The Denver Nuggets' end-of-the-year press conference with the front office brass was mostly a roundup of their feelings from the prior year and their plans for the upcoming season. And those plans for the upcoming season include upgrading two key areas the Nuggets obviously lacked in the first-round exit against the Timberwolves: athleticism and ball handling.
In fact, ball handling had been such a concern in the final two games of the series that the Nuggets turned to Tyus Jones, a ball control specialist, to run the backcourt off the bench. Jones was mostly an afterthought when he arrived in Denver on a buyout from the Mavericks, but the pressure applied by the Timberwolves forced the Nuggets' hand, and Jones into the lineup. It could have been a precursor for more to come next year.
The Nuggets management team was not shy about stating that they're looking for someone other than Nikola Jokic to handle the ball more and bring it up the floor. The Timberwolves consistently pressured the Nuggets with their athletic guards and wings, and the Nuggets looked out of rhythm throughout the series.
The Timberwolves exposed the Nuggets athleticism
The Nuggets were flat-footed and couldn't get moving fast enough on the perimeter to stop anybody from getting into the paint. Ayo Dosunmu looked like prime Kobe as he drove to the basket against the Nuggets, and he averaged 21.8 points over five games, including a 43-point game off the bench. He's run into some athleticism against the San Antonio Spurs, and he's averaging 5.5 points in two games.
Team president Josh Kroenke even acknowledged how hard it is for Jokic to try and get a stop in the paint when the offensive player is already driving into the lane with a full head of steam. Jokic isn't a rim protector, but he can do a good job of defense if he has a chance to get in front of the driving player.
The Nuggets don't have a lot of wiggle room in cap space, but all options are on the table except for trading Jokic, said Kroenke. One thing the Nuggets are going to try to do is re-sign Peyton Watson. He would have provided the upgrade the Nuggets needed on the perimeter had he not been out injured for the entire series.
The Nuggets could run it back in another variation
Kroenke talked about running it back with the group the Nuggets have, but in another variation. That variation will be the non-core players filling out the roster, and that's where the upgrades will take place. Instead of a Tim Hardaway Jr. shooter first, the Nuggets could look for an athletic, defensive stopper first for that sixth man spot.
It was refreshing to hear the Nuggets talk about doing what it takes to win. Their actions in the offseason will speak to whether or not they get the upgrades required to do it.
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