Five games into the 2011-12 NBA season and with the Nuggets responding to a disappointing loss in Los Angeles on Saturday, it's time to lay down some New Year's resolutions for 2012. Assuming the world doesn't come to an end, of course.
I've now seen the 2011-12 Nuggets twice up close. Combining their two home victories with one road victory and two road losses, it's apparent to this fan that this team has huge upside as long as each member of the team follows through on some New Year's resolutions. And start making jump shots.
Against the Lakers on Sunday evening in front of a sold out Pepsi Center, the Nuggets righted their rebounding woes and matched the bigger, taller Lakers with 44 total caroms. That - and the Nuggets' 99-90 victory - was the good news. The bad news is that the Nuggets were again soft on assists, with just 21, and horrid with their long-range shooting, making just two of their 18 three-point attempts. And while I don't know how the game felt on television, in person it seemed as though the Nuggets never owned the energy of the contest in what could have been a back-to-back runaway against the road-weary Lakers. (And one has to wonder whether or not the Nuggets would even have won had the Lakers' Kobe Bryant not missed 22 of his 28 shot attempts).
Thus, the Nuggets should get their New Year's resolutions in order as soon as possible. I propose the following...
Timofey Mozgov: Moz has to stay out of foul trouble while holding his ground better inside the paint. Moz again got whistled for two early fouls which took him out of the game early and he never got into a rhythm as a result. It's nice for the fans to get excited over a Mozgov/Nene frontline duo, but if Moz can't stay in the game for more than 15 minutes our dreamed of height advantage is non-existent.
Danilo Gallinari: Gallo must improve his footwork. His clumsiness on the court is costing him would-be easy layups and dagger long range jump shots. Gallo has made just three of his 23 three-point attempts this season and yet he's supposedly our best long-range shooting option.
Arron Afflalo: Afflalo must get into game shape ... and soon. Ever the gamer, Afflalo just looks "off" out there and isn't canning his outside shots consistently while also being hesitant on driving to the basket, a double negative.
Ty Lawson: Lawson should be lobbying the Nuggets' coaching staff to get more playing time. Simply put, when Lawson is on the floor the pace is up and the Nuggets run circles around their opponents ... just as this team was, in theory, designed for.
Al Harrington: Most people pledge to get in better shape for their New Year's resolution, and "Big Al" appears to have jumped on this trend many months early. Harrington just needs to stick with his current diet and fitness regimen and he'll continue to produce as we saw again against the Lakers on Sunday night.
Rudy Fernandez: The Spanish import will never realize his potential until he squares his shoulders on jump shots instead of fading away with trickery in his shooting form. Fernandez needs to forget trying to look good while playing basketball and instead ... just play basketball.
Nene Hilario: It's hard to pin a New Year's resolution on Nene who appears to be replicating last season's solid performance despite the long lockout and lack of training camp time. Nene should just maintain his composure and continue to attack the basket late in games, rather than be a fourth quarter footnote.
Chris Andersen: Birdman had a breakout game against the Lakers on Sunday night, but prior to that game he was too block-happy and as a result, left his feet too often in the Nuggets first four contests. Birdman must stay disciplined defensively and continue to provide weak side defensive help for his teammates.
Andre Miller: Push the ball, 'Dre! Too often the 35 year old Miller seems content to walk the ball up the court. His lack of urgency hurt the Nuggets during the fourth quarter against the Lakers at Pepsi Center, and it wasn't until head coach George Karl inserted Lawson back into the lineup that the Nuggets finally ran the Lakers off the floor.
Kosta Koufos: Koufos mus be resolved to be ready should Nene, Birdman or Mozgov go down with an injury. Lack of playing time today means nothing as it's certain Koufos will get called into action before Kenneth Faried will.
Kenneth Faried: Faried's resolution should be to stay patient. Real patient. Because Karl clearly isn't giving this rookie playing time anytime soon.
George Karl: Coach Karl must not forget his mantra for this season - run, run, run. The Nuggets too often slept-walked at moments in both Lakers games allowing the taller, older Lakers to slow the game down and force the Nuggets into long-range jump shots. Something the Nuggets clearly aren't very good at right now.
Recapping the Lakers' game...
