The 10th game of the season was a stink bomb for the Nuggets, as they lost on their home floor to the now 3-6 Hornets, 94-81. And that's a New Orleans team that was missing Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza ... while the Nuggets had everyone in uniform (but not everyone really played).
So I wrote up some keys to the game tonight in my preview. Let's take a look at what I wrote versus what actually happened ...
-Nate said, "Step on the Bugs early! "
The Nuggets did ... not step on the Bugs early. The Hornets trailed after the first quarter 27-26 and then used a 28-19 second quarter to take a 54-46 lead into the locker room. Allowing a weakened team to gain confidence and think they are in the game, especially on the road, is never the recipe for success. Things only got worse in the third quarter as the Bugs outscored Denver 24-18 ... the game was decided in the second and third quarters where the Nuggets were beaten 52-37 - ouch!
-Nate said, "Don't be a doofus, play Kosta Koufos!"
The Nuggets did ... play Koufos to the tune of ... ... ... 10 minutes. The funny thing to me, George Karl might say his team needs to go small to get back into games, but it's also the small lineups that are giving up big leads to teams that are suddenly over-sized. Koufos (10 min), Chris Andersen (5 min), and Timofey Mozgov (11 min) combined for just 26 minutes on the evening. That's ridiculous as the Nuggets were out-rebounded 40-35 in this one and the team was in desperate need of some offensive boards, hard to get when only guards and forwards are on the court. And there were plenty of chances as the Nuggets shot just 40.8% on the night.
Also TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION: With Mozgov on the floor, Kaman was 2-5 from the field (4 points) and had a grand total of 0 rebounds. Against the rest of the Nuggets, Kaman finished 8-11 for 16 points with 7 rebounds (1 offensive). Does it make sense to anyone else that playing size-vs-size creates issues for other big men? A seven-footer taking shots over 6'9'' players and under is just like playing against your elementary school child at home, easy money. Rotating Mozgov and Koufos as NOLA rotated Emeka Okafor and Kaman would have been a nice idea.
-Nate said, "Be careful from downtown."
The Nuggets did ... a miserable job from deep in this one. After going 3-5 from downtown in the first quarter, the Nuggets went 5-18 from deep or 27% to finish 8-23 from deep or 34.8%. A memo for Andre Miller, after starting 2-2 from deep, you have gone 2-12 from downtown ... let's put away the long range shot, okay?
-Nate said, "Mr. ABA is ready. "
The Nuggets did ... play Corey Brewer for 8 total minutes. Meanwhile, Arron Afflalo (34 min) and Andre Miller (22 min) combined to shoot 2-13 from the field and Rudy Fernandez chalked up 27 minutes. Rudy had a pretty good night shooting the ball late, but with the energy so low in the second and third quarters, some different player combinations were being begged for by the poor play.
-Nate said, "We want Tacos!"
The Nuggets did ... not even sniff 90 points tonight. Rarely do the Nuggets look that inept at home. The least amount of points the Nuggets scored at The Can during the regular season last year? Interestingly enough, it was 87 points in a 96-87 loss to ... you guessed it, the New Orleans Hornets back on 1-9-11!!!!! Freaky, I bet 81 is the least amount Denver scores at home this season, too.
-Nate said, "Monitor Nene's minutes if he plays."
The Nuggets did ... not need to monitor Nene's minutes. The Big Brazilian looked pretty good moving around on the court in his new Dwight Howard Adidas kicks. Someone mentioned he was going to be wearing D12 shoes tonight, good catch! Nene was only 3-8 from the field, but he played with a lot of energy, especially early as he played 8 minutes in the first quarter and racked up 3 points, 6 rebounds (1 offensive), and a monster block. Hopefully that bruised heel is okay.
-Nate said, "Work the ball inside to Mozgov."
