Game Day Preview: OKC Thunder complete preseason in snowy Denver

Three Keys:

Bigs battle:

Per above, as great as Adams  has been his challenge will be addressing arguably the best passing big in the game. Summoning Arvydas Sabonis comparisons, Nikola Jokic has Denver feeling like their city and it’s altitude- mile high.

Nuggets under the radar signing:

If Patrick Patterson was considered OKC’s  low key value signing, Paul Millsap may well top the list of under rated free agent signings — period.

Post Jusef Nurkic exit, Denver’s offense sky rocketed. However as good as they were offensively their defense has been equally abysmal. Millsap offers a strong voice for a squad in desperate need of a defensive identity. With the myriad of shooters the Nuggets house, scoring won’t be the problem – stopping teams from scoring will.

Are Nuggets deepest team in the Association?

Star talent exists up front with Jokic and Millsap. But, dissecting who is the third piece of the Nuggets core is the question. Canadian Jamal Murray seems poised to make a leap after playing the entirety of his rookie season with a sports hernia.

However, it’s the next level which makes coach Mike Malone’s job difficult. Denver has so many players who are solid contributors, but better suited to support roles. Wilson Chandler remains a fantasy darling. Plus there are a myriad of wings with varying assets. And, the current iteration is extremely heavy at the power forward position.

If there is an Achilles heel it is at the point. Veteran Jameer Nelson can run the offense, but at this stage in his career would be better served as a backup. Emmanuel Mudiay has yet to take the next step and doesn’t have the same chemistry with Jokic that Nelson or Murray have.

Malone  could capitalize on his depth and utilize all the talent in short spurts to keep everyone fresh. Not sure this is the route they want to take though. More likely the Nuggets will need to decipher who their future core is,  in addition to claiming a  post season berth.