RealGM

This was a good look at who should be in our starting lineup

http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/denver_nuggets_who_should_be_their_starting_five/19339537

The way I see it three of the five are all but sealed up as I see PG Mudiay, SF Galinari and PF Faried as givens. Think Nurkic will start at C if he/when is healthy, not sure he will be by season's start. The one I'd like to get some thoughts on is the SG position. I have to agree that Barton should come off the bench, provides that needed spark of energy. However, I don't see Harris as being ready but what better way to develop his chemistry with Mudiay and build his confidence should he be any better than he was in the SL. If he remains in the "developing" stages, it can also help us in a tanking/rebuilding thru the draft mode.

On the flip side, I think Foye would be better suited to start the season at the SG. Not only is he a veteran better suited to support our rookie PG Mudiay, but he may be able to build some trade value.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-xdqzQ3-gc&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

Problem with Foye is that his defensive metrics are among worst in the league bad. And his shooting numbers were really awful for a shooter last season. Not that wins and losses matter for the season but I don't see a defense first coach like Malone doing that.

I've read that Nurkic won't be ready by training camp.

Personally I'd go with Mudiay-Chandler-Gallo-Arthur-Faried. That lineup is versatile enough to switch on every possession.

I would start Foye and Nelson ...the goal for the season is to develope Mudiay and see if Harris can pan out,the Chinese leauge cant compare to the Euro Leauges not to mention the Nba,he needs to develope properly in my opinion.
He should lead the rotation and learn,its the West conf,99%of pg will "eat him alive" plus why add pressure with the starting role,we got a good veteran with nelson who was an all star(got injured so he didnt participate)i would start Mudiay when pg-s like Westbrook get hot,so he learns what is like to guard an elite level player,and againts Conley so he feels whats like to get defended by the best...but against OKC i would give him alot of minutes so he really gets what an similar player with his size can do...Malone can teach him alot about great D,and Nelson will mentor him and also maybe help him to develope a jump shoot.
My starting 5 would be Nelson-Foye-Chandler-Gallo-Faried/JL cause Nurkic will be injured,Jokic cant currently play the C...Its gonna be a long season...

Nelson
Foye
Gallinari
Faried
Nurkic

Trade Faried mid season and start Chandler-Gallinari
Hopefully grab some picks and expirings for Faried.

i would look to start harrris. foye is just so bad at D its not even funny anymore.

Foye should start at SG due to lack of options....Harris barely moved the needle as a sophomore in the summer league this year. He's an under-sized SG that has yet to show he can shoot. If he wasn't a guaranteed contract he'd probably be in the D-League.

Gallo is the only locked in starter for me right now. Not sure Mudiay is ready, SG spot muddled, and with Nurk coming back from injury the PF-C starters should be the best overall duo. Faried likely the PF but I wouldn't lock it in.

PG-Mudiay
SG-Barton
SF-Gallo
PF-Faried
C-Jokic(until Nurkic is 100% ready)

I thought Nurkic was supposed to be back to full strength by training camp?

I think the starting SG will come down to Barton and Foye, but will be partially dependant on who wins the starting PG role. Foye will likely spend most of his time on the court with Mudiay as they need his shooting on the court.

I see the lineup coming out of camp as
Nelson
Barton
Gallo
Faried
Nurkic

and by mid January I can see it being
Mudiay
Foye
Gallo
Faried
Nurkic

Mudiay. I would be surprised if Mudiay is not starting day one. Perhaps, I am overstating his case but I think Mudiay is special and that it will be apparent quickly.

Foye. Shooting guard is a problem with too many flawed candidates. Foye is the frontrunner. I would rather see an upgrade here.

Gallo is a key (like Mudiay) to this season and will start at small forward.

Faried could be real good with a great penetrating point guard and a probable starter at PF.

Nurkic will be the starter sometime this season but Jokic will fill in for him until Nurkic is ready. Jokic in a interesting prospect and the center position could be a real strength.

Jokic is no where near ready to start at C in the NBA, we'll be seeing a lot of fan fav JJ Hickson.

Powder Blue wrote:Jokic is no where near ready to start at C in the NBA, we'll be seeing a lot of fan fav JJ Hickson.

I believe you're right but common sense says we should start Jokic, get him some experience vs. NBA players, build for the future even at the expense of losing a some games (which in the end might not be a bad thing in the end).

We can always start Jokic(until Nurkic is 100% healthy) and then if he can't play against them you put in Arthur or Hickson.
He has to get some experience, and it's better to get it when game begins, rather than 4th quarter. There are better chances to come back if you are losing by 10 in 2nd Q, than in 4th...

Mike Malone seems to be pretty old school, he's not going to start a kid that's not ready, he'll bring him along slowly.

Jokic doesnt have to start,but he should get a nice amount of minutes so he gets the first hand exp,and i wouldnt mind sending him to the d-leauge at all,he needs to play...if he adjust his body to the nba centar standard i think he can be a starter at the C or PF .I know we are going to have a hard season but with Malone i know that every player is going to play hard.I think we have all the tools to have a Utah Jazz kind of rebuild.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/09/28/nuggets-gm-teenager-emmanuel-mudiay-will-start/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs&ref=yfp

I am not a fan of it, but it looks like Mudiay is going into camp as the starting PG.

Watching the presser, which was very good, get that feeling that it will be Mudiay-Foye-Gallo-Faried-Nurkic/Joffrey.

I'm thinking Mudiay-Harris-Gallo-WC-Faried right now.

I'd rather play the youngins', since we're completely outmatched with most of the Western Conference on talent.

PG: Mudiay
SG: Barton or Harris
SF: Gallinari/Chandler, whatever
PF: Lauvergne
C: Jokic then Nurkic when healthy

Try to get something for Faried, Hickson, Foye. Go after starting-caliber SG and/or decent draft pick. There's some good young talent that's a couple of years away, let's build and stop thinking we're going to win many games.

I like starting Mudiay. He's our franchise player and he seems mentally tough enough to take a beating and learn from his mistakes right away.

Lauvergne continues his impressive play along with Jokic. Lauvergne should fit in right behind Faried while Jokic starts until Nurkic gets back in a month or so. Hickson's presence/playing time confuses me and I don't like that he's probably going to be our starting C until Nurkic gets back.

Any update about Gallo ? Will play today ?