December 17th 2024.
During this preseason, Julian Strawther put on an impressive performance, leading the NBA in total scoring. This achievement puts him in the company of some noteworthy names, including Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Devin Booker. It's worth noting that preseason games are usually a chance for bench players and newer draft picks to shine, as starters are given limited minutes to avoid injuries. Despite this, Strawther's success is still significant, especially when considering the impressive list of players he joined.
In addition to his preseason success, Strawther has also been off to a strong start in the regular season. His efficient shooting, including a 10% increase in 3-point shooting from his rookie season, has given a glimpse of his potential with the Denver Nuggets. However, the team will need to capitalize on his improvement more consistently moving forward.
Strawther's impact on the team's scoring has been inconsistent, largely due to the fluctuation of his involvement in the offense from game to game. Despite this, he has managed to score double-digit points in three consecutive games, which is a career-best for him. Nuggets coach Michael Malone sees great potential in Strawther and hopes to see this trend continue. However, in seven of the previous eight games, Strawther was held to single-digit points, so there is room for improvement.
Malone believes that Strawther's catch-and-shoot ability, particularly from the 3-point line, could be a valuable asset for the team. He even suggests that the team needs to shoot more 3-pointers, with players like Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Nikola Jokic having the potential to do so. Malone also wants to see Strawther take on a larger role in this aspect of the game, with the goal of him attempting six or more 3-pointers per game.
This would require a considerable change in Strawther's playing style, as he has only attempted six or fewer field goals in 13 of the Nuggets' first 23 games. However, his efficiency has remained consistent in the six games where he has attempted nine or more shots. Strawther has been shooting 41.2% from three in these games, showing his ability to mix up his shots and attack the basket.
Porter Jr. also sees Strawther's potential as a scorer off the bench and believes that the team can do more to get him going. As one of the team's only volume 3-point shooters, Strawther's offensive contribution is crucial, and Porter Jr. feels that the team and coaches need to do a better job of utilizing his skills.
However, some of the responsibility also falls on Strawther himself. He needs to improve his defense, as opponents have been targeting him and causing the Nuggets to have a poor defensive rating when he is on the floor. Malone has been tough on Strawther in this aspect, but he sees potential for improvement in his one-on-one defense, which will greatly benefit the team.
In summary, Strawther has shown great potential as a scorer for the Denver Nuggets. His impressive preseason and efficient shooting in the regular season have given a glimpse of what he can bring to the team. However, both Strawther and the team will need to make changes and improvements to fully utilize his skills and make him a consistent contributor on the court.
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