Stiff of the Game
Kobe Bryant: Bryant still has the best footwork of any player in the NBA. But the greatest footwork in the world doesn't help if you can't make a shot after ditching your opponent. Bryant's 6-28 shooting and six turnovers did his Lakers in on Sunday night. Bryant's +/- was -17.
Non-Stiff of the Game
Ty Lawson: Gallo received the player of the game award at Pepsi Center, but it should have gone to Lawson. Lawson's efficient 17 points, 10 assists outing combined with his relentless energy and big-time rebounding was the catalyst for the Nuggets victory (his +/- was unKobe-like with +18, best among the Nuggets).
Parting Shot
At 3-2, the Nuggets have essentially won the games they were supposed to win. Let's hope that trend continues with a few surprises mixed in along the way.
Happy New Year, fellow Stiffs!
0 recs | 108 comments
first...
United Nugget Nations - January 1, 2012
First?
Tomorrow will be hard, hope Karl opens up the bench.
JR15 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
MANIMAL!
Missing Lynx - January 1, 2012
kk and brewer will be before him though
The_NGUYENNER - January 1, 2012
a nelson for you good sir.
i had too google carom
calvin brodus - January 2, 2012
Great win
There were a few Lakers fans behind us saying it’s Kobe time over and over again and how they needed to give Kobe the rock more. I couldn’t help but keep thinking they’d be way better if they gave half of Kobe’s shots to Gasol and Bynum.
chantech - January 1, 2012
Gasol was the most effective Laker tonight
They need to operate the offense more through him – he passes out of the post MUCH better than Bynum
Missing Lynx - January 1, 2012
hey chan,
are the unitary execs still writing for the blog at all? I enjoyed those.
Rainbow skyline - January 1, 2012
Yeah, we intend to...
Don’t have too much interesting insight yet (other than Miami is really good) – I think there’s a lot of noise so far and it’ll take us a few more weeks to figure out what’s going on and which teams are good and bad.
chantech - January 1, 2012
I was at the game too
Some thoughts on the game:
Bryant looked off, and Andrew Bynum clearly had tired legs.
Afflalo too seems to not have the lift or quickness he had last year. As everyone else is saying, yes, the dude needs to get into game shape.
Derick Fisher bothered Ty again by giving him minor hand checks whenever Ty caught the ball or began dribbling. Ty did a better job today than yesterday of fighting through the adversity.
Bird had great court awareness today, and I’d have to say the opposite of Mozgov. The full court pass to Andersen resulting in a swished fade away J was pretty smooth – his stroke has come a long way since he came into the league.
Missing Lynx - January 1, 2012
Good stuff
TakeFive - January 1, 2012
The Andersen swished fade was only smooth since it went in. If it had missed, we’d be remembering how he dropped the pass, fumbled the ball and was barely able to launch up the shot in time before the buzzer sounded. But his fallback did look nice and the swish was pretty impressive.
Nate Timmons - January 2, 2012
It was an amazing answer to the Blake 3, seconds before
being there, the energy was gaone but for a split second….great MO heading into the 4th
Clompy - January 2, 2012
NO doubt about that.
Was an amazing recovery by Dirty Bird.
Nate Timmons - January 2, 2012
Once this team starts hitting their 3's...
it’s over.
The_NGUYENNER - January 1, 2012
The Nuggets defense is encouraging
It is keeping them in the game, and usually that’s the mark of good teams.
I would rather have a good defensive team than a fast breaking one, that’s what works in the playoffs.
JR15 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
^This
TakeFive - January 1, 2012
that and it's hard to fast break if they score
atomiccafe - January 1, 2012
miller's + minutes suggest he wasn't hurting the team much
he was probably scared to death that rootytoot or gallo was going to hoist another 3 if he made a long lead pass
utahcoyote - January 1, 2012
This team
Would be really good if it could shoot. Hopefully some of the jumpers start falling. But really, hopefully Karl institutes a “no 3s” policy.
Teekalong - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Well, they got 31 FTs on 71 FGAs today so it’s not they’re settling. Gallo, Harrington and AAA should come around. With Rudy after you shoot poorly for two years it’s no longer a slump…
atomiccafe - January 1, 2012
two years?
one year. he broke the rookie record for three’s the year before.
not that anything but the here and now matters to most people.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 1, 2012
This is Rudy's 4th year in the league man.
