The Denver Nuggets defeated the New Jersey Nets tonight 123-115. Several Nuggets players had themselves great games. Offense was running smoothly. Things went well the whole game - for the most part...
...Hey, sometimes the ball just goes in the basket. It just so happened that the further away the Nets were, the more likely they were to make said shot...
An ungodly, and I would say unholy three-point shooting percentage kept this game from being another 20+ blow out again. I was thinking this shooting spree by the Nets (who sank and unbelievable 20 - 35 three-point shots) must have been aided by the hand of some malevolent three-point shooting demi-god. I'd like to know what sacrifices Deron Williams and the gang paid to this god because it tangentially rubbed off on the Nuggets (11-18 for a whopping 61%)
All that aside, I never got the feeling that the Nuggets were in any danger of losing this game. It was one of those confident feelings you just have about a game, and midway through the 3rd quarter when the Nets made run after run and couldn't ever get it close enough (closing to within 8 a couple times in the fourth quarter) even with their fantastic three-point shooting then you kind of know this game is going to the win column. Perfect example of this was Jordan Farmar ending up with 26 points and still having a -1 in the plus/minus stat. Same goes for Anthony Morrow's 23 and -12.
I have to say that Deron Williams is truly and elite point guard. Even though his flopping still infuriates me to no end, I still would love him on this team. He shoots well and makes plays (even though he still has a bad temper that get's him in trouble...like tonight). Yet, outside of Williams the Nets are seriously lacking play makers. They do have a bunch of shooters, but they are seriously lacking in dynamic players. While Kris Humphries is ok, he's not great. While Anthony Morrow is a great shooter, he is lost on a team that can't compensate for his deficiencies in other areas. New Jersey is a team in flux, and that could be by design.
The Nuggets had a nice all-around team victory tonight. Danilo Gallinari paced the team with 22 points and 5 assists. 17 of those came in the first quarter when Denver was still trying to find its offensive footing (hangover from the New Orleans game?). In a potentially bad sign, Gallo injured his foot and was icing his ankle at the end of the game. The one player the Nuggets can't afford to lose is Gallo and the hope is it's not too serious.
Corey Brewer had 19 points and provided that, dare I say it, J.R. Smith like energy ability off the bench. He was dynamic and exciting in the second quarter. In the third and fourth quarters Arron Afflalo came alive and started knocking down three point shots. He also finished with 19 points. There was definite ebb and flow to the game, but it was always in the Nuggets favor. There never seemed to be a point after midway through the first where the Nuggets weren't dealing from a point of control, or letting the Nets back in the game due to general sloppiness. The Nuggets mental lapses in the fourth quarter, combined with the unholy three-point shooting by the Nets made this game appear quite a bit closer than it actually was.
Bench contributions from Al Harrington (13 points), and particularly Rudy Fernandez were another bright spot tonight. Rudy finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals in back up point guard duty. I think I'm starting to understand the Spaniard a little better now. He is an all around play maker, and not just a three point specialist. If George Karl puts Rudy in this role again I believe he will flourish. Fernandez' ability to see the court is actually quite surprising and his passing is truly great (along with Gallo). These are the things that get you really excited about this team going forward.
Also, a special "He giveth" award goes to Andre Miller who dished out 12 assists tonight. Way to go Andre. The team certainly passed the ball alot tonight, and much of it has to do with 'Dre and his unique passing ability.
Nuggets of Wisdom
The team managed to snap out of their doldrums from Monday night and come back strong. Ignore the score, the Nuggets played far better than it indicates and it showed. Gallo is rounding in to the player the Nuggets believe he can be. Corey Brewer is a great surprise and poses a dynamic threat at any time. Rudy is moving on from being a straight three point shooter to just an all around play maker. AAA seems to have his legs back under him and is playing better than he has all season. It's these things that make me excited about this team going forward.
One sour note. Timofey Mozgov continues to befuddle me. He looked tentative and lost again tonight. At one point he has a small point guard on him, and rather than back down he passes out (AAA happened to hit a three on that possession but all the same) several other times he looked like he didn't want the ball in his hand at all. I'm not sure what is going on with Moz's head, but he needs to get it screwed on tight. Otherwise starting Kosta Koufos may be the ticket until Moz figures out what he needs to.
Other than that. Great win. GO NUGGETS!!
Twitter: @jmorton78 https://twitter.com/#!/jmorton78
mortonagency@juno.com
0 recs | 69 comments
Don't think I've ever had one, so...
first
Russscot - January 11, 2012
and nice recap
Russscot - January 11, 2012
Thanks Russcot!
Jeffrey Morton - January 11, 2012
(psst...Check the headline....says Nets vs Nugges...not Nuggets)
SDcat09 - January 11, 2012
Maybe that's his pet name for the team
Russscot - January 11, 2012
Oh didn't think of that
SDcat09 - January 11, 2012
FIXED
Jeffrey Morton - January 11, 2012
That toothbrush is sooo close now,
I bet you can almost taste it!
love4nuggets - January 12, 2012
Ok, get the TV.