The Nuggets did ... get Mozgov involved a little early. Mozgov hit his first shot tonight as he was fed a nice ball inside from Nene for an easy dunk. He drew a foul a few possessions later and went 2-2 from the foul line. Moz had a turnover, dropped a tough bounce pass from Lawson (throw it up high to the big man!), and picked up 3 fouls in just 11 minutes. But as I pointed out, Kaman was just 2-5 against him and grabbed 0 rebounds ... Kaman vs. the rest of the Nuggets: 8-11 for 16 points and 7 rebounds. While Moz doesn't look like a great post player yet, he does affect other areas of the game.
-Nate said, "Defense will turn into offense."
Defense ... what defense? The Nuggets gave up 78 points through three quarters to a team that averages just 86.5 points per game before this contest. The Nuggets allowed the Bugs to shoot 52% from the field and that didn't translate into Denver being able to run and get quick transition buckets.
Overall thoughts: Denver does not look good when they get into half court games with a small lineup. We saw too many lineups that didn't feature a traditional power forward and center. It's very hard to work the ball inside when you have nothing but guys who are more comfortable on the perimeter. This was Al Harrington's first ineffective game and he played just 18 minutes going 1-4 from the field with 0 rebounds.
I do see that Karl is trying to get Danilo Gallinari, who had another nice shooting night going 6-12 from the field and scored a team high 15 points, comfortable with playing power forward. The ideal crunch time lineup for the Nuggets features Lawson, Miller, Afflalo, Gallo, and Nene ... can that unit get comfortable in their roles? Can that lineup rebound and defend enough to win close games? Karl is trying to figure that out. I just wish with all the tinkering that Karl would put some trust in Kenneth Faried and see if he can become a better player during games than perhaps he has shown in practice. Some guys just shine more under the bright lights.
The Nuggets sure didn't shine tonight and this is one of those losses that comes back to bite you when your team is jockeying for playoff positioning. Bit by the Bugs in Denver ...
Nate_Timmons on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Nate_Timmons
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0 recs | 122 comments
Great recap.
That game was painful to watch. Can’t afford to lose games like these at home.
Here’s to hoping the Nuggets can get back on track against the Nets.
NuggetsFan99 - January 9, 2012
Stiffs console me!!
I need some positives…I am absolutely stunned, this is equivalent to Tebow winning in NE in my eyes.
I guess all I am happy about is Rudy played decently and Ty wasn’t injured badly, but that’s it.
Plz thump the Nets and go streaking soon. I know this is knee jerk, but I did not see the Nuggets playing tonight. I saw something that resembled the Charlotte Bobcats or Timberwolves…god damn what was that.
I guess you can’t be in it mentally every day, but this was a HUGE mental letdown it’s as if they just assumed the game would be handed to them…reminds me of the Melo/AI nuggets.
Hopefully this is the medicine they needed to make sure they never take any team lightly again.
JR15 - January 9, 2012
we'll be aight
TyLawesome - January 9, 2012
The short starts have been a problem
and before tonight they found ways to come back and win or make it a game in the second half. I think you have to credit the Hornets. They forced the Nuggets into a half court game and the Nuggets fell into that trap. Nuggets didn’t force the issue tonight and they let the Hornets dictate the game.
I hope it’s only a speed bump in the road. This is the NBA, if your team is not ready to play, the other team can get some confidence and get on a roll.
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 9, 2012
remember how pheonix blew out the blazers who were the hottest team in the league
it’s hard to stay mentally tough.Even the loss to SA, the team was mentally in it and pumped a lot of juice. this is the aftermath from that. I see a bounce back wednesday and going into the future
TyLawesome - January 9, 2012
Ugggghhhh
Good recap. The team is in a funk like Bootsie Collins. As fans we can bitch and moan, and post on our site. But we control nothing.
Our Nuggets are better than this, we know it. The coaches and the players will reevaluate and adjust. Let’s get the right guys in there at the right time.
Nuggburg - January 9, 2012 via mobile
"no Juice in the Building"?
Play Manimal and keep Brewer in !!!!!!!!!
GK,=STIFF!!!!!!!! last night
Clompy - January 10, 2012
What can anyone say?
It was a bad game and I’m sore I had to be there in person to see it. They looked hungover and spent. As bad as I’ve seen ’em play in a while.
