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Nuggets: Is Denver’s Young Core As Good As Minnesota’s?

By Kyle Standfield

Feb 15, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Juancho Hernangomez (right) and forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Timberwolves won 112-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Juancho Hernangomez (right) and forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Timberwolves won 112-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball up court in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball up court in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Both squads have exceptional young big men in Nikola Jokic of Denver and Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota. Both players are true franchise cornerstones and will undoubtedly be some of the best players in the league over the next decade.

While they both feature unbelievable skill sets, they differ in a few ways. Jokic is a much better play maker than Towns and as such, is able to have the offense run through him a lot more. Towns on the other hand, is by far the superior defender and is a much more explosive athlete. Each player is good on the boards and has some range outside to the three-point line. Nikola Jokic is an improving scorer while Towns has never really lacked in that regard. Basically, these two superstars cancel each other out when accessing the two teams young rosters.

Where things start to get interesting is with the most recent draft. The Timberwolves had the fifth overall pick, and elected to take Kris Dunn out of Providence. Two selections later, Denver picked Jamal Murray from Kentucky. While Dunn has struggled to find himself at the pro level, Murray has shined as the Nuggets’ back up point guard.

Dunn is averaging 3.6 points, 2.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds on almost 37 percent shooting this year. In comparison, Murray is posting 9.4 points, 1.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game on 40 percent shooting. Murray scored in double digits in eight of his last nine games as his role on the Nuggets increases while Dunn has failed to score 10 or more points since January 22. To be fair though, Dunn has never been considered a scorer, rather a defensive stud and solid play maker. However, he has struggled in those areas at times this season and is three-year the elder of Murray.

Looking at the wings, Minnesota has the best scorer in Andrew Wiggins. He is averaging 22.9 points per game this season on 43.7 percent shooting to go along with 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Denver don’t have a reply when it comes to a pure scoring, but Gary Harris is able to match Wiggins from an efficiency stand point. Wiggins shoots 35 percent from down town and has a true shooting percentage of 53 percent. Harris connects on 42 percent of his shots from distance and features a true shooting percentage of 60 percent. So while Wiggins is the better volume scorer, Harris has him beat for efficiency and also on the defensive side of the ball.

Both teams have promising young forwards in Gorgui Dieng and Juancho Hernangomez. While they both play some power forward, they each feature a completely different skill set. Dieng is a force in the paint, with the ability to block shots and operate in the post a little bit. Hernangomez is a stretch four, able to shoot with accuracy from distance and put the ball on the floor. Dieng is good at what he does, averaging 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds 1.1 blocks per game while shooting almost 50 percent from the field. Juancho is also good at his style, shooting a blistering 46 percent from long-range and averaging 4.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in limited minutes. As a starter however, Hernangomez averages 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. So while each player is vastly different, they both provide exactly what they need to for their respective teams.

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Before going down with a knee injury, Minnesota’s Zach LaVine was having a breakthrough season. His 18.9 points and 3.4 rebounds were both career-highs and LaVine was becoming known for more than just his dunking. He was shooting the ball at a good clip, connecting on 45 percent of his shots overall and 38 percent from three.

For both teams, the future essentially boils down to this:

Minnesota: Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Gorgui Dieng, Kris Dunn.

Denver: Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Juancho Hernangomez, Emmanuel Mudiay.

The Wolves have the bigger name players, and yes, perhaps the better individual talent. But the Nuggets have something very special  developing, too.

Next: Broncos: Denver Need Tony Romo

It’s hard to tell which team has the brighter future right now. But, one thing that’s clear, is that both teams have great futures to look forward too.

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