RealGM

What are your expectations for training camp?

My expectations:

Our starting lineup is probably last year's so training camp shouldn't be focused there.

Hernangomez needs to prove he's 100%.
Grant needs to learn how he'll fit in to the rotation and the offense and the defense.
Vanderbilt needs to prepare to implement what he learned last year.
Porter needs to prove on the court that he's ready.

Plus the battle for the 15th roster spot will be interesting.

I'm wondering if we should start to look at starting Grant and have Millsap come off the bench. It's really an eventuality that Grant will become the starter at PF as well as Millsap needing minute restrictions so why not get a jump on it ?? I know how well PM and Joker work together but this will also allow PM to matchup against 2nd string talent and provide some defense against that unit while keeping him a bit fresher. It would also give us a better idea if we could/should bring PM back in the future.

As for Grant, it'll give him a chance to build on his breakout season, build some chemistry with Jokic and I don't see a huge dropoff from what PM is bringing already.

skywalker33 wrote:I'm wondering if we should start to look at starting Grant and have Millsap come off the bench. It's really an eventuality that Grant will become the starter at PF as well as Millsap needing minute restrictions so why not get a jump on it ?? I know how well PM and Joker work together but this will also allow PM to matchup against 2nd string talent and provide some defense against that unit while keeping him a bit fresher. It would also give us a better idea if we could/should bring PM back in the future.

As for Grant, it'll give him a chance to build on his breakout season, build some chemistry with Jokic and I don't see a huge dropoff from what PM is bringing already.

Music to my ears...

Hearing Porter wants to focus on the defensive end of the court this year, says he doesn’t have to just look to score.

skywalker33 wrote:Hearing Porter wants to focus on the defensive end of the court this year, says he doesn’t have to just look to score.

Yeah, Denver hasn't had trouble scoring for a while and Porter seems to have a nice shot and has a reputation as a scorer. DEFENSE! That's big; even with our improvement last year, defense makes the difference. Think about this lineup in terms of defense:

Jokic - better than most give him credit for.
Millsap - 'nuff said.
Porter - ???
Harris - 'nuff said.
Murray - still learning.

Bench defense:
Plumlee
Grant - maybe Vanderbilt
Craig

There's a lot of defensive potential there.

Well then he becomes a two-way player that could be elite

Are you ready?

Jorge Gutierrez add to the training camp roster. He's a 30 yr old PG, so probably just joining to help out (and maybe get a shot at another team).

Did you see today's "Training Camp News"? Interesting little tidbit: Elijah Millsap was signed to the "Training Camp Roster" even though training camp is about over. No doubt he can be kept on through the pre-season. He's a 6'6" wing and the younger brother of Paul Millsap. Skeptics might think it was a favor to Paul Millsap, but he's played about 1,000 minutes over three years in the NBA. His shooting wasn't great and that's probably why he's been out of the NBA for three years. As my feeble memory recalls, he was athletic and active but not a great defender or scorer. He had a decent G-League career though.

MSN speculated that he was signed because Barton's injury was a little more than originally indicated. He can play in practice and end-of-game situations during the pre-season; when Malone wants to rest everyone else.

Training camp news, nothing news worth IMO. Surprising because we have a full roster, but Elijah is just auditioning for another gig, there is absolutely no room on this roster from him. Goodwill to Paul at best,

Talk about short-timers, Nuggets already waived Millsap (Elijah) and Jorge Gutierrez without as much as a preseason game. Roster down to 18 players.