DENVER — Nobody shot fewer 3-pointers than the Denver Nuggets during the 2024-25 season, but it’s not just about taking more deep-range attempts — it’s one specific part of the equation that new head coach David Adelman wants to emphasize.
Introduced as the franchise’s 23rd full-time bench boss on Wednesday, Adelman outlined some things he would like to see the Nuggets work on this summer and early in the season, so that come the next time he’s holding the clipboard in the playoffs, it’s more successful. Adelman pushed Denver to Game 7 of the second round despite being put in a nearly impossible position of getting the interim gig with just three games to go before the postseason. It’s his run of 17 that proved to the brass he’s cut out for the full-time position.
Now, in this role, Adelman will have the opportunity to refine his system and further evolve the relationships he established with players during his tenure as a long-time assistant in the Mile High City.
On the docket for him are three clear goals: organizational cohesion, developing more depth and growing the team’s 3-point shot-making.
“Consistent shooting — the way we get guarded, and that’s nothing new. ” Adelman said of the team’s biggest need. “It’s not like it’s just for us. If you’re watching these series, you know Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) and Ant (Edwards), everyone’s getting triple-teamed. They’re coming from all over the place.”
Nikola Jokic faced some extreme defenses in the playoffs from both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Each team was strong on that side of the ball, but their defenses were stronger against Denver because they opted not to guard multiple Nuggets players. This led to Jokic and Jamal Murray facing double teams all playoffs and in the three-time MVP’s case, a triple-team almost the entirety of Denver’s knockout Game 7 loss.
“We brought this up during the playoffs, and it’s funny, Julian sitting right here. I mean, his Game 6, you know, was incredible, and then we saw what Lou Dort did in Game 5, there’s a premium on shot making at the times you need it,” Adelman said, sitting feet from Nuggets shooting guard Julian Strawther, whose big-time makes forced that do-or-die Game 7. “When you get those moments, it’s not just about making shots during the season. I never look at percentages, because that’s not real when you get in those moments. It’s about the repetition, the confidence of making shots in those big games. It’s a talent, and it’s something that you can enhance yourself, being mentally tougher, playing more games throughout the season. It’s not just making shots, it’s making shots in the moment, and how do you get yourself ready for that moment?”
It was a giant hint from the next head coach that Strawther, who played 21 minutes a game this season but suffered an injury right before the playoffs, will get even more time in his coming third season in the NBA. Likewise, third-year player Jalen Pickett and fourth-year player Peyton Watson will likely get more burn to prove they can make shots in important spots. Heck, maybe even Christian Braun or the much-improved touch of Aaron Gordon will be taking the Nuggets’ biggest shots in January instead of the proven Murray.
“I think the guys are going through some experiences this year that maybe weren’t part of those things the last couple of years. You hope that translates to next season, because the trust is going to be there,” Adelman shared. “And you saw Nikola and Jamal, they trust their teammates, and they’re going to get off the ball and they’re going to make the right play, and now we’ve got to take those steps, whether that’s through talking about it mentally, the repetition they put in during the summer, the type of work they’re putting in, not just getting 100 shots up, but what kind of shots are you shooting? All that stuff matters; you get in those moments. And that’ll be talked about with these guys, but I think that’s what stood out to me throughout the season, and obviously in the playoffs.”
Adelman is right. Jokic was still willing to make the passes despite his teammates’ struggles to shoot. His potential assists numbers were great, but the 10-helper-a-night man failed to get double-figure assists in any game against the Thunder. Going back to the shooting woes of the team.
During the season, the Nuggets actually had the fifth-highest make rate of 3-pointers, but they just didn’t take many. Their 37.6% hit rate fell to 34.7% in the playoffs, which is currently 11th of the 16 teams to go dancing. Yet only the Heat, Grizzlies and Lakers had a worse percentage during fourth quarters as the Nuggets shot 29.8% in those important moments — all teams who went home in Round 1 via sweep or gentleman’s sweep.
As many have said before, it’s a make-or-miss league — Adelman will be counting on a lot of players who have already been through the wars in Denver to hit shots. All he can do now is prepare them for that next opportunity.
