Strawther pinpoints how Denver plans to make crucial adjustments before the playoffs.
The Denver Nuggets have had a wild second half of the season so far, and Julian Strawther thinks the team is starting to figure out what they need to fix before the playoffs arrive.
Denver currently sits at 38-24 on the year, which is good for fifth in the Western Conference and puts them right in the middle of a tight race behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Houston Rockets.
The Nuggets looked like they were rolling earlier in the season, but a rough stretch that saw them go 4-8 over a 12-game span has raised some real questions about whether this group can flip the switch when it matters most.
After dealing with the ups and downs of Denver's recent run, Strawther shared what the team has taken away from it all.
Strawther Sounds Off on What He's Seen
"We learned a lot, but, I feel like we've identified the things that could hold us back in terms of, doing what we want to do and winning a championship," Strawther said. "So just being able to see those things and actually make changes to them in the next month and a half while we got a chance. That's our goal."
That kind of talk carries weight coming from a player who has had to stay ready through an up-and-down season of his own.
Strawther is averaging 7.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game this season while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from three in 39 appearances.
He has made 11 starts, and when he has been given the chance to play bigger minutes, he has shown he can produce, including a stretch where he averaged over 15 points per game across multiple starts when Denver was shorthanded.
A Rollercoaster Second Half
The Nuggets' second half has been anything but smooth.
Denver has been trading wins and losses for weeks, and head coach David Adelman has taken responsibility for the team's struggles in late-game situations.
Injuries have played a huge role too, with Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, and Cameron Johnson all missing time during key stretches, forcing players like Strawther to step into bigger roles on short notice.
The good news is that Nikola Jokic continues to be the engine that makes everything go, putting up 28.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game on 57.0% shooting.
Jamal Murray has also been having the best year of his career, and the duo remains one of the best in basketball, but the team knows they need more from the supporting cast if they want to make a deep run.
Strawther's Role Moving Forward
For Strawther, the path forward is about staying ready and being able to contribute when his number is called.
He proved earlier this season that he can handle starter minutes, and his ability to stretch the floor as a 6-foot-6 wing makes him a valuable piece when the team gets fully healthy.
The question is whether he can find more consistency with his outside shot, which has dipped to 33.0 percent from beyond the arc this year after shooting 36.9 percent as a rookie.
With about a month and a half left before the postseason, the Nuggets have time to make the fixes Strawther is talking about and get their full roster back in sync.
Denver has championship DNA with Jokic and Murray leading the way, but it will be up to role players like Strawther to fill the gaps when the games start to matter the most.