3-point % over his career:
2008-09: 39%
2009-10: 36%
2010-11: 32%
2011-12: 24%
Nate Timmons - January 2, 2012
i notice a trend
skithebert - January 2, 2012
You also have to hope the law of averages will balance his 24% back up to 36+ here soon...
Nate Timmons - January 2, 2012
36% is pretty hopeful, we'll see
i was never a rudy fan, just listen to portland fans talk about his brick laying.
but the most frustrating thing is watching him shoot fadeaway/off balance 3’s EVERY FREAKING TIME, despite his terrible 3pt % and being wide open! And then George Karl goes and praises him after the game while at the same time STILL managing to publicly shit on JR who’s not even on the team anymore.
skithebert - January 2, 2012
Yeah, I’ve been weary of the Portland fan bashing, I do see some of the worries they have in his game, but there also has to be some bitterness about a guy who was publically bad mouthing the team. Melo barely said a bad word about the Nuggets fans and he is looked at by a villain by some, Rudy is somewhat in that same boat, but was more public in his unhappiness.
I am also confused by his pretty play that has been translating in turnovers and missed shots … still early though.
Nate Timmons - January 2, 2012
Glad Harrington continues to play well off the bench
Mostly overjoyed that Bird looked somewhat rejuvenated. I still get giddy thinking of that turnaround jumper that he swished at the buzzer with a defender in his face.
Easily the best shot he ever took. Looked amazing.
Glad to have you back. Still think K2 should get some of your minutes, though.
Fly Agaric - January 1, 2012
That was the play of the game IMO
Missing Lynx - January 1, 2012
Kobe’s shot selection was atrocious. 13 non-paint twos? That’s like free points. Thank you sir.
atomiccafe - January 1, 2012
this is something i never thought I would see on a laker blog
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2012/1/1/2675620/lakers-90-nuggets-99-gunned-down
atomiccafe - January 1, 2012
Dat's funny
TakeFive - January 1, 2012
Welcome to the . . .
Brown era, Laker fans.
JTR - January 2, 2012
All I know is that Cousins would real sweet in Powder Blue
TakeFive - January 1, 2012
not sure he's actually going anywhere,
but if he is we should be very active going after him.
Rainbow skyline - January 1, 2012
Im confident masai and josh would get him for a steal.
I hoping for a moz, rudy, maybe bird thing.
United Nugget Nations - January 1, 2012
i dont think rudy can be traded
at least he can’t on espn’s trade machine
swmrkev - January 1, 2012
Are you sure?
I’m pretty sure the only restriction with Rudy and Brewer is they can’t be reacquired.
The_NGUYENNER - January 2, 2012
90 Days
TakeFive - January 2, 2012
isn't he kind of a headcase?
ParkHillNative - January 1, 2012
yep
worth the risk. The goal is to win a championship. If we got Cousins for a good price and he pans out, Nugs are on the short list of contenders.
Rainbow skyline - January 1, 2012
When I watched Cousins put the team on his back to beat the Lakers...
That was special. Dikembe wasn’t a great player but in the playoffs when the chips were down, he would step up.
He’s not a headcase during games. Team player and easily the 3rd best center in the league (looking forward).
Best pure center to come out since 2004 when Howard was drafted, in my book.
TakeFive - January 2, 2012
Oh yes, Cousins can be a head case during games
He pouts. He stomps. He demands the ball. He sulks some more. He bitches at his teammates. And so on. Still, if he can be acquired, any team without a solid starting center would be foolish not to try. And yeah, Cousins’s ceiling is a tad above “solid.”
You always hope a player like him will come around. Few get away with such antics, yet some young players with dominating talent test the limits again and again. Why not see the writing on the wall and get the fuck with it? Arg.
LongWindedHank - January 2, 2012
Cousins would be nice if we still had Kenyon Martin
to put him in his place, but we do not have Kenyon anymore.
CloudBurst - January 2, 2012
George wouldn't allow it
Finally has a team with no head cases, isn’t gonna change that if he can help it…
Missing Lynx - January 1, 2012
If the FO sees the same "franchise" potential that I believe is there
They won’t give a shit what Karl wants. He’s 21 (in August) and could carry this team for another 15 years.