Kevin L - January 11, 2012
Wow, What a game.
United Nugget Nations - January 11, 2012
"insert joke about it being past my bedtime"
United Nugget Nations - January 11, 2012
You're a teenager. You're a freaking vampire
SDcat09 - January 11, 2012
No, you don't become a vampire until college
free7694 - January 11, 2012
I'm pretty sure you become a vampire at 15
SDcat09 - January 11, 2012
14 unless you disable the internet so they can't Facebook.
That’s my parental experience.
margabelle - January 12, 2012
I really can't stand the play by play guy
SDcat09 - January 11, 2012
Ball don't what, Sheed?
Kevin L - January 11, 2012
OT! That's about right
SDcat09 - January 11, 2012
Great pass.
Kevin L - January 11, 2012
And a thumb to the eye by Flair!!!
Kevin L - January 11, 2012
that was a goaltend
Russscot - January 11, 2012
blatant goaltending
Rainbow skyline - January 11, 2012
Great, now the Heat are gonna be in a surly mood on Friday
Russscot - January 11, 2012
They don't bother me
SDcat09 - January 11, 2012
Scared?
Kevin L - January 11, 2012
i was lmao at the end of this game... haha
love it when lebron loses and shoots bricks.
moonchild808 - January 11, 2012
Night, Stiffies! Gotta get up early tomorrow
Russscot - January 11, 2012
Night!
SDcat09 - January 11, 2012
That first lob to Griff.
Mother of Tebow….
Kevin L - January 11, 2012
Gotta like Rudy's balanced stats
He needs to be more consistent with that kind of all around game. But he is getting more comfortable with this team and that’s good.
All these injuries give bench guys opportunities to step up and prove it.
Nuggburg - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Well, night Stiffs. Good win tonight.....Go Nugges!
SDcat09 - January 12, 2012
haha
I missed the game, but it looks like we did alright.
moondoggie12 - January 12, 2012
What I saw from this game
Gallo is a budding all star, but I wish he would develop a mid range game. If he could do that, he’d be a top 20 player.
AAA might just have his legs back and not a moment too soon.
Fernandez haters to the left, please. I knew this guy would start to click here.
I’d rather play small ball with Brewer in than birdman.
Faried or Kosta should have had time to close out the game especially when the defense went to shit.
KevinAwesome - January 12, 2012
Oh and any time Gallo has a chance to really score 30 +
He is sitting on the bench come 4th quarter (sans SAS). The success of this team does depend on his game.
KevinAwesome - January 12, 2012
about Manimal and Kosta
had the Nets not been shooting and draining long range attempts, we would have seen Manimal. Starting the 4th we had a huge lead, but for every shot we made, they hit a 3. Was at the game with Nate and UN Fab Five. We wanted to see Stone for a few more minutes too, guy is a pretty good defender.
Army of Nugs - January 12, 2012
Agreed
but Birdman was on the floor for a good part of the 4th, no? And maybe not the Faried, but Kosta should have been sprinkled into the game here and there. The guy has EARNED minutes.
KevinAwesome - January 12, 2012
I think Gallo does
have a mid range shot. In the SAS game i watched him do the mid range one on one flinch and stroke, you know what that guy who used to wear 15 around here was famous for. When he shot that I had dejavu. Gallo is a budding all star and should be the closer of this team. I am confident in just about any shot Gallo is taking at the moment. As far as Rudy goes… I ripped him more than just about anyone when he got here. I’m now eating my crow and absolutely love the adition. I love his passing, and never knew he had that in him. I never remember seeing that in Portland… maybe he actually likes this system and this team first mentality instead of many other teams featuring all stars where bench players have to actually try to get shots whereas the Nuggets system allows for everyone to get shots. I just think the Nuggets system is fun for all the players because there is no one player demanding a certain amount of shots like Melo who needed his 28 shots a game and after that it was everyone else fighting for the rest. I am very pleased with this team right now. AAA shut me up and Bird even challenged my words a bit as well.
NastyNessy71 - January 12, 2012
Yeah, but 90 % of the time it's a drive or a 3
If he could work some Dirk-esqe moves into his system – look out!
KevinAwesome - January 12, 2012
Rudy´s passing has been there for a long time and it was already posted here:
http://www.denverstiffs.com/2011/12/14/2635090/all-about-rudy-fernandez
amlmart1 - January 12, 2012
It´s his handles what keeops him away of been unstoppable better.
amlmart1 - January 12, 2012
wow, It´s his handles what keeps him away of been unstoppable.
amlmart1 - January 12, 2012
I dogged on Rudy as well
Now I’m a fanboy.
Artimus Mangilord - January 12, 2012
Sorry for the tardy of games guys
two in total, but this game deserves a ROLL CALL!
CloudBurst - January 12, 2012
Yes! My first time on the list, and I left at halftime!
love4nuggets - January 12, 2012
First time i missed the list
Army of Nugs - January 12, 2012
Before reading this thread...and I still have not.
I was surprised to not have the word “boring” show up once.
I was at the game. Boring. Real boring.
