at the rim. He's an excellent cutter and slasher. That gives Adelman the chance to experiment with Diallo on offense, too.
"I think he's got to get used to playing the dunker a little bit," Adelman said. "You know, we post up guys and that's our spacing."
Adelman did say Diallo may not have to be the scorer in the dunker spot, but that doesn't mean Diallo can't. He shot 66.7% at the rim last year with AS Monaco in the EuroLeague, and his athleticism and physicality can help him go up strong for a bucket.
All in all, it sounds like the Nuggets have big plans for Diallo, and watching him develop as he adjusts to the NBA during the preseason and the first few weeks of the season should be a lot of fun.
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