TakeFive - January 2, 2012
Besides GK can handle head cases with the best of em.
Their head case may just be our opportunity.
TakeFive - January 2, 2012
Call in a personal favor to Kenyon
Tell him to come talk some sense into this boy.
The_NGUYENNER - January 2, 2012
THIS
Please no Cousins. He’s a complete idiot. Why invite cancer into your house?
Pusherman - January 2, 2012
I love his talent
and man would his game fit well on this team…but I think I agree with you. He seems like a legitimately bad dude. I know we’re not running the girl scouts here, but there has to be a line and I think he may be on the wrong side.
Teekalong - January 2, 2012
I tend to agree
from Paul Westphal, “However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely.”
Guaranteed high risk, potentially high reward.
Ski Bum - January 2, 2012
I'm no expert
But it seems to me like a lot of those missed 3’s are getting heaved up in semi-desperation because there’s no half-court offense to speak of, and therefore nobody can figure out a way to get any other kind of shot off.
Anyway, no matter what else, it’s always a good day when the Nuggets beat the Lakers.
ParkHillNative - January 1, 2012
I'd like to see what % of 3s are actually squared up to the basket
I bet less than half…
Missing Lynx - January 1, 2012
But some of them are wide open
Off dribble penetration, kinda what the Spurs did last season.
I think the 3s will start falling, I just don’t know about Rudy. He seems like he has a good stroke but not enough lift in his legs.
JR15 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Rudy and Gallo
seem to drift/fade/lean way too much. Using poor form is not the best way to get out of a slump.
Teekalong - January 2, 2012
YES, ParkHillNative
Many of those threes seem to result from a lack of a coherent half-court offense. But I agree they’ll start to fall more often. Let’s hope soon.
LongWindedHank - January 2, 2012
Pics are up...
http://www.milehighfan.com/downloads/ – about 80 pics, zipped.
Kobe just couldn’t make things happen…
Russell Ray - January 1, 2012
If only Bird played like he did today...
Sure would be nice of him, ya know?
Mini Hulk - January 1, 2012
Fatigue is Affecting Shooting RIght Now
I believe the short training camp is the main culprit for the Nuggs shooting woes right now. They are playing very hard on defense, and the players look a bit winded on offense. If you are winded on offense, there is less movement and you tend to shoot with your arms not your legs. Let’s give the team two weeks to get in true NBA game shape and see if the shooting corrects. Gallo, Rudy and AAA are better shooters than they are showing right now, and I blame some fatigue.
As for Moz, I hope everyone is patient with him. The kid is still learning the NBA game, but he does appear to be a quick study. One thing he needs to learn is to play the game at a higher intensity level. When he is kind of loping around, he gets caught out of position and fouls a lot. I have noticed when he gets a bet angry, he seems to play better. Someone needs to dis his mother before each game.
Really like the effort, but as Andrew said, the Nuggs to get in better shape and run more. They are not the running offense team that Karl wants, and I really blame fatigue. The compressed schedule is tough, but I believe by mid-January we will see better offense and shooting from our Nuggs. Despite all that, the Nuggs are 3-2 (a +1 on the Doug Moe scale – - Road wins against home losses) and are going to be fine.
ACEIII - January 2, 2012
I keep telling myself this
And hope it’s the gospel truth. We all knew that the play in the league would be ragged for a while this season, yet we bitch and moan as if they had a normal training camp and pre-season run. I myself am among guiltiest parties.
/breathes deeply
LongWindedHank - January 2, 2012
BY the Way..
Keep an eye on AAA’s attitude about his playing time. I watched closely, and I believe he is not happy with his minutes and Karl’s rotations right now. Because AAA is a high character guy, I don’t think it will be an issue (at least in the media), but if Karl continues to play Andre and Rudy more at 2 than AAA, I am afraid this might affect his always-professional attitude. Hope he realizes he just has to get into game shape and the minutes will come. I look forward to the day when he is out leading the break, getting a lot of fast break lay-ups like he did last year. He does deserve some credit for Kobe’s bad game (as does Gallo who played Kobe pretty well).
