With Karl-Anthony Towns now a member of the Knicks, the Timberwolves no longer present major matchup problems for the Nuggets, according to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post.
Denver was eliminated by Minnesota in last season’s playoffs in part because of the Timberwolves’ big man duo of Towns and Rudy Gobert. The Nuggets’ starting lineup had scored 125.9 points per 100 possessions during the regular season, Durando notes, but that number dropped to 102.6 in the second-round series. Oklahoma City now rates as the toughest matchup for Denver as it attempts to win two titles in three seasons.
We have more on the Nuggets:
- Dario Saric was added in free agency on a two-year, $10.6MM deal. The Nuggets were intrigued by his versatility, Durando writes. “I think backup five, backup four, can play with Nikola (Jokic) at times, no doubt,” coach Michael Malone said. “If we go big, play him with a guy like DeAndre Jordan. … What you love about Dario is he’s been a three-man, he’s been a four, and later in his NBA career he’s been a backup five, a small-ball five. Very skilled. Can handle it. Can pass. Can shoot. Bigger than people realize. Strong, physical. I’m excited to explore all the options that Dario will afford us.”
- Aaron Gordon believes the Nuggets improved in the offseason with Saric and Russell Westbrook in the fold. “We got better,” Gordon told Matt Brooks of Nuggets.com. “I hate losing [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope] and Jeff Green, but I like our additions.”
- In case you missed it, the Nuggets picked up the contract options of three key players last week. Get the details here.
Yeah the Wolves are cooked but honestly so is the Nuggets, losing Bruce Brown and KCP in back to back free agencies is a huge blow that they havent been able to recover from, at least on paper
T Wolves are absolutely not cooked lol
It’s a win for the Nuggets that Jokic won’t be chasing KAT around in the playoffs…
Gordon can handle Randle better…
However, Reid ain’t no slouch and can easily cause Jokic/Gordon the same issues KAT did…
Naz is so slouch, but you may be pushing it a little by suggesting that he can present the same issues for the Nugs that KAT did.?
I might have to agree with the belief that the T-Wolves won’t have as easy a time as last year with the Nuggets. Their 3-big rotation of Goedert, KAT and Reid absolutely gave the Nuggets trouble, and with the Wolves losing KAT and the Nuggets adding Saric, the tides have turned and the Nuggets will have an advantage now.
Wolves, Thunder, Warriors and Nuggets are going to comprise the top 4 in the West this year. No idea of the order, but that’s my WCF prediction, 2 of those 4.
Please explain how the Warriors are a top 4 team in the west….
I do agree with Gordon, DEN has improved… Russ/Dario are better than KCP/Green
Nuggets healthy are team to beat. OKC imo is biggest threat. Freak Dallas