This makes the Blazers’ 20-point loss to the Suns look way more palatable.
Dunno what more to say. These bad games happen sometimes. Even the best teams in history have bad nights. Still doesn’t make it any easier to swallow, especially with all the ink spilled praising this team’s excellent start. A two-game losing skid, though, is going to go a long way in tempering expectations.
Commence panicking!
Fly Agaric - January 9, 2012
I will not panic. You can't make me
SDcat09 - January 9, 2012
Game over, man
Game over.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
i gotta say
that better this happen now than later. almost every team has gotten blown out this year (including very good teams like the blazers and chicago). while i think GK’s rotations are the dumbest thing since jersey shore, i’m personally hoping batman is in his cave to shorten the rotation and bring in some more players that can contribute more than the aging bird. here’s hoping that he screws someone in desperate need of a big (read: the clippers) out of a good draft pick or someone who can actually play defense without leaving his feet every time down the floor. and after the last two games, i’m starting to feel as if miller may coast through this season, then try to sign with a contender. wouldn’t mind shipping him off to someone who wants cap space this summer. need to free up space for k2 and faried to get minutes. also wouldn’t mind seeing carroll get some more burn. all in all, a bad loss but motivation for the next few games against the piss poor nets and bron bron and the heat
swmrkev - January 9, 2012
miller trade
would also make the 2 pg lineup next to impossible. while i really like andre, he doesn’t fit in with the direction of the team. someone needs to get season tickets right behind karl and yell at him to put in k2 and faried and use our depth or this season might be marred with more games like this.
swmrkev - January 9, 2012
Comment of the day
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
From what I saw, wasn't NO playing a lot with the two PG line-up as well?
The kid with long hair and Jack were in for long stretches in the 3rd and 4th. The difference, of course, was the also had Kaman/Okafor/Landry in and they were doing work.
The small line-up only works when it is high energy….and the Nugs had no energy last night.
Pusherman - January 10, 2012
The two pg lineup isn't the problem
most nights. Last night it was part of it because Miller was so bad. The problem is the three and four guard lineups. When you have Gallo trying to guard Kaman and Okafor, it just doesn’t work.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
What the Hell GK?
This man is just too stubborn to ever be a great coach. “They kind of bullied us in the paint”…ya think? What do you expect when you call on Gallo to defend Okafer and Landry and Harrington to defend Kaman. K2 was the whole reason we won the game and he can’t get into the game until we are getting our butts handed to us. Mosgov plays well in the paint early and can’t get back in the game. Our main issues tonight were defensive and rebounding and we can’t get Faried into the game. Nene needs to man up and start playing like a 6-10 guy and is there a way that he can post up instead of fading away…Hey, how about call some plays instead of have a bunch of players just trying to drive into a packed lane. This is all about coaching and GK failed tonight….If we are going to better than a one and done team Karl has to understand small ball is only good in spurts. The worst thing that happened to the team was success against the Spurs with the small lineup. Karl fails to realize the reason we were successful is because the Spurs are also small! You can’t play small ball against tough inside guys like Kaman, Okafer and Landry…get a clue Karl. K2 has showed me a lot and according to Karl’s words he has shown him a lot too…..give these guys a chance…..I bet K2, Mosgov and Faried will surprise you…if not one and done…..
Bigdorph - January 10, 2012
i'm pretty sure g.k. hears "our overwhelming strength is our depth at all positions"
and hears, “really? awesome. i can play 4 guards at a time as much as i want then since i simply can not relate to the impact big’s have on a game having never coached a dominant one”
(unless you count kemp which i don’t)
i’m beginning to miss adrian dantley’s influence on the involvement of the bigs
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 10, 2012
AD
I miss him like I miss my x wife – on the other hand, we now have super coach ryan bowen on the bench…
hungryhead - January 10, 2012
i didn't miss him as a head coach
but he was invaluable as a teacher of post players and i suspect, instrumental in their seeing fair minutes.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 10, 2012
This
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Oh and no Brewer?