ACEIII - January 2, 2012
to me,
it seems afflalo isn’t in a groove yet offensively at least. His D looked good against Kobe today. I think as the season goes on, his minutes will go back up and same for rudy(minus the minutes).
TyLawesome - January 2, 2012
i thought that about AAA as i watched him on the bench
but when i got home and re-watched the game on TV, he didnt look mad or anything.
hes still getting in game shape, like everyone is saying. of course karl’s 2PG and the Lakers size probably affected our lineup down the stretch. against a smaller team, i can see karl goin w ty, dre, aaa, gallo and nene.
1 thing, i feel like aaa is trying too hard on offense. need to define his role more on this new team. i dont think he should try and be a creator on offense, probably best to park for baseline 3s like last year. let ty/dre penetrate and kick out to him. IMO.
808inDenver - January 2, 2012
Some thoughts 5 games into the season
First of all great win! The Nuggets are running one game better than expectation, and iirc have covered on 4/5. What I liked most about yesterday’s win was Big Al and Birdman stepping in once Nene and Mosgov got into early foul trouble. That could have swung the game terribly in the Laker’s direction, but the Al/Bird not only held their own, they outperformed the starters! Kudos to those two, that stretch in the first quarter was HUGE for the Nuggets.
Mosgov – He’s going to be fine imo. YES he looks like a stiff, but other than the Dallas game these have been really difficult matchups for him. Every center he’s gone against has been athletic, and got him into foul trouble. Let’s not forget that most centers are stiffs who don’t work out of the post that often. I don’t think his goofiness will be an issue against the likes of Perkins, Deandre, Bogut, etc… Hopefully by the time we need him to take on guys like Bynum, he’ll be more experienced.
Gallo – A lot of people are down on him, but that’s because their expectations are way too high. What I’m most impressed with is his playmaking once he puts the ball on the ground. His assists are way up and turnovers still extremely low.. Once the shot starts falling he will be fine.
Nene/Afflalo – They are both getting back into form, and the short off season appears to have hurt them the most. I’m not worried.
Rudy – The only sore spot for me right now. If he would just stop worrying about shooting and concentrate on his playmaking, the shots might start falling.
Andre Miller – You are awesome!
Birdman – He’s been ridiculously hated on thus far. People forget how last year he was basically Tyson Chandler light, posting up career numbers on a per minute basis. That’s all we need him to do this year, and he’s been a notoriously slow starter. Bird will be fine.
rxmart2 - January 2, 2012
Either Marlowe or Hastings(I can't remember which one) hit the nail on the head regarding Mozgov.
They said “One of these days he’s going to figure out he’s 7’1’’, and then lookout!”
All Day Jay - January 2, 2012
it was hastings
Plea for Intelligence - January 2, 2012
Hands
Moz doesn’t catch the ball in the paint well or control rebounds yet.
Even when he has good position down low, his teammates don’t trust him yet to pass him the damn ball.
My last complaint: The fouls. I don’t care that he picks up fouls sometimes, but that they are stupid fouls. Ticky-tack shit. Guys, remember how when Kenyon got called for a foul, it was because it was a foul as Kenyon wasn’t going to waste whistles on reaches and touches.
I still think he should start and get 20 minutes a night. And I’d like to see Kosta get some burn in non-garbage situations. Mainly to keep Nene at power forward.
I mean, wasn’t playing a C a big complaint of his? This small ball often means he is right there where he doesn’t want to be.
Fly Agaric - January 2, 2012
but what i like about Mozgov is he keeps the ball up high
he doesn’t bring it below his waist where pesky guards can get it.
NugNugz - January 2, 2012
Funny stat
That was the most misses by Kobe in a game for his entire career.
stan_26 - January 2, 2012 via iPhone app
So, what do you all expect from today?
Milwauckee has rested 2 days straight while we’ve faced the Lakers twice, not so sure about tonight’s outcome, even though we play at home.
Let’s hope we can get a good margin soon so we don’t need much physical presence at the end.
Lucas Navarrete - January 2, 2012
We should run Milwaukee out of the building
But the players have to be mentally tough today.
Plz open the bench GK!
