Among the indisputable truths of Nikola Jokic’s ascendance to NBA MVP is that finding a suitable backup has become an annual chore.
Mason Plumlee left when he didn’t have a big enough role two seasons ago, then Isaiah Hartenstein failed to establish himself in Michael Malone’s rotation. That was before the Nuggets traded for JaVale McGee, who barely got off the bench. This past season, the Nuggets tried to hold water by starting the season with the JaMychal Green-Jeff Green combo. When Michael Porter Jr. injured his back nine games into the season, that plan blew up, forcing Jeff Green into the starting lineup.
Asked in the wake of Denver’s first-round playoff ouster what he proved in the months he was with the Nuggets, Cousins made a compelling case to stay. “I belong here,” he said. “I belong in this league. I was given the opportunity. I’m thankful for Mike Malone. A lot of doors closed for me. Mike looked out gave me an opportunity. I just tried to take the best advantage of it as I could. That’s what I did.”It’s also fair to consider whether Calvin Booth, who’d been under former president Tim Connelly when Cousins was brought in, would’ve made the same move.
If he doesn’t retain Cousins, Booth will need to address the glaring hole the Nuggets have in their second unit. No one will ever confuse Jokic for Dikembe Mutombo, but he’s not the traffic cone defender some made him out to be earlier in his career. As a team, the Nuggets allowed opponents to shoot overof five feet. That was the second-worst mark in the NBA. Part of that number was the result of dribble penetration. Another part of it was a lack of rim protection.
Though the Nuggets need to upgrade their perimeter defense, they also need to improve their interior resistance, too. With two first-round picks, they’ll have plenty of chances to do so. Here are their best options at center.A huge interior presence with a keen sense of timing, Williams looks like he can be a menace defensively at the next level.
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