Denver Post beat writer Christopher Dempsey has sifted through his weekly Nuggets mailbag to answer your questions about the team, the league and more. Got a question for him? .
After having played for and coached with Phil Jackson for a number years, why has Brian Shaw not tried to install the triangle offense with the Nuggets?
—Eric, Aurora
Eric: The Nuggets do run triangle actions — meaning, specific movements that are found within triangle schemes — but, no, they are not running a full-blown triangle offense every time down court like, say, the Knicks. And it really wouldn’t be the best way to take full advantage of the personnel on this roster. Given the versatility of their athletes, the Nuggets run all kinds of different plays with the foundation that they want to get out and run and keep the pace high.
Is there any concern with in the Nuggets’ front office about an impending spike in the salary cap in 2017 because of the new TV deals? If the cap were to rise to, say, $100 million, are they at all nervous about spending all that, and what other costs may go up along with salaries as a result?
—Katie, Salt Lake City
Katie: First off, even if the cap spiked with the revenue from the coming new TV deal, it would not be $100 million by 2017. I think we’re talking more in the $85-90 million range for that particular year. But still, a lot. No, there isn’t concern — it simply allows them, like every other team, to be able to throw large sums of cash at players they deem worth it. And even though a cap would possibly be that high, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Nuggets will just freely spend all the way up to it, so there are internal financial conversations to be had about that as well. But overall, no, there would be no concern. More money to spend is a good thing to throw at free agents to entice them to play for the team.
So Denver reportedly voted in favor of the draft lottery reform, while the bigger markets of Chicago and Washington voted against it? What gives?
—Nick, Santa Clara, Calif.
Nick: I think this goes to show not to always believe the hype. Fans — and most members of the media — are up in arms about tanking much more than the teams in the NBA are. I found it interesting that many of the teams who have benefited from getting a star player in the draft were the ones that voted against reform. You mentioned Chicago (Derrick Rose) and Washington (John Wall, Bradley Beal) in the question. There is no doubt the Nuggets are one of the loudest voices against tanking, but there is also no doubt that getting bad and winning the lottery is the best way for teams not in L.A. or New York or Chicago, to get better. No one, even those for reform, disputes that. The question is: How can the NBA punish those who tank, but still make sure its worst teams are given the best picks? I don’t know if it’s entirely possible.
Ty Lawson had said he thinks he’s in the league. Where would you rank him?
—Dave, Houston
Dave: I’ve personally never heard Ty say he’s one of the top two point guards in the league. I have heard him say feels he’s an elite point guard. And I consider that to be in the top 5-10 guards in the league. And I think that’s fair. Now, he’ll have to be the unquestioned force behind a successful Nuggets team to be viewed that way nationally. And there’s this: Even if someone said Lawson was, say, the 13th best point guard in the league, that’s not the slight it appears to be. There are so many good point guards in the NBA, it’s the deepest position in the league, if a player is one of the top 15, he’s an extremely good player.
Broncos tight Julius Thomas says he watches film every week of the other great TEs in the league — Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Gates, you name it. Do the Nuggets players do the same?
—Nate, Apex, N.C.
Nate: It happens, yes. You see more of that happening in the offseason, though. There’s not nearly enough time for NBA players to do that to the same degree as a football player, who plays one game a week. Between travel and four games a week and practices and team film study every week is filled to the brim for these players.
Rookie Jusuf Nurkic exceeded my expectations of him in just the preseason. But he’s clearly very raw. What is Shaw and the other coaches working with to improve in his game the most?
—Allison, Lander, Wyo.
Allison: Jusuf just needs to play basketball. It is as simple as that. He’s only played organized basketball for about five years now and has a lot to learn about everything that happens on the court. But he’s big and strong and tough and aggressive, has quick hands on defense and is a good passer. He’s got a lot going for him already. Offensively, he’s a work in progress, but he’s light years better now than when he started. Nurkic has been a big surprise, for sure. Coaches continue to work with him in all areas — footwork in the post, his offense, defending without fouling — everything. His progress will be fun to watch this season.
Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@denverpost.com or at twitter.com/dempseypost
