The first two preseason performances for the Nuggets have been impressive. Though the relative scores by the end of each game has been close (108-102 over the Golden State Warriors and 113-107 over the Los Angeles Lakers respectively), the Nuggets have pulled away in the second half of both.
Gary Harris continues to impress ahead of a potential contract extension from the Nuggets. Against the Lakers, Harris finished with a team-high 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. The Nuggets’ offense, particularly in the second half, has been on fire. In each game, the Nuggets have used big runs in the third quarter to build comfortable leads on the Lakers and Warriors.
On top of that, the Nuggets’ defense looks to be improved a bit. It’s less about actual scheme than activity with the players. Rotations are more crisp and hands are active. This could be largely due to the addition of Paul Millsap, who brings with him great range and anticipation — particularly in the passing lanes. The Nuggets were able to withstand the Lakers playing at a frenetic pace in the first quarter before reeling the Lakers and rookie Lonzo Ball back in.
There isn’t much to complain about, but there are concerns.
Nikola Jokic and Millsap have struggled to mesh at the start of these two games. This has caused the Nuggets’ offense to start slowly, with a fluctuating pace and unclear focal point. It seems as if the team is having a hard time deciding whom they want to run the offense through — Jokic or Millsap — rather than letting flow dictate where the ball goes.
Watching Nuggets switch away from the Jokic-initiated offense — that the Nuggets thrived on last season — to a more point guard-centric one under Jamal Murray and Emmanuel Mudiay raises more significant concerns. It’s had a notable effect on Jokic, who has seemed to struggle mightily with playing off-ball more than he was during the last half of the 2016-17 season.
In the first half of both preseason games, Jokic has alternated between visibly frustrated to possibly disinterested. That’s created some offensive stagnation and resulted in fewer cuts to the basket. Jokic has clearly been struggling to adjust a less ball-dominant role.
These are issues in the abstract, but it’s something to watch going forward. How the Nuggets are able to play with both Jokic and Millsap on the floor together will largely dictate how their season will proceed. However, this is also why the preseason exists; the Nuggets hope that they’re able to work out the kinks sooner rather than later.
The Nuggets clearly want to bring the point guard back to a more traditional role in their offense, but it remains to be seen if that approach works best with the center that they’ve essentially rebuilt their team around.
