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Can a healthy Ty Lawson get the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs?

By Andrew Melnick

Mar 31, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives to the basket during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives to the basket during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Nuggets missed the playoffs for the first time since drafting Carmelo Anthony last season. Losing Andre Iguodala to the Golden State Warriors was obviously a huge blow but losing Ty Lawson, among other point guards, for 20 games, may have hurt even more.

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Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders believes Lawson can help the Nuggets contend for a playoff spot.

"When Lawson has been healthy he has proven to be a top-10 point guard. The problem has been that he has battled injuries throughout his career and hasn’t completed a full season in his five seasons in the league, but he still hasn’t missed more than 21 games in a season. With Kenneth Faried having a great summer playing with Team USA and the Nuggets bringing Arron Afflalo back, the Nuggets should begin the season healthy and have the opportunity to compete for a playoff spot which will help Lawson’s chances of entering the conversation among the league’s best point guards."

A healthy Lawson would obviously go a long way but getting into the postseason in the loaded Western Conference would be quite the chore.

Lawson averaged 17.6 points, 8.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 43.1% from the field, 35.6% from beyond the arc and 79.8% from the free throw line. In his five-year career, the 18th-overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft, has averaged 14.0 points, 5.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 47.4% from the floor, 37.5% from three and 78.2% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.

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