or for only a few minutes…What I don’t understand is Karl just doesnt reward anyone for playing well,, he just plays his favorites. Miller clearly sucked tonight yet Brewer still cant get into the game hardly. K2 has played great and can barely get into the game and Bird even comes into the game before him after sucking for the last 2 years. Faried plays great in practice from what the writers, coaches and players say,yet can’t get rewarded in garbage time. Gives JR a lot of credence when it comes to his frustrations. START FIREGEORGEKARL.com again if this continues. We have the right players on this team, but Karl will not play them nor will he make any adjustments when faced with a packed down zone defense. I know we havent a lot of practice time but a play maybe….IMO Nene should stop playing as much C as he is especially if he has Harrington and Gallo playing next to him. Of course they will shoot 53% if they can just post us up and force the double team and swing to the open man. Pathetic. Bird should never play and Harrington should only be in with Mosgov or Koufous…Get a clue Karl
Bigdorph - January 10, 2012
Should have stayed home and watched the BCS
One ugly game last night….why is AAA getting so much playing time….why isn’t Brewer getting more burn….and please GK, play Manimal. We desperately needed the energy and both Brewer and Manimal should have gotten some of AAA, Bird and Miller’s minutes. I’ve been a loyal GK supporter, but don’t understand his rotations, maybe It Is Time for a change.
kromag - January 10, 2012
Just a bad, bad game
Really bad loss for the Nuggs. There needs to be some bounce-back, but unfortunately our next opponent is Miami. Just when you think the Nuggs look so good (and briefly hold the #1 spot in the conference), a few days later they’re #7 and on the brink of going a rather pedestrian 6-5 to start the season. Man up, Denver.
neumdaddy - January 10, 2012
Wait
I think the Nets are next, then Miami.
ParkHillNative - January 10, 2012 via mobile
My bad; you're right
Miami game is Friday.
Okay, gotta bump things back up to 7-4 in the meantime…
neumdaddy - January 10, 2012
YEAH! Neñe resigned! I'm sure excited to him get minutes at PF alongside Mozgov at C
…what’s that? Our coach won’t ever play that lineup? You think he wishes the team was comprised of the lollypop guild? I don’t understand George not wanting to pound the rock inside with our now huge frontcourt. In the past we could point to a lack of height as a reason for shortcomings in various areas of the game. Now that we can no longer do that we really have to question either the skill of our players or the willingness of our coach to play a more traditional basketball lineup. George, we get it, you’ve been forced in the past to play lineups to coverup players ineptitudes to the point where you pretty good at, a svengali of sorts. However now is the time to say if it looks like a duck, and quacks like duck then it’s probably two young 7 foot centers ready allow traditional basketball to be played on a regular basis at Pepsi Center. Nene needs to exploit mismatches at PF. Period.
PS: play Faried
InboundingLobPass - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Team looked
out of energy last night. I wonder why their high flying, high energy rookie didn’t play? I mean down double digits in the 3rd and 4th qtr, what do you have to lose Karl???? Play the rook!
NewEraNugg - January 10, 2012
Exactly
I was at the game and it put me to sleep while I watched the low energy nugz. I have no idea why he wouldn’t insert the Manimal to provide some energy (which is what we desperately needed). I wish we had JR during this game.
hungryhead - January 10, 2012
I missed the game fortunately
but this is my view. Having a terrible, inexcusable loss like this sucks…but it sucks even more when it sounds like it was the result of a very flat team, and yet none of the young bucks/energy guys on the bench were given a shot. This is the NBA, the home of “phone it in” midweek games…the answer is to sit the guys who didn’t bring it that day and let the kids play. I’m not a Karl hater (anymore) but last night’s coaching makes no sense.
Teekalong - January 10, 2012
Wash your clothes today Nuggets..
Cause they stink. The was one ugly game yesterday. Made Kaman and Landry look like all-stars. New Orleans did a good job of making the Nuggets play half court. We all know it is a weakness. GK admitted that offense wasn’t a priority during the shortened training camp.
