{"id":132907,"date":"2025-04-07T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T11:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=132907"},"modified":"2025-04-06T23:16:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T03:16:21","slug":"nuggets-young-players-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/07\/nuggets-young-players-playoffs\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0It’s Time for the Nuggets’ Young Players to Step Up in the Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Denver Nuggets<\/a> have had a rollercoaster season, marked by early struggles, midseason dominance, and a late slump heading into the playoffs. However, if any franchise understands that success is defined by how a season ends rather than how it begins, it\u2019s the Nuggets. The 2023 championship run was built on patience, particularly during the two-year wait for Jamal Murray\u2019s<\/a> return after his torn ACL injury. That year also saw the Nuggets falter toward the end of the regular season, only to lock in when it mattered most, culminating in one of the most dominant postseason runs in NBA history.<\/p>\n

This year presents new challenges. Constant injuries to key players like Murray and Aaron Gordon<\/a> have forced Nikola Joki\u0107<\/a> to shoulder an even heavier offensive burden than in previous seasons. Additionally, the team has placed greater responsibility on young, unproven players such as Christian Braun<\/a>, Peyton Watson<\/a>, and Julian Strawther<\/a>\u2014decisions that have led to mixed results. The departures of veteran contributors like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/a>, Bruce Brown<\/a>, and Jeff Green<\/a> have left gaps in the rotation while integrating Russell Westbrook<\/a> into the system remains a work in progress. Combined with Denver’s recent slide in the standings, the road back to the Finals appears far more daunting, with the likelihood of a tough first-round matchup. Yet, this path may ultimately prove beneficial. If Denver hopes to win another title, their young players must seize the moment.<\/p>\n

It’s Time for the Nuggets’ Young Players to Step Up in the Playoffs<\/h2>\n

Christian Braun: Ready for the Spotlight?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Braun represents one of the Nuggets\u2019 biggest bets. The organization not only expected him to replace KCP but to be an upgrade\u2014something that will only happen if he rediscovers the defensive excellence he showed in his bench role last year.<\/p>\n

Physically, Braun has clear advantages over his predecessor. His superior size, strength, and leaping ability allow him to potentially be a more effective perimeter defender, especially against the elite wings in the Western Conference. Last year\u2019s playoff series<\/a> against Anthony Edwards<\/a> showcased how Braun\u2019s physicality bothered the Timberwolves star in ways KCP could not.<\/p>\n

Offensively, Braun has made strides, particularly as a three-point shooter and as a devastating force in transition, allowing him to stay on the floor without any issues. His chemistry with Joki\u0107 has also been a bright spot, as he consistently capitalizes on the reigning MVP\u2019s elite passing in transition and cutting opportunities.<\/p>\n

Yet, his increased offensive role has come at a cost. The added workload has diminished his defensive energy, making him less of a lockdown presence than before. If the Nuggets are to make a deep run, Braun must balance both responsibilities and step up as the elite perimeter defender Denver needs.<\/p>\n

Peyton Watson: Raw Potential That Must Be Refined<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Watson remains a wildcard in Denver\u2019s rotation<\/a>. His athleticism is unmatched on the roster, which is saying a lot considering the team includes Aaron Gordon\u2014 a previous dunk contest winner in the hearts of many. Watson\u2019s length and leaping ability have long had GM Calvin Booth raving, leading to his now infamous claim to Kevin O’Connor<\/a> of The Ringer<\/em> (at the time), that Watson was bigger, longer, more athletic, a better defender, and a better passer than the departing Bruce Brown. While the last part of that statement remains debatable, the rest has largely held true\u2014at least in theory. Watson possesses all the tools to be a game-changing defender. The problem? Physical gifts alone aren\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n

Denver\u2019s championship roster didn\u2019t just rely on elite athletes; it thrived on players who understood the nuances of the game. The loss of Bruce Brown is a prime example\u2014his ability to operate as a secondary ball-handler, his lethal floater, and his versatility to defend multiple positions cannot be replaced by sheer athleticism alone. Watson will never be able to replicate Brown\u2019s skill set, but he can still carve out an essential role.<\/p>\n

Defensively, Watson has shown flashes of brilliance. His length allows him to contest shots at the rim while also bothering perimeter scorers. When locked in, he looks like one of the best defensive players in the league. However, his inconsistency and lack of defensive IQ have made his actual effectiveness on that end of the floor a mixed bag. Offensively, his struggles are even more apparent. His shooting remains unreliable, and outside of lob finishes, he lacks a go-to scoring move.<\/p>\n

Julian Strawther: The X-Factor Off the Bench<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Of the Nuggets\u2019 young players, Strawther may be the least essential at the moment, given that Westbrook can serve as the backup guard. However, his skill set as a floor spacer and tough shot-maker could prove invaluable, particularly if Westbrook\u2019s lack of shooting creates spacing issues and makes him unplayable in certain series.<\/p>\n

While not known for his defense, Strawther has shown a willingness to compete on that end of the floor. However, his slight frame makes him an easy target for stronger players. Additionally, his shooting has been inconsistent, which limits his ability to solidify a regular rotation spot. That said, in certain lineups\u2014especially those featuring Westbrook\u2014his presence as a floor-spacer could be crucial. Depending on matchups, he could emerge as the Nuggets\u2019 fourth or even third guard in some playoff series.<\/p>\n

The Last Word\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Denver\u2019s front office took a significant risk by parting ways with key veterans like Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, and KCP over the last two summers. If the team falls short of another title, some criticism will inevitably fall on Calvin Booth\u2019s decisions. However, the young players the Nuggets have invested in possess the talent to develop into long-term solutions. Ultimately, it\u2019s up to them to prove it\u2014starting in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo credit: \u00a9 Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Denver Nuggets have had a rollercoaster season, marked by early struggles, midseason dominance, and a late slump heading into the playoffs. However, if any franchise understands that success is defined by how a season ends rather than how it begins, it\u2019s the Nuggets. The 2023 championship run was built on patience, particularly during the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5490,"featured_media":133008,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,20,62],"tags":[4524,4849,48957],"class_list":["post-132907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nuggets","category-nba","tag-christian-braun","tag-julian-strawther","tag-peyton-watson"],"modified_by":"Eamon Cassels, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5490"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=132907"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132907\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":133012,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132907\/revisions\/133012"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/133008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=132907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=132907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=132907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}