Nuggets notebook: Julian Strawther downplays preseason success; Peyton Watson's hurt hamstring progressing

Julian Strawther isn’t putting too much stock in his strong preseason performance.

After averaging 4.5 points in limited playing time as a rookie, Strawther enjoyed a productive, albeit short, stint at Summer League. After that it was back to Denver for more work in preparation for his second professional season.

“He was, by far, the guy that was in our gym the most. That wasn’t demanded of him,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after Sunday’s practice at Ball Arena.

“He wanted to be here. He wanted to work, and I love the fact he committed himself the way he did.”

Strawther said he spent the summer getting in better shape, something that will help him on both ends of the court, and fine-tuning his shot after a disappointing 29.7% from 3 in his rookie season.

“I knew that I needed to work on being a more consistent player on both ends of the floor,” he said. “I came in here, and I worked on my jumper until my arm was going to fall off. Hopefully, we can just keep it consistent.”

The work has been rewarded. Strawther posted 18.8 points per game and went 13 for 26 from 3-point range across five preseason games.

“Preseason doesn’t mean anything,” Strawther said. “Summer League didn’t mean anything in preseason. Preseason’s not going to mean nothing in the regular season. I’m just trying to carry the momentum and go out there and produce.”

The real thing starts Thursday when the Nuggets host Oklahoma City in both teams’ season-opener. Strawther’s shooting ability will be crucial to the second unit’s spacing from the outset. Malone challenged Strawther to be a volume 3-point shooter with an average of 38% or better, an 80% or better free-throw shooter and an improved one-on-one defender this season.

“Summer League is one thing. Preseason is another. The regular season is a completely different animal,” Malone said. “Can he take his productivity and bring that into the regular season, because we’re going to need that. Julian’s going to be a really, really key part for our team whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.”

Peyton’s progress

Peyton Watson, another important piece of Denver’s bench, took another step forward Sunday.

After missing all five preseason games with a hamstring injury, Watson was a full participant in practice for the first time in roughly five weeks.

“We’ll see how that injury, that muscle reacts to what he did today,” Malone said.

Denver’s coach was encouraged by Watson’s conditioning Sunday. The hope is Watson feels good enough to participate again Monday. Malone said he wanted his team to play three or four quarters of a game Monday, and he was hoping to see Watson participate in what is likely to be the most strenuous practice before the season begins.

“I’m not making him out to be Doctor J, but we need him. The things he brings to the table, he’s going to be an important part for this team,” Malone said. “I see him running the floor in that second unit with a guy like Russell Westbrook. I think those two are going to be really good together.”

Embracing the challenge

There’s no easing into the season in Denver, and that’s OK with the Nuggets.

Their season starts against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that many project to have the best record in the Western Conference this season.

"For sure,” Jamal Murray answered when asked if he liked starting the season with such a test.

“We’re all ready to go. I’m just trying to stay mentally locked in.”

Malone noted Oklahoma City’s 3-1 record against Denver last season. That served as the tiebreaker that granted the Thunder the No. 1 seed.

“We know what they’re capable of,” Malone said. “I think our guys know the importance of getting off to a great start, especially at home in front of the best fans in the NBA.”