Just need to hope it will get better. A reality check last night. The NBA hit back at the Nuggets. Now we see how the Nuggets respond.
djyoung71 - January 10, 2012
how important is AL?
If he doesn’t provide high energy and good minutes every single night we might be in big trouble.
hungryhead - January 10, 2012
Excellent point. He’s filling in a duel role for the Nuggets. He’s the first “big” man off the bench at 6’8’’ or 6’9’’ as he often checks in for Mozgov around the 5 minute mark or so and he’s also expected to provide the scoring pop of the bench as Miller and Fernandez have been a bit inconsistent (Miller just last game, everyone is entitled to one stinker).
The Nuggets have even leaned on Big Al to be the best all around player some nights … he needs some help from his teammates! Lawson and Gallo have been stepping up all season long too … glad to see Gallo’s shooting touch coming back around.
Nate Timmons - January 10, 2012
There are not a lot of teams, if any … maybe OKC with Eric Maynor … that rely on their backup point guard as much as Denver does. Miller is in the game 28+ minutes a night and expected, I guess, to be a scoring threat and facilitator. It’s weird to see him and Lawson out there so much as they both should not be expected to score a ton and get their teammates involved. Do we really need two guys to get three involved on offense?
Nate Timmons - January 10, 2012
Part of that is AAA
being so bad. Rusty or whatever. They really only have four guards, and Miller has been much better than AAA and Rudy.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
In contrast to the game
good write up. Covered all the bases. Numerous players had off games and they weren’t able to overcome the traditional atrocious coaching from Karl. Got to hope they can bounce back tomorrow.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Thanks. A frustrating one to watch …
Nate Timmons - January 10, 2012
Agree on the write-up
Giving you a mark today, Throw. Not GK’s best game.Way too stubborn. Let the lead get out of reach and didn’t call a time out to stop the bleeding. I’m most concerned that he left the soul of our team, Ty Lawson, in the game in garbage time when he was hurt. What??!! As Kamen/Riff Raff (grow the hair long again Chris!) was tearing us to pieces, I thought back at all the times he has been a Nugget killer.
Having said all that, not sure any line-up would have done any good. This is the 2nd time in a row we have come out with no defensive intensity. So…the positive trend on the Nuggets is officially over and now they are locked in this back and forth battle with the tight schedule. This was a total stinking dog that we have to forget, but the lack of effort is unforgettable and am not sure it’s unforgiveable. And last, congrats to the Hornets for outplaying, outshooting, outcoaching, outdefending us and totally kicking our butts.
Plea for Intelligence - January 10, 2012
3rd time in a row...actually
Their D sucked in the first quarter of the first game against NO as well. Remember, they scored over 30 in that first quarter.
Pusherman - January 10, 2012
The announcers used the "soft" word
to describe the team on defense during the spurs game.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Was that the Spurs announcers?
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
No, our announcers
too many euro style players. Probably doesn’t help that guys just returned from playing in europe.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
yeah but
2 of those euros are the big men you’re begging GK to play. So if they are not soft, perhaps Moz is a little, then the finger is getting pointed at Gallo and Rudy. Gallo has been soft lately. Rudy? He’s so skinny will he ever play “tough?”
Plea for Intelligence - January 10, 2012
and Nene
also tends to be euro style. Lawson just got back from there and has had some struggles on defense. Only two players, AAA and Brewer, are really know for defense.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
nene
does wrestle around a lot with other bigs, but he’s undersized for the center position that he plays and tends to get lost, as in MIA, cause he’s not asserting himself. sweet dime to moz last night tho. I’m a Lawson fan. Think he plays tough and leads the league in steals. Do you think Cory Brewer will get pushed around?
Plea for Intelligence - January 10, 2012
Brewer
it depends on where they play him. As skinny as he is, he’s more of a long 2 than a 3. That means Karl will play him at four.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Lol
love4nuggets - January 10, 2012
A low energy game...moving on.
Pusherman - January 10, 2012
This
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
Squeaky Johnson
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Come on, StiffS
I know you can panic better than this.