JR15 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
i wanna see Brewer ("Chicken Legs"), KK, and Faried
NugNugz - January 2, 2012
not goin to a nuggets/lakers game again
tired of all these laker fans who think they are entitled. last season when we lost to them some laker fan was talkin mad trash to me all game. last night, as we were leaving some laker fan pushes me from behind and when i turn around and ask him why hes pushing me, he starts flicking me off.
not even worth it.
808inDenver - January 2, 2012
at least all those dult Laker fans
increase the Denver Nuggets revenue, I’d like to see us sell out against the Charlotte Bobcats for once.
CloudBurst - January 2, 2012
youre far more patient than i would be in that situation.
calvin brodus - January 2, 2012
See
But if you don’t go, that just opens up even more tickets for Laker fans.
It is a sad fact that some sports fans can be drunken assholes looking for a fight. They tend to gravitate around successful teams and have no real allegiance, just like to pick fights.
These same dudes populate bars around LoDo.
Fly Agaric - January 2, 2012
throw a punch dude.
NugNugz - January 2, 2012
He'd just get thrown out and pick up a criminal record.
Chrysicat - January 2, 2012
some things are worth the consequences.
NugNugz - January 3, 2012
The world would be a much more civil place
if more folks realized that they could get their ass kicked for being jerks.
NC Gold - January 3, 2012
i couldn't agree more
NugNugz - January 4, 2012
We really need Lawson to play like CP3
and drive to the hoop, draw the defense in and pop out, it seems those 3 point shots from Lawson drives tend to be the most effective 3 point shots.
CloudBurst - January 2, 2012
Small ball
Ty: +18
Al: +15
Dre: +15
Bird: +17
Moz: -14
Trip: -10
With all apologies to Big Al, whom I and others have been very critical of, Small Ball won the game for us yesterday. GK was quoted on Moz (-14 in 13 minutes played??!!) as saying as long as we’re winning, he’s sticking with Small Ball. As much as we’d like to see giant guys crashing down dunks and blocking shots, the plus-minus shows us who’s winning games. We can expect more of the same. I am also a Bird critic and it was nice to see the old middle finger out there last night, but does anyone notice that he looks skinnier and weaker than previous seasons? He could barely make his dunk.
Plea for Intelligence - January 2, 2012
If we played a big lineup
we would be trying to play half court offense. I disagree with Nates assessment that Miller needs to push the ball, not because I don’t think its a bad strategy, but that Miller has never changed his style of game for 12 years and he isn’t going to start now. Miller is like A.C in that when he pushes the ball, he doesn’t push up the court with the ball, he pushes the ball by passing and he only does that when someone is up ahead for an easy layup or dunk, in fact I think Gallo is purposefully trying to Cherry pick the other end so Miller will pass up to him.
CloudBurst - January 2, 2012
great example was the pass to gallo at end of game at staples
really perfectly timed lead pass, just had a poor result.
one of the reasons that would love to see brewer get more burn, is you would see fast tempo miller style as brewer runs court incredibly well.
utahcoyote - January 2, 2012
as an aside to this, think 3 of miller's assists last night were to bird
utahcoyote - January 2, 2012
and leave out the smartest player GK has ever coached? I think Brewer will play and contribute. Has to prove himself though.
Plea for Intelligence - January 2, 2012
I like the idea of Brewer at the 3
more than Rudy. The three guard lineup of Miller, Ty, and Rudy is not a thing of beauty… Rudy has done more bad than good this year and its not even debatable. I think Brewer at the 3, Miller at the 2 and Lawson at the 1 makes a lot more sense when Gallo is on the bench.
CloudBurst - January 2, 2012
i agree about proving oneself
but what has Fernandez done to prove the time he plays each game? I like Fernandez, all I’m saying is that if he’s not hitting, Karl needs to go to someone else (Brewer, Hamilton)
NugNugz - January 2, 2012
I agree with all of this
Miller doesn’t break down defenses with his dribbledrive penetration like Ty. But he runs the half-court better and isn’t exactly a slouch when it comes to the fast break.
All that said, Ty absolutely needs to be the closer. He’s a better shooter and can get to the other end of the court in seconds.
The results of the two PG haven’t been terrible. But I do not want to see it during closing time. I want AAA playing lockdown D and hitting spot up 3 in the other guard spot.
Since I’m thinking about it, the crunch frontcourt ought to be Gallo, Harrington and Nene.
