Nuggets Show Grit, Cam Johnson Sees Higher Ceiling

Nuggets Show Grit, Cam Johnson Sees Higher Ceiling

Even when opponents light up the scoreboard, the Denver Nuggets are finding a way to win, and forward Cam Johnson sees even more potential ahead. The Nuggets showed off their resilience in a recent game where they overcame a hot-shooting opponent to secure a victory. This ability to battle back, even when things aren’t going perfectly, is what excites Johnson about the team’s direction.

“I think we are finding our rhythm and I think that’s a good thing,” Johnson stated. He pointed to a recent game where the opposing team hit an impressive 25 three-pointers, shooting over 50% from beyond the arc. Despite this offensive onslaught, Denver managed to dig deep and find a way to win.

Poise Under Pressure

What impressed Johnson most was the team’s composure. Instead of getting discouraged or letting frustration take over, the Nuggets stayed united. “There was a level of poise and like a not like a splintering everybody go their own way, you know, frustrations, whatever, whatever,” he explained. The team came together with a clear focus: chip away at the lead and win the game.

This mental toughness came from everyone, on the court and from the bench. It created a confident atmosphere that allowed them to believe they could close the gap in the fourth quarter. And they did just that, proving their mettle even when facing a team on fire. Johnson believes the team’s ceiling is still higher, especially with more players getting back to full strength.

P Watson’s Impact and Depth

The return of P.J. Washington is also a significant factor Johnson is looking forward to. Washington has been a strong offensive player this season and brings valuable defensive versatility. “He’s offensively has been, you know, great this year. And then defensively is as versatile as anybody in the league,” Johnson said. Adding him back will only boost the team’s capabilities.

The overall depth of the roster is another strength. When players like Julian, referring to Julian Strawther, can come off the bench and contribute quickly, it makes Denver incredibly hard to defend. In the recent game, Strawther scored 11 points in about 10-15 minutes, hitting threes and making timely shots. “His impact on the game was huge yesterday,” Johnson noted.

The Jokic Conundrum

This kind of balanced scoring from different players makes Denver a difficult matchup. It forces opponents to make tough decisions about who to guard. The classic two-man game involving Nikola Jokic presents a constant challenge. “It’s the conundrum with Jokic, you know, we saw it yesterday where they’re trying to find who to leave,” Johnson observed.

Guarding Jokic and his partner often requires more than just two defenders. This can open up opportunities for other players. For example, Aaron Gordon hit three crucial three-pointers late in the game that helped seal the victory. “If you give AG a corner three, he made three huge threes to to seal the deal,” Johnson added.

Looking Ahead to the Playoffs

Johnson believes this is the kind of performance and adaptability the Nuggets need to show consistently, especially as the playoffs approach. The ability to win even when the opponent is shooting lights out, combined with contributions from throughout the roster, is a promising sign. With Washington set to return and the team continuing to gel, Denver looks poised to make a deep playoff run.

The team’s confidence in closing out games, even against hot shooting, shows a mature approach. This resilience and depth, along with the continued development of their rhythm, suggest that the Nuggets might not have even reached their full potential yet. Opposing teams will have to prepare for multiple threats, making Denver a formidable opponent in the postseason.

“I still think our ceiling is even higher. And we’re still missing P.J. Washington who offensively has been, you know, great this year.” – Cam Johnson

Source: Cam Johnson thinks Nuggets still have a HIGHER CEILING to reach #denvernuggets #nba #jokic (YouTube)