We heard a lot about it during training camp, and saw a little of it in preseason, but through two regular season games, the Nuggets have yet to turn to their double-big lineup. With games so far against the Warriors and Suns, Denver has played two smaller teams, and there hasn’t been a need for the jumbo lineups, but that may change on Monday night against the Timberwolves.
The Wolves employ one of the best frontcourts in the league, rolling out an excellent size and skill combo with Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid. Denver may need some extra beef up front to combat the Wolves, which creates a perfect opportunity for David Adelman to play Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas together.
The two European giants shared the floor for brief stints during the preseason, and we got a good look at some of the advantages and mismatches that can create. The Joker and Big Val both have great ball skills; they can comfortably operate inside and out, and can screen for each other and move around, wreaking havoc on opposing defenses.
Nuggets’ big lineup can perfectly combat Timberwolves
With the way Aaron Gordon is playing, the Nuggets have so many options, they should be able to find a good mix against Minnesota. They can have both centers on the floor and bump AG to small forward. He can still guard someone like Randle and allow one of the centers to roam off a non-shooter, patrolling the paint.
Denver should be able to dominate the boards and defend the rim while still trotting out enough skill to be more than competitive on the perimeter as well. This kind of lineup may not be sustainable for long stretches of time, but in short bursts, it could become a real weapon for the Nuggets.
We’ll see just how much they are willing to lean into some of these unique combinations, and if it becomes an adjustment, or something that Adelmna is proactive about. Either way, it’s an exciting possibility, and one that didn’t exist in recent years.
But with the added depth that was brought in this offseason, there are now so many more options for this team to work with. Adelman and his staff can get creative, and that’s exactly what they should do.
We know this team’s ceiling, and we know their ultimate ambitions. The regular season should largely be used to experiment. Not everything they try will work, but if they can add a few new tools to their arsenal, they’re going to be that much more dangerous for the playoffs.