Fly Agaric - January 10, 2012
Oh give it one more game.
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
The Nuggets could play like they played last night
And still beat the Nets.
That said, I’m pretty sure the Heat are going to squash any talk of Denver being an elite team on Friday if the Nugs haven’t found a way out of the malaise they find themselves in.
Fly Agaric - January 10, 2012
The panic came days ago
this game was merely an unsurprising flaming bag of poop.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Do we have enough games
for some Chantech style projections? I think we do.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
I don't think so man.
One big scoring night still pushing things all out of wack. We’ll see how Chantech wants to weigh in though … think he said he needed a month at least?
Nate Timmons - January 10, 2012
Roundball has the new projected Pythag up:
Pythagorean Record 7.0 – 3.0
Projected Pyth Rec
(82 Gms) 57.2 – 24.8
Projected Pyth Rec
(66 Gms) 46.1 – 19.9
Colin Neilson - January 10, 2012
It is the Chantech Lockout
I hope we don’t have to wait until February for his system.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
This team is
good/average, but can be taken out of it’s game. I’m worried that when they don’t run or have energy, they’ll struggle to score seeing how they don’t have anyone that can create their own shot. Was excited to see them start hot, now how do they play when others teams have adjusted?
NewEraNugg - January 10, 2012
nail on the head
This is how I see things at the moment.
As a long time Nuggets fan, I am only getting more and more frustrated every year with the whole strategy of “We’re used to the altitude and our opponents aren’t! They’ll come in here tired, and we’ll run them out of the building!” That produces a lot of blowout wins at home, but that’s fool’s gold. Year after year, we keep seeing a home winning percentage of 75% and higher, and a road winning percentage below 50%, and then a first round playoff exit. The run-run-run strategy is not a blueprint for success in the playoffs.
Once this team can start defending well on a consistent basis, and generate good shots in a half court offense, and win more road games than they lose, that’s when I’ll get my hopes up. For now, yeah, they’re good/average. Lots of fun to watch on the nights when everything is clicking.
ParkHillNative - January 10, 2012
at NOH was the 1st game the other team pIayed tough defense, and this team struggIed to score that game.
in other games we have been abIe to get steaIs and run, and drive on the Iine. the Iakers did a bad job of guarding the paint, their rotations were bad so guys were abIe to get in and not have the Iakers Iength affect them too much.
anyways, do you reaIIy see this team running a haIf court offense, it’s been Iike how many facking seasons and we stiII dont have any haIf court sets. defense takes effort, which they might be abIe to do, but unIess they are getting steaIs to run, offense is goin to struggIe. and defensive rebs are goin to probabIy be a huge probIem for this team again.
Rys - January 10, 2012
Bad loss. Wash it off and move on.
6th game in 9 nights. This was more of a trap game than the game versus the Hornets in NO. Nuggets really pushed hard to try and get one in San Antonio, failed, and looked very beat for tonight.
I expect a few clunkers at home like this each season, every team has them. I would have preferred it happen against stronger competition than the Hornets, but what can you do? Denver needs to keep its strong home record for playoff seeding and I am confident they will.
In any case, the team looked totally lifeless. No energy, no breaks, bad passing, bad shooting, poor defense. That is not the Nuggets team I watched the first 9 games and I suspect it truly was an energy issue.
That said, I am fully confident the Nugs are going to crush the Nets at home on Wednesday. If we lose to the Nets, then that is a big cause for concern.
Nice to finally see the 3p shooting starting to pick up, though.
Colin Neilson - January 10, 2012
Great perspective!
Nate Timmons - January 10, 2012
agree Nate, BeefySwats has it down
Loss felt bad but, if you looked at our schedule before season started and had to decide what our record would be after 10 games, best prediction was 6 – 4. Well, we’re 6 – 4.
Am I happy? Not by a long shot but we’ve only won one game not expected to win (road to Mavs) and lost one game not expected to lose (yesterday).
