Nuggets News

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) walks off the court as the cheerleaders rush on after the overtime loss of their winner-take-all regular-season finale vs the Minnesota Timberwolves 112 -106 at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. April 11, 2018 Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Can Will Barton be effective at the wing?

Denver Nuggets: Predicting player ratings for NBA 2K19

Why the Denver Nuggets should take a chance on Monte Morris

Denver Nuggets: Nugg Love 2019 mock NBA playoff prediction

(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Five surprising actions which could happen

OAKLAND, CA. - MAY 02: Denver Nuggets President and Governor Josh Kroenke (L) and Owner Stan Kroenke walk off the court after the Nuggets lose to the Warriors 92-88 in Game 6 of the first round NBA Playoffs May 2, 2013 at Oracle Arena. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Two ways they can avoid paying the luxury tax

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 3: Gary Harris #14 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets high five during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: How they match up with Golden State

(Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Meet the new Cinderella team, the Denver Nuggets

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 17: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game on November 17, 2017 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic showed shades of Tim Duncan this past season

The Nuggets kept their win streak alive with a satisfying win against the Charlotte Hornets.Often, this season, the Nuggets have strung together enough good performances that we breathe a little easier and declare they've turned a corner. That elation is usually followed by baffling defeats to inferior teams. It's hard to say, with this team, if they've truly overcome the malaise that prevents them from jumping into that top-tier of Western Conference teams.Last night's contest with the visiting Hornets was one of those "trap" games that have plagued this gifted but inconsistent team. This night was different, though, led by Gary Harris' 27, the Nuggets were able to easily overcome the Hornets, 121-104, leading to further speculation that the Nuggets have shed the underachiever label and graduated to that next level.The win put the Nuggets back into the 6th spot in the Western Conference playoff race, a single game behind 5th place OKC. Nikola Jokic led with 16 rebounds and Will Barton handed out a team high 8 assists. Among the starters, only Wilson Chandler did not score in double-digits. The bench performed well, with Lyles, Mudiay and DA combining for 33 points, and Torrey Craig matching Lyles with 7 boards. Craig had a scare late on a high-flying block attempt (They say Flagrant 1 on DA, I say clean block.).Over the summer, I wrote about the Nuggets need to stay the course. My contention was, that, for the 2018-19 season, there is virtually no pathway to a championship for this young team. Without the addition of several, proven, top players, there is little chance that the Nuggets could beat the Warriors or Rockets over a 7-game series. The wise path forward, then is to develop the incredible amount of talent this team has cultivated and be prepared for when it is their time.The central theme of my piece was that our core, at full potential, is better than anything we could get in trade or through free agency. Put another way, at the top of their game, there's not another Center, Shooting Guard or Point that I'd rather have in Denver than Jokic, Harris and Murray. By way of support, I point to our 2-2 record against the Champs and the last week of games. This team is on the verge of breaking through.This is specifically why I bristle at the rumored trade scenarios out there for the Nuggets. There is no value in making moves just to make moves. I can't make the case that this team would be markedly improved by the addition of Kemba Walker, Elfrid Payton, Marcus Smart or any of the proposed PG swaps that we've heard (Collison?). We saw Kemba last night, we've seen Payton, I just don't see that their games would improve the Nuggets fortunes enough to mess with what has become great chemistry on this team. If we need a lesson on what damaging team chemistry can do to a tight team, we need look no further than across I-25 to the aftermath of the Broncos decision to part ways with TJ Ward. A seemingly small move, with a rising stud coming up behind him in Justin Simmons but it had an impact on a secondary that had finished first in the NFL two consecutive years.I get that professional sports are a business. I get that an immeasurable value like "chemistry" is difficult to attach a lot of team resources to but if this team has turned a corner and is competing and beating the top teams in the league, what need is there to upend that? We are already facing the imminent return and reintegration of Paul Millsap, which for all intents and purposes will be like acquiring him via trade. The fan base is easily placated with wins, so there's no need to appease them. The Nuggets have the highest increase in attendance in the league, they just had the largest crowd in their Pepsi Center history. They are smiling, they are enjoying this (Gary Harris declining to get posterized by Dwight Howard was classic). Until they show signs of regression, someone is going to have to explain to me why there's such a push to make a move before the trade deadline on Thursday.This will, of course, all be put to the test on Friday against a Rockets team that's pushing Golden State for the top record in the league. James Harden is playing the best basketball of his career and looks unstoppable. It's fitting, then that whatever team the Nuggets roll into Houston with is the team they will carry to the end of the season. I for one, believe in this team, as constituted. It's been fun to fantasize about what-if scenarios for LeBron or Kawhi but the realistic prospects for the Nuggets don't justify tinkering with a team that's playing as good as any in the League.As we saw last night, the Nuggets are fully capable of powering through trap games, coming off of big wins. If that maintains, it's one of the final hurdles to this team making some postseason noise and one step closer to NBA legitimacy.

Denver Nuggets: Free agency update #2

DENVER, CO - MARCH 12: The Denver Nuggets pose for the official team photo on March 12, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: They are on pace for a 50 win season

DENVER, CO - MARCH 9: Darrell Arthur #00 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 9, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Time to trade Darrell Arthur

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 27: Paul Millsap

Denver Nuggets: Paul Millsap deserves a chance

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 06: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on December 6, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenneth Faried

Denver Nuggets: Three trades to shed salary

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against Mason Plumlee #24 of the Denver Nuggets on December 15, 2017 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Did DeMarcus Cousins ruin the Denver Nuggets’ chances?

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Juan Hernangomez #41 of the Denver Nuggets garbs a rebound during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 12, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Will Juancho be a surprise next season?

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets speaks with media after defeating the Sacramento Kings on November 20, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: ESPN has taken it too far this time

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 12: Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets: What Jokic needs to overcome to become a two way player

DENVER- 1990: Fat Lever #12 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles against the Utah Jazz during a game played circa 1990 at McNicholls Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1990 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Fat Lever vs. Chauncey Billups

(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Jokic will be a MVP candidate next season

DENVER, CO - MARCH 7: Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) loses control of the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) looks on in the third quarter on March 7, 2018 at Pepsi Center. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

What the LeBron decision means for the Denver Nuggets

Cleveland Cavaliers v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - MARCH 7: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 7, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 929060806

Denver Nuggets: Free agency update, day one

DENVER, CO - JUNE 22: Denver Nuggets draft pick, Michael Porter Jr., poses for a photo during a press conference on June 22, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Fans have been “trusting the process,” before it was cool

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 3: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Five cheap options at point guard

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 03: Fans react after Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets: Jokic a Nugget for life?

DENVER, CO - APRIL 9: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 9, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Is Jamal Murray a superstar in the making?

Denver Nuggets: Alex English vs. Carmelo Anthony

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Nikola Jokic #15 and Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter of the game on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: How Denver can build a super-team by 2020