The Denver Nuggets are on the rise at the right time. Winning six of their last eight, the team currently sits in the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff picture. The Denver Post’s Chris Dempsey joined Ryan Edwards and Danny Williams to discuss the Nuggets’ hot streak as well as trade rumors.

Dempsey feels Nuggets head coach Mike Malone has finally been able to resolve the issues that plagued the team early in the season. He also feels myriad factors have played into the Nuggets recent hot streak.

“I just think there was a little bit of confusion at the beginning of the season with player performances, combined with injuries, keeping guys out, combined with I’m not exactly sure they were 100 percent certain of how they wanted to operate, certainly offensively,” said Dempsey.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been fundamental in the Nuggets’ recent success, but Dempsey feels the whole team has come on as of late.

“Nikola Jokic is the guy who gets the bulk of the praise for that, and he should,” he said. “He has been fantastic in all areas of the game. Coupled along with that, he has a bunch of guys just shooting the ball well all at the same time.”

Dempsey also pointed out the extra benefits that having Jokic brings for the Nuggets. His scoring ability and passing are not the only positive facets of his game.

“The ability to have your center run plays and run offense through your center, thereby taking the other team’s big man out of the lane, thereby opening up the court, spacing it in a way that you can now get in the lane, get to the rim if you need to, collapse the defense, kick out for open threes if you need to, is invaluable.”

Furthermore, the Nuggets must worry about point guard Jameer Nelson heading to a new team due to his strong play. Dempsey stated many NBA teams have him on their radar.

“He’s having a great season, not a good season, but a great season, especially for a reserve point guard. Any team that needs to bolster that area of their roster has already called the Nuggets about Jameer Nelson.”

To hear the full interview with Chris Dempsey, including his thoughts on Carmelo Anthony potentially leaving the New York Knicks, listen to the podcast below.

https://soundcloud.com/milehighsports/1-26-17-chris-dempsey-joins-the-show-nuggets-finding-their-rhythm-no-longer-collecting-assets

Catch Ryan Edwards and Danny Williams every weekday from 9a-11a on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.