I mean, Nugs played well and all, but pretty much boring. What we expected it to be (minus the manimal).
Goodnight,
Benz
roxintober - January 12, 2012
after losing to an injured NOLA team
I like the sound of a boring win.
InboundingLobPass - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Are the Nuggets Boring?
It seems like a disturbing trend is developing at Nuggets’ home games— lots of noticeable empty seats in the lower sections and very quiet, almost disinterested crowds. I know the Nuggs are lacking in star power, but this is a young, fun team to watch (for the most part). Denver has always been a fairly laid back basketball town, but I am really stumped on what the team needs to do to develop an OkC, Portland or Salt Lake feeling toward our beloved team. Part of this is on Karl— by holding public grudges with fan favorite players like JR and Manimal, the fans are rarely thrown some red meat to chomp on(Manimal style). You can’t argue with Karl’s winning record at home, but I would encourage him to put his stubborn disdain for young players, who may miss a defensive assignment or two, and make an effort to give the fans some Manimal. After all, part of the goal here is to entertain the fans.
ACEIII - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Bad weather, bad opponent.
Makes for an abysmal turnout in most cases.
love4nuggets - January 12, 2012
Football is still being played and all attn is on Tebow
I’m going to the game tomorrow and will do my best to pump up the crowd.
Pusherman - January 12, 2012
I attribute part of that winning home record to opponents sucking wind at altitude as we run them off the court
Artimus Mangilord - January 12, 2012
I have season tickets
Part of the problem as Andrew eluded to is price. Lower level tickets at regular price are about 30% to much. I got a GREAT deal. That’s the only reason I have tickets.
The U.N. Fab Five - January 12, 2012 via mobile
I'm glad for the win
And I get that Jersey hit an unreal number of threes, but, guess what? Denver also hit more threes than usual. And if the Nets had some hands in their faces on the perimeter, maybe Denver could have had the blowout they should have had.
I’m not convinced this team has what it takes to take on LeBron and Wade and Chalmers.
Fly Agaric - January 12, 2012
And good morning to you too!
SDcat09 - January 12, 2012
I am in agreeance
A few of NJ’s 3’s were stupid shots that miraculously went in. But quite a few others were just ridiculously wide open looks. There seems to be a problem with rotations.
I’m glad the Nuggets won, and had fun watching some of the nifty passes from Rudy, and Brewer was terrific, etc. But yeah, suffice it to say, the defense is going to have to be about 100x better tomorrow night if the Nugs are gonna make any kind of game out of it.
ParkHillNative - January 12, 2012
I watched Miami v Clippers last night
and the Clips won. Miami didn’t look very impressive at all IMO. But maybe the Clips are much better than we are. I dunno. I think we’ll be just fine.
SDcat09 - January 12, 2012
good point
The Heat are having a crappy road trip so far. They were on the 2nd of a b2b last night, fwiw. Here’s hoping they don’t get it together by Friday night.
ParkHillNative - January 12, 2012
Definitely start K2
Been saying this for a couple of games now.
And Brewer is without a doubt the guy the Nuggets want in there when Gallo is taking a breather. And he can play alongside Gallo, too, so far as I’m concerned. My only complaint with Brewer is that sometimes he isn’t as careful with the ball as he should be.
I echo the praise to Rudy. In defense of other Stiffs who were critical of him earlier, it is only recently that his all around game has emerged. Love his passing and court vision. And he’s making more threes, so I can’t gripe about that, either.
Fly Agaric - January 12, 2012
Mozgov didn't do bad.. coaches just dont trust k2
5baker5 - January 12, 2012
Why no minutes for Koufos?
skithebert - January 12, 2012
Good analogy with Brewer's "JR like" performance
Good JR of course, and 3-3 from 3 was icing, love his energy, hustle, and defense. Rudy has been an excellent surprise, did not know he was such a good combo guard and could pass so well, goes to show if you try to bottleneck a player into a role like Nate did with him in POR, you get only a one-dimensional player. Even when his shot wasn’t falling he found other ways to contribute, so now he is hitting, lookout, just hope he keeps looking for the open man instead of his shot first.
jd80229 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
why is it
that AAA’s twitter speaks in riddles?
Japheth:the.other.kind.of.asian. - January 12, 2012
My guess..
..is because AAA tells it to.
Ror J - January 12, 2012
Hey Denver Stiffs folk...
I know I don’t post here much at all, but over at SB Nation Denver I fixed the NBA!
All in good fun, uh, I wrote about UFC and those people do not find me amusing at all…
frightened inmate #2 - January 12, 2012
are you really an inmate?
Or just a primate.
InboundingLobPass - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Perhaps an in-your-prime mate?
love4nuggets - January 12, 2012
no i lost the part
i refused to get all the way nude.
frightened inmate #2 - January 12, 2012
FOLKS, PLEASE KEEP OFF TOPIC AND TALKING ABOUT OTHER GAMES OUT OF GAME RECAPS.
Thank you.
Nate Timmons - January 12, 2012
Just read that andre miller pretty much wants out..
5baker5 - January 12, 2012
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