National Basketball Association

New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets: What to Watch For

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:17 p.m. ET

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Dec 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) shoots a three point shot over New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Pelicans won 130-125. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets regular season is finally here. They will be facing off against the New Orleans which could be called a must-win for the Nuggets.

I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. The NBA season is back and our very own Denver Nuggets head to New Orleans to take on Anthony Davis and the Pelicans.

The electricity felt in the air at the beginning of a new sports season is exhilarating. The possibilities of what may transpire over the next six months are endless and for the first time in a long time, zero teams are actively trying to tank from the outset.

Everybody starts equal. The slate is clean at 0-0. To me, the thing that makes sports the greatest piece of entertainment in the world is that we simply don’t know whats about to happen. In movies, TV shows, books and whatever else, we can skip to the end, or be victimized by a spoiler.

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But not sports. Not the NBA.

This is real life. Real people. And completely unscripted.

I’m so ready to take this journey.

Let’s dive head first into the season and the Nuggets first regular season game.

Oct 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone in overtime against the Golden State Warriors at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors won 129-128. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Will coach Malone stick with his preseason rotation?

After eight preseason games, Nuggets fans were given a solid idea as to what type of lineups coach Michael Malone will employ in the early part of the season.

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For the majority, Malone started Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic alongside one another with great success. Expect this to be the starting lineup in New Orleans as longtime starter Kenneth Faried moves to a more suited bench role.

The backcourt rotation seems set, with Will Barton starting next to Emmanuel Mudiay in the absence of Gary Harris. When Harris is healthy however, the backcourt rotation will likely be split between starters Mudiay and Harris, and backups Jameer Nelson, Jamal Murray and Will Barton.

Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried were often the first two players off the bench in the preseason and it is safe to assume this will be the case against the Pelicans.

Unfortunately, for youngsters Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez and Jarnell Stokes, they may be relegated to the end of the bench. It will be no fault of their own, as they all had very promising summers, however this team is deep at every position and some players have to miss out.

Oct 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) reacts after a play in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 101-75. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Kenneth Faried is primed for a career best season

Bringing Faried off the bench is an exceptional move by head coach Michael Malone.

To me, Faried has always appeared to be the perfect first guy off a teams bench. He is a high motor, hustling, emotional and motivating player who is best used in short bursts to inject a team with energy.

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Knowing he only has short periods of time to make an impact, Faried will come into games early and provide that spark. While his numbers may ultimately take a slide, his overall impact and importance to the Nuggets may very well elevate to all-time highs this upcoming season due to the fact he will play this role so effectively.

Watch for Faried to enter the game in New Orleans and start the season with a bang.

Oct 20, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives the ball down court during the first quarter of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Can Anthony Davis return to the path of super-duper stardom?

This time last year, had you asked the question; If you had to take one player to start a franchise with, who would it be? The answer from the majority of people would have been Anthony Davis.

Now however, that answer is more likely to be Karl-Anthony Towns.

Davis was perceived to be a lock to become a mega superstar in the NBA, as many were picking him as an MVP candidate entering last season. However, after a myriad of unlucky injuries that led to a disappointing 2015/16 season, Davis’ star has faded a little among NBA fans.

If Davis remains healthy, he will be one of the better players in this league year after year for the next decade. He is too talented not to be one of the best. But, he has to stay on the court.

Look for Anthony Davis to come out of the blocks fast and reestablish himself as one of the leagues very best players when the Nuggets come to town.

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