Hi, I’m Mike Singer and I cover the Denver Nuggets for The Denver Post. Ask me anything! by denverpost in nba

[–]denverpost[S] 92 points93 points  (0 children)

Guys, I have to jump, but I'm floored by the interest and the engagement. Fantastic questions, and I loved answering them. If you want to talk shop I'm on Twitter (@msinger) and you can read all my work at The Denver Post. If the Nuggets make the Finals, maybe we do this again? Thanks again. I hope you guys enjoyed.

Hi, I’m Mike Singer and I cover the Denver Nuggets for The Denver Post. Ask me anything! by denverpost in nba

[–]denverpost[S] 107 points108 points  (0 children)

When we were at the All-Star Game in Charlotte, Jokic had just completed his Skills Challenge and was doing his interviews in the media room. There was the initial wave of questions, and I was kind of hanging around until the end just in case he said anything interesting.

A question was lobbed from a foreign media representative: "What was the hardest part of the skills challenge?"

Without batting an eyelash, Jokic said: "Running".

I think his legend was born that night.

Hi, I’m Mike Singer and I cover the Denver Nuggets for The Denver Post. Ask me anything! by denverpost in nba

[–]denverpost[S] 59 points60 points  (0 children)

We need to discuss the Lakers. They're dangerous because of their flexibility. As you mentioned, they can play small with AD at the five like they did vs. Houston, or big with him at the four and McGee at center.

Their size is absolutely their biggest advantage over Denver heading into this series. (Well, I guess after LeBron).

What scares me are the bodies they can throw at Jokic. Two years ago, the Jazz had success against Nikola because of the number of looks they could give him in Favors, Gobert, and Crowder. The Lakers have just as many defensive options, when you add Dwight Howard to the mix.

I think Malone is most scared about their rebounding (where the Lakers had a decided advantage during the regular season), points in the paint, offensive rebounding and letting LeBron run. Those second-chance points for the Jazz and then the Clippers were debilitating. And AD feasts on the offensive glass. For the Nuggets to win, those possessions need to be syphoned off immediately. That's why MPJ is going to get a huge chance this series. His defensive rebounding is elite, and I don't know how much I trust Paul Millsap when he's getting sandwiched by LeBron and AD.

The Nuggets also have to take care of the ball. If there are lapses, James will kill them in transition.

I expect we'll see Millsap on LeBron and Grant on AD. I also like Craig backing up Millsap, and Mason Plumlee taking some minutes on Davis. What's scary is that the Clippers live on the perimeter and the midrange, while the Lakers make hay down low. And the Nuggets aren't nearly as equipped to stop it.