Fly Agaric - January 2, 2012
Wow, intelligence, thanks for this corrective
I’m frustrated as hell with what I still see as Karl’s bizarre rotation, yet these numbers don’t lie. I’m well aware that + – isn’t necessarily the gold standard, but still. If small ball is truly effective, some of us need to stop our bitching.
At the same time, an NBA team must have ways to score consistently in the half court. The game will slow down, especially in the postseason. The Ty Lawson-run Nuggets do a great job of threatening to run, even after made baskets, but no team can run on every possession. (Yeah, what a revelation.) Sometimes that means putting a line-up on the floor that matches up well with your opponent, which includes height considerations. (Yep, the revelations just keep on coming.)
And we haven’t even addressed DEFENSE!
LongWindedHank - January 2, 2012
Bench support
Is there a chance Kosta and some others might get some burn tonight with the trip back to backs?
Plea for Intelligence - January 2, 2012
we can only hope
808inDenver - January 2, 2012
Marc Stein, ESPN power rankings bump Nugs up to 4. Seems a bit high but we'll take it
“Maybe I’m saying so because the committee (of one) was there in person to see Denver splatter the defending champs in its season opener, but the Nuggets — with all their speed and depth — look as dangerous as a team can when it loses two early.”
Plea for Intelligence - January 2, 2012
Milwaukee is kinda good.
Read the Brewhoops.com preview, Brandon Jennings is off to a fast start.
With the fatigue combined with our horrid 3 point shooting and other issues, I think we might be lucky to win tonight.
margabelle - January 2, 2012
AAA is back to esoteric tweeting...
Say what, Arron?
SDcat09 - January 2, 2012
I think what he is saying
Is that he is trying to embrace being the role-player he is and he is realizing he shouldn’t fight the urge to be the next Kobe Bryant.
ROLL CALL!
for last games game thread.
CloudBurst - January 2, 2012
Cat leading the way!!! haha
Nate Timmons - January 2, 2012
HA!
You should see my stats at PR. Err…maybe not.
I tend to win the game threads :)
SDcat09 - January 2, 2012
ooo I didn't know that you keep tabs on this
this could really change how I enjoy the game…!
NugNugz - January 2, 2012
Yeah!
3rd! And I was cooking dinner!
Army of Nugs - January 2, 2012
i came in 2nd while macking on SDcat!
NugNugz - January 2, 2012
Al Has a shot at 6th Man Award
If he keeps playing like this. He adds a dynamic off the bench that Nuggs really need. Ty has a shot at an all- star bid if he keeps this up. And, I really love Gallo’s nerve. The kid is fearless. Can’t wait to see how things look in mid-January.
ACEIII - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Did anybody see gallos post game interview infront of the fans?
Really likes the denver fans
5baker5 - January 2, 2012
they make him fall in love before they'll sleep with him
InboundingLobPass - January 2, 2012 via mobile
bwahahahahahaha!
rec’d
Jeffrey Morton - January 2, 2012
Must agree that Lawson needs more mintues
Lawson’s and Miller’s games are so contrasting, and so complementary, that it’s easy to see why Karl loves having them on the floor together. Yet Miller’s minute are still affecting Lawson’s, especially in the early going. It’s easy to see how this slows the game down; it’s also easy to see that Lawson can’t necessarily stay connected to the flow of the game from the bench. Furthermore, the guy is still quite young and relatively inexperienced. Player development demands minutes!
Miller will never “push the ball,” but that shouldn’t stop him from getting up the damn court to set the offense earlier in the shot clock. The last thing this team needs right now is to look up at the clock to find the added pressure of getting a good shot off in 10 or 12 seconds!
That said, who sees the entirety of the court better than Miller? The guy gets his team easy baskets again and again—and not only with spectacular long touchdown passes, but also in some heavy traffic in the lane. Again, our point guards have tremendous, complementary skills; it’s up to that guy over on the bench to utilize them to the utmost.
LongWindedHank - January 2, 2012
By the way, GREAT WIN
This was the kind of game the Nuggets often find a way to lose. but they closed it out in fine fashion. Hoping it’s a confidence builder and harbinger of good things to come.
LongWindedHank - January 2, 2012
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