Denver Nuggets: Predicting Three Potential All-Stars
Dec 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) moves to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Nuggets 93-87. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
All-Star weekend has not been kind for the Denver Nuggets in past years. Do any current Denver Nuggets players have a shot to represent the West this season?
The time is almost here for the Denver Nuggets, as I believe they are only a couple of steps away. They’re young, there are play-makers, and they have the potential to make a lot of noise. This being said, are there any players that have a chance at the All-Star team this season?
We believe they do, and it could be more than just these three. Players such as Wilson Chandler and Will Barton have shown their exquisite play throughout the start of the season has shown everyone around the league that they are legit. Along with several other rising stars in Denver, the future is certainly bright for the near and distant future.
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I know that some of these are a long shot, but anything and anybody can have a chance. So here it is, three potential Nuggets who could be representing the Western Conference.
Oct 3, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) takes a free throw against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Danilo Gallinari
This is a special pick for most, as Gallinari has been a pretty good player who is flying under the radar of the Western Conference. Even though the Nuggets have had talks of trading the Italian small forward, he has shown nothing but loyalty to the blue and gold. He was here for the good year after the iconic Carmelo Anthony trade, and he’s been here ever since.
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In fact, the Nuggets reportedly asked Danilo if he wanted to be traded and he refused. There isn’t a better definition of loyalty than what Gallo has shown to Denver.
What makes him a possibility for the All-Star game? Well for starters, Gallo has been considered the star of a team without a true star in the West, and has been considered one of the main leaders of the Nuggets. I know that he has had some health issues in the past, but I feel like this could be a year to look out for him. Don’t be surprised if he can find a way to play at least 65 games.
He’s big for a small forward, standing at 6-10 and weighing 225 lbs. This being said, it’s not his size that truly separates him from the rest of the pack. He is an absolute sharpshooter, who can get a big bucket for the Nuggets at any time they need him to. He’s hit game winners and circus shots, but last year was definitely a career year for him. He averaged just under 20 points and just over five rebounds per game, all while shooting around 41 percent from the floor.
I like the playing style and ability of Danilo Gallinari, and look for him to play big minutes for the Nuggets next season.
Oct 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) defends Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors won 129-128. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nikola Jokic
I’ll go ahead and say it. Nikola Jokic has the potential to become one of the best power forwards in the Western Conference. He’s got a great skill set, with a lot of variety which will make him truly unpredictable.
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He can make a three, and will if a team lets him, while having a great set of post moves. If there’s one player that I can’t wait to see in the future on this team, it’s Jokic.
Jokic had a great rookie season in 2016, as he finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting behind the winner, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis. That’s some good company, as both of those players are also becoming young superstars for their respective teams.
Jokic could be in consideration for the All-Star game because of what exactly he brings to the table. He’s a young guy for the Nuggets who can shoot and play a sweet post game. He’s a great presence on the basketball court, and a budding superstar in the West.
In 2015-2016, Jokic averaged only about 10 points and seven rebounds per game, but his impact went further than stats. He brought teams who had to change their game-plans to counter him, and showed flashes of what he could become. He also shot right at 51 percent from the field, which is pretty efficient, especially for a young player like him.
Keep an eye out for him, because “The Joker” is in a good position to turn some heads.
Oct 3, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball under pressure from Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) during the third quarter at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Emmanuel Mudiay
This is a player that has some HUGE shoes to fill if he wants to make the All-Star game. With the incredible amount of great guards in the league, this is a big step for Mudiay. This being said, anything is possible, and Mudiay could make a big step in the right direction this season.
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The opening half of his rookie season wasn’t great, but Mudiay made some improvements after the All-Star Break last season. He needs to become a better shooter, and make better decisions, but those are both fixable for a point guard. He’s an over-sized point guard, standing at 6-5, and he holds a lot of potential in his hands.
As I stated before, his rookie season wasn’t the greatest, but it wasn’t the worst either. He averaged about 13 points and 5.5 assists per game, but all while having over three turnovers per game and shooting 36 percent from the field. He has some steps to make, but he could make them, and if he could, he could represent the Western Conference.
The Nuggets have all but given the keys to the franchise to Mudiay, so it will be exciting to see what he can do in his sophomore season.
This will be an exciting young team for many years to come. With Mudiay leading the charge and Danilo Gallinari helping out, this Denver Nuggets team could quickly become a contender for the eighth playoff spot.