Despite their 5-4 record, the Nuggets are off to an encouraging start

For the past two seasons – both, of course, playoff years for the Nuggets – perhaps the biggest criticism of the team was its lack of defense. Clearly one of the best offensive teams in the NBA for several years, the defense didn’t always hold up its end.

But a funny thing has happened. At least through the first nine games of this season.

The Denver Nuggets have become a very good defensive team. In fact, they are one of the very best in the NBA!

Most NBA minds think the best indication of how good an NBA team is defensively is a stat called Defensive Efficiency. It is basically points allowed per possession. Well, through the first nine games, the Nuggets are third in the NBA in this critical category. Until the second of the back-to-back games against Memphis, the Nuggets were sitting as the second-best team in that category. Well done, Nuggets!

Now, will the team stay with that defensive number throughout the season? Probably not. The guess is they will fall off some. But the fact that they are even in the top half of the league in that department, after nine games, is truly a great sign for this team. They will become a better team by becoming a better defensive team. Especially come playoff time.

Michael Malone has been preaching defense for years with this team. Perhaps now it is taking him seriously.

It’s pretty interesting that this team is better on the defensive end so far this season than they are on the offensive end. It’s been just the opposite for so long. But it’s a pretty good bet they will get back to their old ways offensively, especially when Jamal Murray comes back.

This team’s start to the season is probably not the start that most people thought it would be or most Nuggets fans hoped it would be. But to me, it’s a very encouraging start. Because of the commitment to defense.

Now, let’s just make a few more shots and everything will be fine!