Paul Millsap has high aspirations for the Denver Nuggets, despite playing only half of his first season with the team in 2017-18. Defense has been the one constant that has plagued this team in recent years, something he's looking to end once and for good.
“I’ve always aimed high,” said Millsap, who's aiming to play a full season to help the team’s overall defensive prospects, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. “I’m looking to crack the top five in defense. I want to say it’s hard to do, but it’s really not. You get guys locked in on the same page and staying disciplined throughout the course of the game, you can be a top-five defensive team.”
The Nuggets have finished among the worst six teams in the league when it comes to defense since the 2014-15 season, ranking 26th, 24th, 29th and 26th — making Millsap's goal a rather tall one, considering how vast the jump from the bottom to the top could be.
“I believe, with the team that we have, we can scramble and get guys off the (3-point) line, rebound and run,” said Millsap. “Everything is based on practice. If we drill those habits and drill guys not stopping on one or two possessions, continue to make the necessary plays and get a rebound, you can drill that. It can be a habit you create going into the season.”
Denver will have to build the right habits first, but they do have some good starting pieces in Gary Harris and Millsap, who take pride on their defense — a trait that must rub off on the rest of the team before they can make the leap as one of the best defensive teams in the league.
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