Higher ceiling ?

[skywalker33]

We have three young wings that are starting to play more prominent roles for the Nugget in Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Julian Strawther. Both Braun and Watson are heavier on the defesive side, while Strawther can be an offensive juggernaut much like we saw in the Summer League. All three have the potential to get better on their deficient side of the ball.

I'd LOVE to see PWatson build up his shooting, and perhaps his man-on-man D, CB looks the most all-around of the three but still something seems to be missing, while Strawman appears more the 6th/7th man STRICTLY because he has the offense we need, that should limit his time with Jokic (who will raise anyones talent level).

So, who you got as the next star player for this Nuggets team ?

[THE J0KER]

With Jokic, Murray, MPJ, AG, and Russ around we don't need another STAR but just one or two "NBA-starter" level guy(s) from the bench. In this three-way race you mentioned a very big plus (extra playing time minutes) will go to the player who together with SF can fit in the SG role too (IMO).

[Johnny Firpo]

Do we believe in Tyson, at all? Could he get rotational minutes this year?

[skywalker33]

Do we believe in Tyson, at all? Could he get rotational minutes this year?

From what we've seen in SL, I think Hunter needs more development time, perhaps in the G-League before getting real mins in the NBA

[skywalker33]

With Jokic, Murray, MPJ, AG, and Russ around we don't need another STAR but just one or two "NBA-starter" level guy(s) from the bench. In this three-way race you mentioned a very big plus (extra playing time minutes) will go to the player who together with SF can fit in the SG role too (IMO).

Interesting that you bring up the SG position. I recently listened to a DNVR podcast that was promoting the idea that Watson could/should be the starting SG in place of CB. I've always seen PWatson as a SF type because of his rim-protection instincts but if his shooting improves, you may be on to something here too.

[TunaFish]

Do we believe in Tyson, at all? Could he get rotational minutes this year?

It doesn't look good based on summer league. He seems to be missing parts of his game that might develop in time but time is running out. Training camp will likely be the deciding factor.

[TunaFish]

With Jokic, Murray, MPJ, AG, and Russ around we don't need another STAR but just one or two "NBA-starter" level guy(s) from the bench. In this three-way race you mentioned a very big plus (extra playing time minutes) will go to the player who together with SF can fit in the SG role too (IMO).

Interesting that you bring up the SG position. I recently listened to a DNVR podcast that was promoting the idea that Watson could/should be the starting SG in place of CB. I've always seen PWatson as a SF type because of his rim-protection instincts but if his shooting improves, you may be on to something here too.

I am guessing that Braun is entrenched at shooting guard. He has had a long audition and desires a shot. However, Strawther showed something this summer and may also desire a shot. Should be interesting as the position is open.

[skywalker33]

Nice article here, worth the read, makes some good points
https://www.denverstiffs.com/nuggets-almanac-can-peyton-watson-become-the-5th-starter/

[THE J0KER]

KCP 3p% in Denver was over 40% in both seasons, so the best way to replace him is to show the same elite 3&D attitude. Watson's defense is already notable and good enough, but his 3-point shooting percentage dropped from an impressive 43% during his rookie season to just 30% last season. If he fixes that, only the sky is the limit.

[skywalker33]

KCP 3p% in Denver was over 40% in both seasons, so the best way to replace him is to show the same elite 3&D attitude. Watson's defense is already notable and good enough, but his 3-point shooting percentage dropped from an impressive 43% during his rookie season to just 30% last season. If he fixes that, only the sky is the limit.

I'd love to see Peyton regain that touch again, with some consistency. I know that right now, Braun is closer to that as well as the 5th starter position. However, both seem strong assets for the Nuggets future.

[BelgradeNugget]

For Julian Strawther first step is to became playable. People are not aware how bad he was last season. Netrtg for 3 of them last seson

CB 0.7
PWat -0.7
Strawther -9.8

For comparation Justin Holiday had netrtg of 3.7. I would like to have him on the bench again to play if needed. Now PWat had netrtg of -12.0 in 2022-23, so if Strawther make simmilar jump, we are fine. If not we have 8 players and hope for Strawther, Cancar and Nnaji to be useful.

