The Denver Nuggets are currently without guards Gary Harris, Monte Morris, Torrey Craig and P.J. Dozier, creating a strong possibility for big man lineups.
Most Denver Nuggets fans have a favorite hypothetical lineup, a wacky combination of players who would never be deployed together under normal circumstances. However, there’s a great chance these imaginations become reality soon, as commonly-used Nuggets lineups could be blown apart completely.
According to multiple sources, Denver is currently without guards Gary Harris, Monte Morris, Torrey Craig, P.J. Dozier and swingman Michael Porter Jr. down in the bubble, creating a need for out-of-the-box thinking from head coach Mike Malone.
The creative possibilities are endless, as the rumor-mill involves deployment of unique jumbo lineups to counteract Denver’s guard shortage. Let’s examine a few of these rumored possibilities:
Jerami Grant will likely see time at the 3-spot, an option some have been championing for since he was acquired last summer.
Murray and Grant could occupy the backcourt with Bol Bol at small forward when Will Barton rests.
Barton, Grant, Bol, Mason Plumlee and Nikola Jokic could play together when Murray and Millsap rest.
Malone has acknowledged the odd circumstances in Orlando, emphasizing the Nuggets will do whatever necessary to keep the best players on the court.
“If we have to play Bol Bol at point guard, we will play Bol Bol at point guard, ” Malone said.
Many fans/analysts are worried, as Denver’s lack of backcourt depth causes a clear need for odd lineups and unprecedented amendments. There may be less to fear than the eye-test suggests, however. Why?
For starters, every team is absorbing punches in Orlando, and Denver’s situation is not unique. Did you know the Houston Rockets limped through camp without James Harden and Russell Westbrook until Harden’s arrival last week? Players are missing, unconditioned or unversed in team playbooks. Most squads will be forced to make lemonade with the best lineups they can muster.
Another notable involves the superstars-over-depth concept, as the postseason usually features a team’s top two players with perhaps timely contributions from a third. The Nuggets have their two best players in Jokic and Murray, which is a huge positive for when the playoffs begin.
What’s more, Denver also has its third and fourth-best contributors in Barton and Millsap, two hungry veterans who are capable of providing a lift. Grant, arguably Denver’s fifth-most effective player, is also present.
The Nuggets will have their major pieces come postseason play, even if the remaining eight regular-season games involve wacky, unprecedented lineups.
And regarding these unique player combinations, there’s much to be excited for, as several advantages run tandem with these big man lineups. These circumstances could feature shooting, defensive and post elements that have never been seen before. Let’s take a look:
Denver Nuggets</a> fans have a favorite hypothetical lineup, a wacky combination of players who would never be deployed together under normal circumstances. However, there’s a great chance these imaginations become reality soon, as commonly-used Nuggets lineups could be blown apart completely.</p>
<p>According to multiple sources, Denver is currently without guards Gary Harris, Monte Morris, Torrey Craig, P.J. Dozier and swingman Michael Porter Jr. down in the bubble, creating a need for out-of-the-box thinking from head coach Mike Malone.</p>
<p>The creative possibilities are endless, as the rumor-mill involves deployment of unique jumbo lineups to counteract Denver’s guard shortage. Let’s examine a few of these rumored possibilities:</p>
<ul>
<li>Jerami Grant will likely see time at the 3-spot, an option some have been championing for since he was acquired last summer.</li>
<li>Murray and Grant could occupy the backcourt with Bol Bol at small forward when Will Barton rests.</li>
<li>Barton, Grant, Bol, Mason Plumlee and Nikola Jokic could play together when Murray and Millsap rest.</li>
</ul>
<p>Malone has acknowledged the odd circumstances in Orlando, emphasizing the Nuggets will do whatever necessary to keep the best players on the court.</p>
<p>“If we have to play Bol Bol at point guard, we will play Bol Bol at point guard, ” Malone said.</p>
<p>Many fans/analysts are worried, as Denver’s lack of backcourt depth causes a clear need for odd lineups and unprecedented amendments. There may be less to fear than the eye-test suggests, however. Why?</p>
<p>For starters, every team is absorbing punches in Orlando, and Denver’s situation is not unique. Did you know the Houston Rockets limped through camp without James Harden and Russell Westbrook until Harden’s arrival last week? Players are missing, unconditioned or unversed in team playbooks. Most squads will be forced to make lemonade with the best lineups they can muster.</p>
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<p>Another notable involves the superstars-over-depth concept, as the postseason usually features a team’s top two players with perhaps timely contributions from a third. The Nuggets have their two best players in Jokic and Murray, which is a huge positive for when the playoffs begin.</p>
<p>What’s more, Denver also has its third and fourth-best contributors in Barton and Millsap, two hungry veterans who are capable of providing a lift. Grant, arguably Denver’s fifth-most effective player, is also present.</p>
<p>The Nuggets will have their major pieces come postseason play, even if the remaining eight regular-season games involve wacky, unprecedented lineups.</p>
