Rookie forward Trevon Brazile made a compelling case for the role of the regular season rotation during the preseason, Nuggets an insider Chris Dempsey writes on his blog Demps and Circumstance.
In addition to his larger size and ability to jump forward, Brazile is a superior finisher at the basket and can stretch the floor well beyond the arc. The former Arkansas standout also has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and can block and alter shots in the defensive center, an element the Nuggets have lacked for some time.
Another attractive aspect of Brazil’s game is that it doesn’t need the plays it needs to succeed, Dempsey notes. The 23-year-old averaged 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 19.8 minutes per game in five preseason games. The Brazilian converted 79.2% of his field goal attempts, including 66.7% from long range in a small sample.
Here’s more on the Nuggets:
- Don’t read too much into DeMar DeRozanSlow start during preseason, says Dempsey another story. The six-time All-Star is in his first season with the Nuggets, and the two sides are still adjusting to each other. According to Dempsey, the team needs to find ways to get DeRozan to take more shots near the basket instead of keeping him on the perimeter, where he’s not known for his looks and his teammates have to move away from the ball when the 37-year-old forward works alone.
- In an interview with Mark Medina of Fadeaway Worldveteran point guard Tyus Jones discusses being traded multiple times last season and eventually signing with the Nuggets, acclimating in Denver, what he thinks Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokicand much more. Jones is optimistic that the Nuggets second team will create problems for opposing teams. “I think we can be dynamic. I think we can bring different perspectives. DeMar is obviously a Hall of Fame player and scorer. So he will be our coordinator with our second unit” Jones said. “We have talented guys who can play it (Marvin) Bagley, Spencer Jones and Julian (Strother). We also have a few newcomers ready to contribute. We can look at teams differently. But I think as a unit we’ll be ready to contribute and ready to push every day. We strive to do our job and our role.”
- Head coach David Adelman recently discussed the offense and how the team can improve last season’s top-rated unit (Link to video on Twitter Law Murray of The Athletic).
- In case you missed it, Strother’s fourth year wing at least six weeks after spraining his left knee.
