Most of the focus from Nuggets media day was on Nikola Jokic and his proclamation that he’ll be signing an extension next summer. But there were a lot of other interesting and important tidbits and takeaways, including some very introspective comments from one of the newest Nuggets, DeMar DeRozan.
DeMar has played 17 seasons, but has never been on a team with the talent level that Denver possesses. He has constantly been asked to do it all on offense and carry a huge burden when it comes to scoring and creation, but that should finally change in Denver.
It was great to hear DeRozan talk about his role on Monday and show that he perfectly understands what he was brought in to do.
“My whole career, I’ve had the ball in my hands, had to initiate offense… Whatever I can do to take the pressure off Mal or big fella, I'm for all that."
“Throughout my career, the amount of points I scored, majority of them was tough. So being able to play with somebody that demands so much attention but also has the IQ at such a high level that creates easy buckets, it just makes it easier on me.”
This sounds like a veteran player who is ready to take a backseat and play a complementary role to help the Nuggets win. He has countless individual achievements, but he has a chance to contribute to something meaningful in Denver, and helping Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will be the key.
DeRozan can be the third initiator Denver desperately needs
It was glaring in the playoffs how badly they needed another initiator to run the offense and create for others, to take pressure off Murray, and DeMar will be able to do that. But on the other hand, he’ll also be able to play off the ball and get some of the best and easiest looks of his career by playing off of the Nuggets’ two offensive stars.
As long as he knows his role and is willing to sacrifice, the Nuggets’ already elite offense should be able to reach an even higher level. Furthermore, this move is as much about the playoffs as anything, and that’s where the real payoff will come.
Jokic and Murray have hit a wall, and there has been no other outlet for Denver to turn to. Now, with a true, proven scorer like DeMar, they are going to have some real options. They can even have the option of resting Murray and Jokic together to maximize their two-man game and let DeRozan run the show while they sit.
DeMar is far from a perfect player, and he has some serious flaws on the defensive end, but for them to be able to bring him in as a cheap free agent and put him with the best teammates of his career offers the chance for the Nuggets to unlock something very special this season if everyone is on the same page. Actions will speak louder than words, but so far, it certainly sounds like that’s going to be the case.
Add us as a preferred source on Google