When Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone took the rostrum instantly following his staff’s Recreation 7 exit from the Western Convention semifinals, he sighted fatigue and excessive utilization of his star gamers as elements for his staff making an early exit from the playoffs.
“Our guys seemed lifeless drained,” Malone mentioned. “They did. Did I run our gamers into the bottom? I’m positive that’s undoubtedly a part of it. That’s the choice we made and we’ll dwell with it.” For an NBA staff, with the league’s MVP three out of the final 4 seasons, success and successful usually are not a given.
Statistically talking, Denver’s output didn’t drop off an excessive amount of between 2022-23 and final season. In reality, they improved to 57 wins in a troublesome Western Convention final season in comparison with a 53-win season en path to the title. When it comes to league-wide web rankings, Denver additionally improved in factors, assists, FG% and 3P%. Nonetheless, the utilization and miles on the physique of superstars Nikola Jokic elevated to a career-high 34.6 mpg up from the prior seasons’ 33.7 mpg.
The Nuggets roster additionally change within the intervening season between title runs and one might argue that the depth dropped off dramatically as key bench veteran Jeff Inexperienced departed in free company adopted shortly after by Bruce Brown Jr. The title aspirations of Denver’s entrance workplace has come into query but once more as one other title-winning member, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, made an exit for more cash in Orlando.
All of the departures have left a expertise vacuum for the Nuggets to deal with. In consequence, Denver have needed to depend on the expansion of their draft picks like Christian Braun and Julian Strawther. Each are proficient younger gamers, however the remaining supporting solid has a number of query marks looming over it.
With Denver’s books trying awfully tight after locking down three max contracts, the entrance workplace added a pair of veterans on multi-year offers in Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric, and observers have questioned their match. One might view this as a final ditch transfer for Denver to plug gaps and positions within the roster. Have been Mike Malone’s palms considerably tied final season? Did he overuse his gamers? Positive, however trying on the make-up of the bench and the reliability of what lies behind his stars, he has no actual alternative.
Quick ahead to October 2024 and the Celtics’ preparation for an additional championship run is effectively underway. For Boston, the theme is one in every of continuity. All the important thing gamers are again and most at the moment are signed long-term.
Nonetheless, there are already some obstacles that they have to navigate. Since Kristaps Porzingis can be out for the higher a part of the season, it will likely be vital to control Al Horford’s enjoying standing as a key story line to watch. Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Jrue Vacation all had a jam-packed summer season with Staff USA’s gold medal-winning Males’s Olympic staff.
Preserving the squad’s power for the lengthy common season grind and never overtaxing key gamers early ought to be a precedence after a shortened summer season break, a coaching camp that began per week early that features abroad journey to play the Nuggets in two preseason video games on October 4 and 6 in Abu Dhabi.
In complete, it will likely be a 13,300-mile spherical journey earlier than the repeatedly scheduled home preseason choices which begin Saturday, October eleventh. These two exhibition video games in opposition to Denver are meaningless within the grand scheme of the season correct. Nonetheless, for Boston, these early season video games will provide a glimpse into the roles and duties of the deeper supporting solid because the top-8 is just about set in stone.
Evaluate Denver’s plight with what Brad Stevens has been capable of do and it truly is evening and day. With possession’s blessing, Stevens has been targeted on re-signing all the important thing items and simply subtly massaging issues across the edges. The Celtics deep roster features a bevy of gamers primed to develop inside the system together with a second yr of progress for Jaden Springer, a sophomore-ready Jordan Walsh, and an intriguing rookie with an NBA prepared 3-point shot in Baylor Scheierman.
The frontcourt although is the place the eager observers ought to look to as we start this quest for back-to-back banners. Al Horford has at all times been extraordinarily vital to the success of this staff and this season, the 38-year-old Dominican native is coming into his 18th NBA season. Conserving him contemporary for Could and June 2025 ought to be a staff directive.
Brad Stevens’ potential to shore up the entrance line early in the summertime, has meant Joe Mazzulla can make the most of a number of bigs evening in and evening out, a luxurious not afforded to Denver and it’s title aspirations final season.
Celtics followers can anticipate to see various Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Neemis Queta within the early begin of ‘24-’25. All three huge males provide a wide range of totally different traits, strengths and weaknesses. Tillman has the footwork to protect on switching ball handlers however not the elite size, Queta provides the C’s an extended energetic power huge man nevertheless continues to be honing a whole recreation, while Kornet may give Boston the best learn play and occasional lob risk, however lacks the heft and muscle. All three ought to, and can be referred to as upon far more than in earlier seasons, once more, this versatility behind the star energy, is a luxurious that Denver sorely lacked within the playoffs final Could.
As coach Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens preach, it’s vital to remain humble, keep ready, to remain within the second, be self-aware, keep open-minded with a progress mindset to continue learning. A lot can be written about this Boston Celtics staff and its fortunes for 2024-25, however there’s a thread that binds each groups for this two-game Abu Dhabi exhibition sequence. Will probably be intriguing to watch what classes Denver’s technique, decisions, and arduous journey to turning into back-to-back champions can impart to the Celtics.
