Since the firing of the Nuggets GM and head coach, some big positions needed to be filled in the Nuggets staff.
Ben Tenzer was promoted to GM and started making big moves right away. Tenzer started by trading fan favorite Michael “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” Porter Jr. and subsidizing his huge contract and signing four players with it. Nuggets fans and staff were concerned with MPJ’s past playoff performances and his current shoulder injury. MPJ was a liability on defense and was not hitting his 3-pointers. His previous contract was a bit premature and many fans claimed he was overpaid.
With his subsidized contract Cam Johnson was the direct replacement and he has been more consistent on the Brooklyn Nets with higher 3 point efficiency and he can actually play defense.
Key free agents like sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. who has had good efficiency, defensive center Jonas Valanciunas, a viable backup center is vital for Jokic to rest up and play good interior defense, and and huge fan favorite pickup Bruce Brown who was a key part to the Nuggets championship coming off the bench brings energy off the bench and high quality defense.
In previous years, fans were upset with Calvin Booth because he never made any moves in the off season. Now Tenzer has made big moves that covers the Nuggets flaws from last season.
A playable bench and defense brought the nuggets down in their second round exit. The starters were playing 40+ minutes a game for most of the season and fatigue set in against the Thunder.
On the defensive end the nuggets were struggling with perimeter defense as stars like Shai and Harden were scoring 30+ points a game. With the flaws covered the Nuggets are considered heavy championship contenders by many analysts and fans are looking forward to a deep playoff run.
