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The 2020-21 NBA season was filled with mixed feelings for the Denver Nuggets, as the team placed third in the Western Conference, and the postseason proved disappointing as the Nuggets suffered multiple injuries and ended up being swept in the semifinals by the Western Conference champions, the Phoenix Suns.
The Denver Nuggets and their backdrop of stars would need to step up if they were to meet lofty heights. Like the team, many of its star players are also at defining points in their careers. Much is expected of the likes of Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr., and after making key signings and contract negotiations this offseason, the Nuggets should be raring to go.
Top Denver Nuggets shooters going into the new season
The Denver Nuggets ranked an overall 12th in the league for points made, posting 8,124 points, a total they hope to improve on going into this season. However, one area where the Nuggets won’t need much fine-tuning is their shooting. The Nuggets possess some of the best shooters in the NBA on their roster, and it comes as no surprise that their shooting stats show just that.
They ranked fourth in the league for field goals, attempted 6,422 shots over the season, showing their clinical edge over the year as they recorded the fourth-best field goal percentage in the league, with 48.5%.
However, they ranked averagely in the league for amounts of three points made, needing significant improvement on that front. It cannot be argued that the Nuggets don’t pose enough offensive power.
With the NBA season now upon us, let’s take a look at the best shooters on the Denver Nuggets roster.
#5 Aaron Gordon
The mid-season signings should prove very handy for the Denver Nuggets going into the new season. Aaron Gordon, signed to help cope with the loss of Jamal Murray, will be hoping to make use of the opportunity to stake his need for a constant starting position, even after Murray returns from injury sometime in the season.
After an average postseason that saw him underperform, posting a 0.9 rating for three points made per game. The Nuggets' power forward will be hoping to live up to his team’s high expectations. He produced 10.2 points per match in the regular season for the Nuggets, scoring over 103 field goals for the side. His shooting stats should probably increase magnificently this season, especially after finally having a full preseason with the team under his belt.
#4 Will Barton
Since being traded and resigned by the Denver Nuggets in 2015, Will Barton has gone on to establish himself as a core member of the roster. The NBA veteran is entering his 11th NBA season but has definitely seen some of his best basketball games since arriving in Denver.
The shooting guard maintained his elite stand on the Nuggets roster, scoring 711 points for the team, the fourth-highest amongst his teammates. He averaged 12.7 points per game, scoring 98 three-pointers throughout the season, a figure that puts him ahead of stars like Nikola Jokic.
He played 56 games over the season, scoring 259 field goals in the process.
#3 Nikola Jokic
After being isolated and outplayed by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the playoffs last season, no player would be pushing harder for a statement season from the Denver Nuggets and himself, more than star player Nikola Jokic. The center turned in classic performances last season, game after game, stepping up the brilliant heights he had achieved the season before, roping in 29 points in the Nuggets' opening season loss to the Sacramento Kings.
The Joker, who ended his brilliant season with an NBA MVP award, scored an outstanding 1, 818 points in the league, placing first for the Denver Nuggets and third overall in the league. He also put in 92 three-pointers over 72 matches, a tally that places him fourth on the Nuggets roster. He made the highest field goals amongst his teammates, scoring an incredible 732 field goals, with a field goal accuracy of 56.6%.
He averaged an excellent 26.4 points per game in the regular season and took that amount to another level in the postseason, where he averaged 29.8 points per game. The Denver Nuggets will be hoping that the Serbian continues his good form, as they will need every bit of it if they are to stand a chance in challenging for the title.
#2 Jamal Murray
The Denver Nuggets point guard was one of the most important players for the franchise the previous season, before an uneventful season-ending injury, and his team will definitely miss his offensive contribution, with the player not expected to return until well into the season.
The team has countered his loss by making several signings, with tactical tweaks made to the roster in a bid to statistically remedy the loss of an important player. However, there has been no indication that any of those signings would be able to replicate Jamal Murray’s influence for the Nuggets.
He ranked third for points scored, posting an impressive 1,018 points in just 48 appearances, leaving him behind only Jokic and Porter Jr., despite playing lesser games. His 21.2 points per game was the team's second-highest, and he also placed second for the most three-pointers made by a Denver Nuggets player, scoring 129 threes. His 378 field goals were a modest return for the sharpshooter, posting a 47.7% field goal.
#1 Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. is the crown jewel of the Denver Nuggets, along with Jokic. Coach Michael Malone and Nuggets supporters will be hoping that their star talent can continue his journey towards NBA greatness this season, barring injury issues and other unfortunate stances.
The small forward is fresh from signing a multi-million contract in the offseason and will be looking to continue his breakout season form in the upcoming year. He is already widely known to be the best three-point shooter on the Denver Nuggets roster, posting a team’s highest 170 three-pointers. He drained 443 field goals, second only to the Joker.
His field goal percentage also stands at an impressive 58.2% in 58 matches played. The second highest on the team roster.
In truth, he should finally kick on, after now playing his way to a new contract last season. You can only sense that the best is yet to come from a generational talent.
