George Karl believes the Nuggets’ overall defense can improve this season.

"With Andre Iguodala, I think we have a stopper," Karl said of his new starting shooting guard, an all-star last season. "I don't think we're going to be statistically high in a lot of traditional defensive categories. But I think differential is the key for us — field-goal differential, points differential, turnover differential. How we control the other team. Can we have moments of defensive momentum rather than offensive momentum? Can we have moments when we intimidate with our presence on the defensive end on the court?

"And, in the fourth quarter, I still believe you win most games with stops, extra possessions, offensive rebounds, making free throws. I just think defensively you win so many close games with intimidation."

Denver ranked ranked 20th overall in defensive efficiency last season.