Eight burning questions heading into the Nuggets season (Nos. 1-4)

As the Nuggets kick off a new season on Wednesday night, they’ll finally be able to get out from underneath the shadow of their five-game Western Conference Finals loss against the Lakers just 87 days ago, which some would argue was a missed opportunity. Although the shadow of disappointment may disappear, every new season creates new questions. In Denver’s case, some old ones are still lingering, as well, just waiting to be answered.

Here are the first four of my eight burning questions as we embark into the Nuggets 2020-2021 season:

***

No. 4: Is Michael Porter Jr. really a star in the making?

Even though it felt like pulling teeth at times for Michael Malone to get Porter minutes, when MPJ was able to play, he showed flashes of stardom more often than not. From going on runs by himself to making highlight-reel shots, Porter not only captivated the fans locally, but as well as the entire NBA community. A look at his per-36 should make any Nuggets fan giddy with excitement. There is no question Porter has the talent to be a star and the Nuggets third option in the near future, but we won’t get a clear picture until we know if he is starting or coming off of the bench.

Porter did start the first two Nuggets preseason games, but did come off the bench in the final game as Will Barton got the nod. There are also still questions as to whether or not he is a seamless fit with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in the starting five. There were certainly times where he was forced to stand and watch this preseason, with his fit along the dynamic duo feeling very “square-peg, round-hole.” Whether he starts or is the sixth man, Porter should be poised for a breakout year that could see him in consideration for some NBA awards at season’s end.

***

No. 3: Can Jamal Murray remain consistent offensively throughout an entire season?

Did any player have a more electrifying postseason than Murray? In 10 of the 19 bubble postseason games the Nuggets played, Murray scored at least 26 points. Murray also put forth two 40-point games and two 50-point games, some of which came in elimination scenarios. The question with Murray has never been about his ability to score the basketball; it’s been his ability to do it night in and night out. I know Jamal can explode for 40-plus on any given night and I love that! On the other hand, it’s frustrating that an explosion like that is usually sandwiched between games where he barely scores above 10 points or is somewhere in the teens on a rough shooting night.

Murray has the potential to not just be an All-Star-caliber player, but one of the best guards in the entire NBA. But for him to do it he must find that consistent balance. Scoring 50 in a primetime TNT game is awesome, but what about on those Tuesday nights in February against a pushover team? If he can give me somewhere between 23 to 25 points a night, I think it only makes the Nuggets that much more dangerous.

***

No. 2: Will Nikola Jokic avoid his early season slump?

I’m not sure what is slower: Jokic’s foot speed or his starts to each season. Either way, it’s a legitimate argument and one we can hopefully put to rest this season. Since Jokic’s first full season as a starter, we have gotten accustomed to seeing Jokic struggle until December when he usually comes alive. November’s in particular are not kind to Jokic, as throughout most of his career that has been the month that he averages his least amount of points and just feels way more passive than usual.

Last season, Jokic came into camp significantly overweight, which probably factored into his slow start at that time. Even with a condensed offseason, Jokic continues to remain in peak condition as we saw in the NBA bubble and already looks to be in midseason form if we go off of the eye-test from preseason. Malone expressed earlier this week that Jokic has invested more into his body and conditioning and looks to be primed for some MVP consideration this year. It also helps that the season starts in the month of December, avoiding November altogether which can only mean good things for Jokic, right?

***

No. 1: Who is the alpha of the Denver Nuggets?

For the past few seasons, I don’t think any have questioned who the best player on the Nuggets is or has been. I think it would be fair to say, specifically before the NBA bubble, that if you asked your average NBA fan or even Nuggets fans who the face of the franchise is, they would say Nikola Jokic. Following the bubble I still believe that answer remains the same, but it isn’t crazy to think that Murray or even Porter could change that in the coming season or seasons.

This was a question that loomed large over the Nuggets in the playoff series versus the Jazz as they were down 3-1. Who will be “the man” when the season is over? Can it be Jokic who at times can be too passive? Should it be Murray, who we know is the ultimate competitor, if and when he can figure out the consistency issue? Could it be Porter? Does it even need to just be one guy? Regardless of who it is, I know that any NBA team this coming postseason will have their hands full because these Nuggets are on a mission.