David Adelman may have found the rotation formula the Nuggets needed.
With Denver banged up early and missing Spencer Jones, Julian Strawther, Alpha Diallo, and starter Cameron Johnson, Adelman had to shuffle pieces around again for the Nuggets’ 104-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. This time, the move that mattered most was putting rookie second-round pick Trevon Brazile into the starting five for his first career start. It paid off immediately.
Denver jumped to a 19-point lead after the first quarter and never gave it back.
The look was not new to the Nuggets, either. It was the same group that helped fuel their fourth-quarter surge in the 23-point comeback against New Orleans two games earlier. Brazile’s rebounding and defense were a big part of that rally, and this time Adelman went back to it instead of leaving it on the shelf against the Golden State Warriors.
Brazile’s value shows up in the little things that swing a game. His length gives Denver more size in the passing lanes, and when he gets caught out of position - which is part of being a rookie - his athleticism lets him recover.
He was active around Nikola Jokic in the paint and also had the mobility to help Christian Braun and Jamal Murray on the perimeter. The result: a first quarter in which the Nuggets posted a defensive rating of just 72 and held the Pelicans to 18 points.
Adelman also found something useful with his second unit by pairing Marvin Bagley III with Jokic. That combination had not been fully explored before, but it worked here.
Bagley’s athleticism at the four stood out, and he even turned a rebound into a coast-to-coast transition layup. Former backup center Jonas Valanciunas would have never done that.
Bagley finished with nearly 19 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, plus a steal and a block.
DeMar DeRozan also came off the bench and played 25 minutes. After a quiet first half, he did more of the playmaking late, finishing with 5 assists after handing out 4 of them over the final two quarters.
Until Jones, Johnson, Diallo, and Strawther are back, Adelman would be wise to keep the rotation tight. And even once the roster gets healthier, Brazile has already done enough to earn a longer look. He’s been the biggest positive for Denver to start the year.
In Other News...
Aaron Gordon Has Become A Real Nuggets Concern
Aaron Gordons importance to Denver has only grown as the Nuggets have tried to steady themselves through a rough stretch, and that is exactly why the current discussion around him has gotten louder. Bill Simmons raised the topic on his podcast, framing the Nuggets as a team that may be close to a panic point if Gordon is no longer able to provide the level of two-way impact they have come to expect from him alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
The concern is not just about one quiet night or a temporary dip. Gordon has been dealing with recurring soft tissue leg issues, and for a player whose value comes from constant movement, physical defense and timely offense, that is a real worry for Denver. If he cannot stay on the floor and sustain the same kind of production, the Nuggets suddenly have a much thinner margin for error than they would like at this stage. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets May Have Found The Defensive Answer Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Nuggets have already seen two very different versions of their defense against the Pelicans this season, and the latest meeting offered a much better sign for a team still trying to find reliable consistency on that end. Head coach David Adelman liked the way Denver moved from spot to spot, closed possessions with more urgency and got meaningful minutes from rookies Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins in a win that looked far more connected than their first look at New Orleans.
For Denver, the bigger question is whether this was a one-night spike or the start of something sturdier. Adelman has been looking for sharper rotation work and more force in the way his group applies pressure, and the Nuggets will need those habits to stick if they want to turn occasional defensive flashes into something they can trust as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Young Core Is Already Forcing A Rotation Debate
With the Nuggets sitting at 2-2 after a win over New Orleans and losses to Oklahoma City and Golden State, the early-season conversation has already turned to how much of the young core can crack through a crowded rotation. Rookie Trevon Brazile has been one of the more encouraging developments, stepping in for Spencer Jones and giving Denver useful frontcourt minutes with 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while the team tries to sort out its best combinations.
DaRon Holmes has had a far quieter start, and that only adds to the uncertainty around how Michael Malone will balance development with winning now. Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon have each flashed the kind of impact Denver needs, but with the schedule still in its opening stretch, the Nuggets already have more young talent than obvious playing time, and the next few games should start to clarify who sticks in the mix. [Read more 🡒]