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The offseason has finally come to an end. With the Nuggets season ending in Game 82 last year, it’s been six long months since we were last able to see actual basketball games that mattered for our team, but the time of waiting has come to a close. Basketball is back!
We hope that if you’re in Denver or the surrounding area that you’ll be able to attend our watch party at Rhein Haus, which is our first Stiffs Night Out of the year as well as the official Denver Nuggets watch party. That’s right, the event is sponsored in part by the Denver Nuggets, who will be doing giveaways, contests, and reportedly offering drink specials. If you’re able to attend, why not go? You’ll have a great time, and there’s a decent chance you’ll walk away with tickets to the first home game.
Here are our predictions for the upcoming Nuggets season.
Who will lead the team in scoring?
By Zach Mikash
Will Barton. As a full time starter who will have the benefit of playing more minutes with Jokic, Barton will get around the same amount of looks but they’ll be better quality overall. There’s a good chance he’ll lead the team in minutes once again, so his opportunities should remain ample.
Who will lead the team in assists?
By Gordon Gross
Nikola Jokic. No one else on the team should get the minutes or the amount of offensive control that Jokic will have, and he should lead the team in assists.
Who will lead the team in rebounds?
By Daniel Lewis
Nikola Jokic. The big man may not ever be a shot blocker, but he has the size and instincts to grab double-digit boards on a daily basis. One of the advantages of having Murray develop is that the Nuggets offense can feature Jokic rolling towards the rim. If a guard shoots while Jokic is settling in around the rim, he can catch misses and flip them back in the basket.
Who will be the team’s MVP?
By Kayla Osby
Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets have several players that you could probably make an argument for as an MVP, but when it comes down to it, this team is much better when Jokic is on the floor. The offense flows much smoother and opposing teams have a much harder time at defending them.
Who will be the team’s most improved player?
By Evan Fiala
It looks like Trey Lyles will be getting a lot of extra burn this year. He has looked very solid in preseason and word out of training camp was how well he played. I’m going with him as most improved as a sixth man off the bench.
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Who will have the highest single game scoring outburst? And how many points will it be?
By Jeremy Poley
Jamal Murray - 46 points.
Who is most likely to get traded during the season?
What will the Nuggets record be?
By Gordon Gross
50-32. I’m calling for them to break that 50-win plateau and get over this hump that has kept them out of the playoffs the past two years. This team should know who they are, and they should be able to rattle off wins against most teams with a high-octane offense centered around Jokic (no pun intended). Any further deviations from that plan, as have happened the last two seasons and cost Denver the playoffs, should have consequences beyond the players. Michael Malone is in the last year of his contract and knows what’s at stake. I expect him to ride Jokic over that 50-win line.
Who will they face in the playoffs and how will they do?
By Ryan Blackburn
Los Angeles Lakers - Lakers in 7.
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