<p>And regarding these unique player combinations, there’s much to be excited for, as several advantages run tandem with these big man lineups. These circumstances could feature shooting, defensive and post elements that have never been seen before. Let’s take a look:</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/07/19/denver-nuggets-breaking-down-potential-big-man-lineups/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Shooting </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-401091" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/07/19/denver-nuggets-breaking-down-potential-big-man-lineups/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2137,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F06%2F1198674816.jpeg" alt="Denver Nuggets" width="3200" height="2137" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/06/1198674816.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/06/1198674816-768x513.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Shooting</h3>
<p>While inconsistent shooting around Jokic has become a frustrating norm, Denver’s best marksmen have primarily been the big men in the bubble. Millsap drained a team-best 44.0 percent from deep this season, establishing himself as a marquee knock-down threat in his older age. Grant shot 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 1.4 3-point makes per game (third-best on the team).</p>
<p>Bol Bol’s smooth stroke has generated buzz, and he splashed a scorching 52.0 percent from deep in college, knocking down 1.4 3-point makes per contest. Don’t forget Troy Daniels at backup guard, a career 39.6 percent distance shooter who should be called upon at some point.</p>
<p>Denver’s sweet-shooting big men have converted triples at a high percentage, but there’s also a volume-related advantage here. Grant is an athletic 6’9” while Bol stands 7’2”, and the duo might play the two and three-slots alongside Millsap and Jokic.</p>
<p>Smaller defenders will be left to contest Grant’s and Bol’s 3-point attempts, and shooting over 6’3”-6’4” defenders is highly favorable. Look for Denver to finally possess a deep-ball game that requires defensive attention.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/07/19/denver-nuggets-breaking-down-potential-big-man-lineups/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defense </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-404487" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/07/19/denver-nuggets-breaking-down-potential-big-man-lineups/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2465,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1209388624.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2465" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1209388624.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1209388624-768x592.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Defense</h3>
<p>Most fans are especially nervous here, as defensive foot-speed is a concern. Significant problems lurk if Denver plays the Houston Rockets, a team that enjoys isolating bigs on the switch. No matter how you slice it, Denver will miss Gary Harris and Torrey Craig on the stopping end, especially against high-octane guards.</p>
<p>With that said, the Nuggets have sturdy stoppers remaining, and length is suddenly an advantage defensively. Grant proved himself an excellent on-ball defender this season, and he’s the primary option against the likes of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic.</p>
<p>Millsap is Denver’s best help-side defender, leading the squad with a 102.2 defensive rating. Barton is a large, above-average stopper at the guard spot, which is where he should primarily play.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, these big lineups featuring Grant and Bol ooze shot-altering potential. With Grant and Bol playing minutes on the wing, expect opposing shooters and slashers alike to struggle lofting shots over the collection of long arms.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/07/19/denver-nuggets-breaking-down-potential-big-man-lineups/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Quick post buckets </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-404489" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/07/19/denver-nuggets-breaking-down-potential-big-man-lineups/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1195688565.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1195688565.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1195688565-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Quick post buckets</h3>
<p>This concept is commonly seen in Jokic-Millsap lineups, as Denver often capitalizes on favorable matchups with quick post buckets. When Millsap draws a smaller defender, he’ll usually run directly to the post and ready himself for the pass.</p>
<p>Jokic is among the league’s best at facilitating easy buckets, and he’ll pass Millsap into scoring position, often resulting in a quick-strike bucket for Denver.</p>
<p>Likewise, these larger lineups could allow others to partake in this method of attack. Grant is a key example here, as he occasionally runs this play with Jokic.</p>
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<p>If the Jokic-Millsap-Grant trio takes the floor together, Grant may draw a much smaller defender, in which case he can capitalize on a quick-post entry that will likely send opposing defenses into a fret.</p>
<p>Depending on matchups, Millsap, Bol and Mason Plumlee could also cash in on this play. Denver will have mismatches everywhere and should plan accordingly for post buckets.</p>
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