My 2 questions are where’s our defense and where have our assists gone?
sgiustra - January 10, 2012
This is why I come to DS
Some nice comments that keep the big picture in perspective. I can only really feel better if the Nugz thump the Nets and beat Miami, which is plausible if the players come to play.
JR15 - January 10, 2012
Miami is beatable
especially if Wade is still out. I think Eastern Conference teams may be saving the zone for the playoffs. I say play as big as you can and play zone the entire game. I saw a stat a few games ago that Wade, Lebron, and Bosh had each only attempted one three for the year. Might have a couple more now, but the key is to pack the lane and force them into jumpers. Sounds familiar for some reason, I can’t put my finger on it…
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Rebounding
I posted about this in the Stiff List, but I am SICK OF WATCHING TAP OUTS on rebounds! Hess needs to run a Survivor-esque drill where the first big to drop both arms after holding them up continuously runs wind sprints till he vomits.
Nene can get away with it because he is fairly good at tapping the ball out on the offensive end to our team, but watching Harrington and Mozgov do it on the DEFENSIVE end is just maddening.
SECURE the boards, guys! BOTH HANDS ON THE BALL! Defense doesn’t stop until you have possession. It was like the entire team just expected Ty or Dre to corral the board last night no matter where the tap went.
Colin Neilson - January 10, 2012
I have never been as emotionally invested in the Nuggets as I have this year
They are honestly an enigma, because they are very young, but are competing at a high level. They also have players who buy into the system and that’s what championship teams are made of. Even when Chauncey was here, I thought he was a bandaid to a Thugget culture. These Nuggets remind me of a quality character group that is also talented (hard to find both).
Normally, I would wave off yesterday’s loss as a bad game, but I just expect the Nuggets to compete hard every night. I think yesterday showed me they are human just like all of us, but they still should be fine in the future.
Ps, gallo needs to take those sheets he advertises for and make sure everyone on the team gets them when they play bad teams (I think they really underestimated the Hornets yesterday…maybe from all that #3 in the league talk, but I am hoping that is a walk up call and these guys can play to their Spurs-like potential).
JR15 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Same
I have high expectations for this year’s team, but losses like these are tempering them. I really feel like this is a truly different team than any in the 2000-era. The only player on the team left from those years is, ironically, Dre.
The Nuggets are a team of hard workers but they are still figuring out exactly what their new team’s identity is. They play fast and they play hard defense, and if they go with that as their ID, they will be successful for a long time. Players will round into form as the season progresses, and I would expect that games like this are aberrations.
I would be extremely disappointed if we see another “effort” like this one, ESPECIALLY against a struggling team like New Orleans, later in the year.
Losses at home don’t bother me as much as when I know the Nuggets are playing tough and fighting. Tonight, they played the first game of selfish basketball I have seen out of this team and were not anywhere close to the effort they needed to win.
Colin Neilson - January 10, 2012
Pretty sure Nene was on those teams
And Bird was around.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Ahhh yeah Nene too
But not sure anyone else was. I thought Bird had left the Nuggets by the time Melo got here, looks like he left in 04.
Colin Neilson - January 10, 2012
Every team needs a wake up call like this
lets just hope that this was the ONLY one.IF IT WAS, we better thank the basketball gods that we got it out of the way early.
Mancar - January 10, 2012
My Case for The Manimal
In games like last night, where the players and fans have little energy (Tebow effect?), Karl needs to put his rookie bias aside and give The Manimal some run. Bounce is an injection of instant energy to his team an the home crowd, and last night was the perfect night to see if he could light a fire under a very flat home team. To me, this is where the Nugga miss JR and the formerly high flying Birdman the most – a guys off the bench who can give you a special play to change momentum. All signs point to Faried being this type of player too. C’mon George, drop your ego and turn The Manimal loose in these types of games.
ACEIII - January 10, 2012 via mobile
By The Way
This is why Popovic is so good. He is not afraid to sit his regulars down if they don’t bring it. He will go 13 deep if the regular rotation is smelling up the building.