[TunaFish]

For Julian Strawther first step is to became playable. People are not aware how bad he was last season. Netrtg for 3 of them last seson

CB 0.7
PWat -0.7
Strawther -9.8

For comparation Justin Holiday had netrtg of 3.7. I would like to have him on the bench again to play if needed. Now PWat had netrtg of -12.0 in 2022-23, so if Strawther make simmilar jump, we are fine. If not we have 8 players and hope for Strawther, Cancar and Nnaji to be useful.

Strawther was getting minutes and looked promising until he was injured. Then the Nuggets needed to shorten their bench for a playoff run and with two veteran shooting guards in KCP and Braun ahead of him, he couldn't get back into the rotation. He also needed some additional seasoning particularly on defense.

I wish Malone had given him more minutes but he made the choice and has acknowledged Strawther's injury as being the chief factor.

Move forward to Summer league and Strawther was lights out, to the point they didn't need to see more. This is why you will find general belief that Strawther's rotation time has likely come.

Strawther is a shooter who will be needed for the bench. It's plausible that Strawther and Saric will fest on Westbrook's passing.

[BelgradeNugget]

Analysys of Strawther's defense, starts at the bigining of video. It doesn't look good. His DEFRTG is terrible for now, the worst +/- or NETRTG. Hope he can change this for the better.

https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612743/players-advanced?dir=D&sort=DEF_RATING

Watch on YouTube

[skywalker33]

Well, Strawther is scoring 7.7ppg over the 1st 3 games at a .64% FG/ 67% 3pt rate. He ( and the entire bench) is still developing, we can use that development, along with chemistry, needs to be sooner rather than later. Seems like we had no TC, were they all too excited to get to Abu Dhabai ? Seems like it to me

[NuggetsWY]

Analysys of Strawther's defense, starts at the bigining of video. It doesn't look good. His DEFRTG is terrible for now, the worst +/- or NETRTG. Hope he can change this for the better.
https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612743/players-advanced?dir=D&sort=DEF_RATING

As I think about this post, I remember back to Porter's early days and how some on this board, and others, thought Porter should get more PT but coach kept saying things like, "His defense needs more work".

[BelgradeNugget]

Analysys of Strawther's defense, starts at the bigining of video. It doesn't look good. His DEFRTG is terrible for now, the worst +/- or NETRTG. Hope he can change this for the better.
https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612743/players-advanced?dir=D&sort=DEF_RATING

As I think about this post, I remember back to Porter's early days and how some on this board, and others, thought Porter should get more PT but coach kept saying things like, "His defense needs more work".

To be honest MPJ in his rookie season had NETRTG + 0.7, better than Mason Plumlee, Jerami Grant, Torrey Craig...
Last season Julian Strawther had NETRTG - 9.8, as bad as Jordan and Zake. And he was bad defensively in his first two games. Big mistakes like playing good defense, forcing tough shot and then comitting bad foul for no reason to put opponent on the free throw line for easy buckets. It was Tory Craig's problem for the whole time he was in Denver. So Julian's career could have gone MPJ's way or Bones Hyland way.....

BUT after these last 2 games I didn't see any bad mistakes by him. It looks like things are moving in the right direction faster than I expected. I would give him 80% chance he would be contributor in the playoffs this season

And I think he could be real replacement for Bruce B for us. Bruce B was not PG, but shooting guard with ball handling skills who could play off of Jok and Murray. That is why Murray stagger worked so well 2 seasons ago. I think Malone had the same idea for Braun last season but he is simply not that type of player. Julian could be.

Now it is time for Watson to stop commiting stupid mistakes like going for high difficulty dunks that could cost us the game, and we will be fine.

Should I say it loud, while I lost all hope for Zake last season, some hope is here again