The Denver Nuggets have come surging out of the gates to start the second half of the season. With a 9-1 record since the All-Star break, the Nuggets are a half-game behind Oklahoma City for first place in the West. Their defense, especially the play of forward Peyton Watson, has helped fuel their current run. If Watson can continue to play defense at an elite level, head coach Michael Malone’s team will reign atop the NBA yet again.
Peyton Watson: Career Beginnings
Prior to arriving in the Mile High City, Peyton Watson played one season at UCLA under head coach Mick Cronin. During his time as a Bruin, Watson averaged 3.3 points per game. However, the California native truly shined on the defensive end of the floor. His 19 blocks during the 2021-2022 season were the second-most on the team behind Myles Johnson. However, Watson played in fewer games than Johnson. Additionally, he had yet to develop his offensive game. Therefore, he had to rely on his defense if he was going to make an impact in the NBA. That’s just what he set out to do in 2022.
Peyton Watson: From Los Angeles To Denver
In 2022, the Denver Nuggets drafted Peyton Watson with the 30th overall pick. He was the first Bruin drafted by an NBA team since Jaylen Hands in 2019. Coming out of UCLA, he drew comparisons to Maurice Harkless, who last played in the NBA in 2022 for the Sacramento Kings. Similar to Harkless, scouts praised Watson’s passing abilities as well as his defensive prowess. Because his playing time at UCLA was limited due to a veteran-rich team, scouts were concerned with the overall development of his game. If given the opportunity, he has the ability to become a leader on defense for the Nuggets.
Peyton Watson: The Repeat Catalyst
The Denver Nuggets are building a dynasty. Following their 125-119 victory over the Toronto Raptors on March 11, Peyton Watson and company have established a rhythm. They are firing on all cylinders with the end of the regular season in sight. With 17 games remaining in the regular season, Malone’s team looks to leapfrog Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. Even though Watson and the Nuggets lost to Oklahoma City in their latest matchup on January 31, they have been playing like the defending NBA champions as of late. Behind Watson’s lockdown defense and Nikola Jokic being a walking triple-double, the Denver Nuggets are the most complete team in the NBA this season. Peyton Watson and the Nuggets are well on their way to becoming back-to-back NBA champs in 2024.
About The Author
Christopher Svancara has been a passionate fan of basketball, baseball, and football since he was young. He also has a passion for expressing himself through his writing. His favorite aspect of writing about sports is uncovering the hidden stories about players and teams. As a Colorado native and an alumnus of the University of Colorado Boulder, Svancara developed a passion for a variety of Colorado sports teams. His favorite teams are the Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, and Denver Nuggets. He loves to attend sporting events to watch the drama unfold in person. Sharing the excitement of these moments with his readers is what motivates him to be a sports writer for Total Apex Sports.
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