TOP POSTS

Evans: Practicing patience the key to the Nuggets offseason plans

May 21, 2017, 11:30 PM | Updated: 11:33 pm

There has to be a sense of optimism that the Denver Nuggets are trending in the right direction. I feel that way, although I don’t know what the ceiling is for this team.

I don’t necessarily see a future NBA champion in this group, but I do see a team that could be capable of getting back to the level of 50-win seasons and first- or second-round playoff showings.

Of course, the Kroenkes felt that level was unacceptable as they low balled executive Masai Ujiri and ran out head coach George Karl.

But, hey, several years of playoff DNQs can make those seem like the good ol’ days, so we take what we can get.

This past season was a semi-success. There was improvement made, and the Nuggets flirted with the playoffs.

But the flirtation wasn’t enough. The Nuggets needed a playoff appearance to get some buzz going into next season.

Denver was dead last in the NBA in average attendance. While the team certainly has its fair share of loyal fans and rabid media — go back and look at my Twitter timeline to see some of the donnybrooks I got into with new age Nugget bloggers — the fact is the Nuggets do very little to move the meter on the overall Denver sports scene.

That’s why making the playoffs next year is a must. To do it, it will have to happen with mostly the same group we watched this year.

It starts with Nikola Jokic making the leap. I really like his game. I’m a child of the ‘80s — the best basketball decade in the history of the NBA — and I see an old school big man flavor to the way he plays.

But the rush to crown Jokic a great player, or even a superstar, this year was ridiculous. He showed flashes, no doubt. But he has to develop more consistency in his game. That starts with getting stronger during the offseason. It means getting in better shape.

Jokic averaged 28 minutes per game this season. In order for him to be considered a superstar, he needs to be out there consistently. Anthony Davis averaged 36 minutes per game. Blake Griffin, 34. Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota, the subject of plenty of “Who would you rather have, Towns or Jokic?” debates, averaged 37.

This is a crucial offseason for “The Joker.”

The other big question for me is the backcourt. I like how Emmanuel Mudiay responded to his midseason exile with some newfound maturity and professionalism. But there are major holes in his game.

Two years into his NBA career, Mudiay has averaged just 12 points per game and shot a ghastly 37 percent from the field and 32 percent on threes.

Jamal Murray has intriguing potential, but he looks like more as a shooting guard than a point guard. Denver could try and make Murray into a point guard, but would it work? There are so many good point guards in this league. How long would it take for him to adapt? And while you’re waiting, does it take away from his natural ability to go out there and score?

I like Gary Harris a lot. I’d like to see more of Malik Beasley. I’m a Will Barton fan.

It seems like the Nuggets have a glut of 2 guards or guards without a true position. But what they don’t have is a pure point guard. (More on that in a moment).

Other observations regarding the roster:

I’m prepared to move on from Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler. To me, they represent the “old” Nuggets. I believe both sides would benefit from a parting of the ways.

I like Mason Plumlee, but let’s not make him into something bigger than he really is.

Denver needs to get a lot better defensively. They allowed 111.2 points per game last year. Only three teams allowed more. The Nuggets need more of a defensive presence down low — another element of Jokic’s game that must improve — and its wing and backcourt defense needs to be better.

Which brings us to free agency. I know there was a lot of excitement about the Nuggets being in on Dwyane Wade this past offseason. Now, let’s call that for what it was: Wade had no interest in coming to Denver and was simply using the Nuggets to drive up the price for another team.

The bright side: Thank goodness Wade wasn’t serious about Denver because that would’ve been a colossal mistake as he looks like a burned out player who’s literally on his last legs.

There will be a lot of brave talk coming out about the Nuggets being “players” in free agency.

I’m skeptical. I just don’t see Denver as being enough of a destination to lure big-name free agents. I don’t see how “the lure” of playing with Jokic will be enough.

So, as much as I’d love to see a Kyle Lowry here (talk about fixing your point guard problem), I just don’t think that’s realistic. The same goes with a Paul Millsap or a Gordon Hayward.

There are a couple of free agents out there that could be interested in coming here if Denver is willing to overpay. Both fit the Nuggets need for more ruggedness and more of a defensive presence.

One is Serge Ibaka of the Toronto Raptors. He’s been around seemingly forever, but he’s still only 27 years old. He knows the Nuggets from his days with the Oklahoma City Thunder. There could be a fit there, although Toronto traded for Ibaka and wants to keep him, and I can’t see Ujiri, now the Raptors general manager (Why’d we ever let him go?), allowing him to escape to Denver.

The other would be the rare free agent who wouldn’t have to be sold on coming to Denver. That’s former University of Colorado star Andre Roberson.

Roberson established himself as the lone Thunder player who seemed willing to try to do something to help Russell Westbrook during Oklahoma City’s playoff series.

The former Buff is an eyesore offensively, but he can play some serious defense. Plus, he’s got sandpaper to his game.

The Nuggets have plenty of offense to cover his offensive shortcomings, but they could use his type of game.

Top Posts

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Logan Paulsen #82, George Kittle #85, Tight Ends/Assistant Head Coa...

Nick Ferguson

The Extra Mile: Broncos must not walk but run to hire Jon Embree

There's a hire the Broncos "desperately need to make" as they fill out their staff, and it's a name Denver fans should be familiar with

2 years ago

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 8: Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley (L) appears on The Spor...

Johnny Hart

Les Shapiro had unyielding conviction … and a solid appetite

A (hopefully) fitting tribute from a former college to one of Denver’s most highly regarded sports broadcasters

2 years ago

(Photo via Getty Images)...

Kendall Valenzuela

Nuggets start free agency by keeping the band together

The Denver Nuggets reportedly re-signed unrestricted free agents Will Barton and JaMychal Green to two-year contracts

3 years ago

Teddy Bridgewater...

Kendall Valenzuela

Bridgewater’s “survivor” mentality has readied him for QB battle

Teddy Bridgewater has bounced around the league with many teams, but the veteran quarterback believes that has only made him stronger

3 years ago

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game ag...

Kendall Valenzuela

Von Miller hopes to play ‘five to seven more years’ in NFL

Von Miller believes he still has many years left in the NFL, but the idea could topple his hopes of being a "Bronco for life"

3 years ago

Broncos roster...

Kendall Valenzuela

Denver Broncos sign DB Tedric Thompson

The Denver Broncos have added more depth to their secondary by signing safety Tedric Thompson, per Tom Pelissero

3 years ago

Evans: Practicing patience the key to the Nuggets offseason plans