NBA - Main

As a Nuggets fan I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, the Nuggets started slow last year due to Jamal/MPJ knocking off the rust and integrating new players into the team in Bruce Brown and Christian Braun [and honestly Jamal and MPJ were basically new players too - takes time to get the timing, rhythm, and chemistry back with Jok and AG]. So of course it will take time for Dame and Giannis to find their chemistry, and for Dame to figure it out with Brook and everyone else as well.

But at the same time there are very real defensive personnel issues. Like, Denver's defense was bad for the first 6 weeks last season because they were on the road for 13 of the first 19 games, AND were trying to integrate new dudes/shake off rust for two key contributors. No one was up to speed. Everyone was trying to figure out the communication on the road. But Jamal Murray before tearing his acl had become a good defender. MPJ before tweaking his back had become a good defender. Aaron Gordon has always been a good defender and has been great in Denver. KCP has always been a very good defender. Bruce Brown - same. Christian Braun - same. The defensive players and architecture was sound, they just needed time for the rotation players to come together. The Bucks, in contrast? Of course they have Brook and Giannis. That doesnt hurt. But Brook is very clearly aging, as is Jae Crowder for that matter, as is Khris Middleton. They're also relying on dudes at the POA who have never been good defenders in Dame, Malik Beasley, and Cam Payne. That architecture isnt nearly as sound as what Denver was trying to integrate last year. Their defense really might not ever be good this year.