ACEIII - January 10, 2012 via mobile
He also sits vets for games at a time and lets the younger guys figure it out
I have always liked that. Pays off come PO time.
Pusherman - January 10, 2012
GK must secretly think he is a genius.
I HATE how he comes out and tells us how many games we AIM to win in a month. FREAKING MORON YOU PLAY TO WIN EVERY GAME!!! WITHOUT THAT TYPE OF MENTALITY I CAN SEE WHY WE ARE PERENNIAL PLAYOFF FODDER.
Mancar - January 10, 2012
Don't confuse
the idea of be prepared for some measure of acceptable losses with an unwillingness or lack of desire to win. I highly doubt George is not preparing the team to win every game and nor is the team not trying to win every game. Some days you just don’t have what it takes to beat the opponent.
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
Great Teams don't play down to their competition
Mancar - January 10, 2012
I don't think anyone thinks the Nuggets are a great team...yet.
IMO, during the course of an 88 or 66 game season there is way humanly possible for all players and coaches to be up for each and every game much less each and every play. You’re going to have some mental, physical and emotional lapses. Last night it just so happened that NO one was ready to play full out.
I’ll be worried if that trend continues, but for one game…I’m not .
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
*is no way humanly possible
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
This factor is why Jordan retired twice
mental fatigue. Either that of Stern forced him the first time because he was gambling on games.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Not sure how to interpret this comment....
Are you being sarcastic about the mental factor or what?
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
Sarchasm was not on
I agree with you. Even those great Jordan teams had some off nights. Also, there is a conspiracy theory that stern forced Jordan into the first retirement.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Jordan's father was murdered before his first retirement
That would be enough to shake anyone
Pusherman - January 10, 2012
True however...
Mentality is also evident in the scheme which is put together during a game. However you also have to prepare during the course of the game throughout the game. A mentality has to be built before during and after a game. His looking at the schedule and picking wins and losses doesn’t fully put focus into the heart of one game.
Mancar - January 10, 2012
zzz what he reaIIy is sayin is Iets Iower expectations so when this team does bIow it, which is IikeIy, then i dont have to take any responsibiIity because I pre excused myseIf.
Rys - January 10, 2012
First Post
This is my first post.. been reading for a while now and finally decided to join.
Good post-game write up Nate! But wow talk about ZERO energy last night.. I agree with JR15 I thought these bad losses left with Melo but hopefully it’s a wake up call and we pound the Nets!
Ror J - January 10, 2012 via Android app
welcome aboard
ParkHillNative - January 10, 2012
Thanks ParkHill
I know it sucks losing but at least this year with the almost baseball-like schedule we won’t have the bad taste in our mouths long..especially with this Nugs team. I see very few b2b losses, although that’s what just happened
Ror J - January 10, 2012 via Android app
Welcome and remember
all opinions are welcome, as long as you agree with Nate.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Thanks
Nate seem to really know what he’s talking about so it shouldn’t be too hard.
Although I do have to say I love all of GK wacky line ups…heck last night I think I saw 4 guards (Ty, Andre, AAA, Rudy) and Moz on the floor at one time. While it wasn’t effective in the least bit I think it’s just one guard away from really doing some things.
Haha obviously (or maybe not as this is my first time on here) I’m joking. It blows my mind how Karl can compline about being undersized and now we finally have bigs, a lot of bigs, and he plays Al at C
Ror J - January 10, 2012 via Android app
*complain
Ror J - January 10, 2012 via Android app
Thanks Ror J and welcome to the posting side of Denver Stiffs my friend!
Nate Timmons - January 10, 2012
Glad to be here!
Ror J - January 10, 2012 via Android app
Okay NOW we can all panic
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
this
will be a really serious problem. Significant stretches of Fernandez at the one???
Teekalong - January 10, 2012
Well Rudy did play well last night...SSS? Yes, but it gives me some tiny sliver of hope
that he’s not a complete waste of roster space
SDcat09 - January 10, 2012
he is an accomplished flopper
so his skill is better than what Reggie Evans used to do.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Evans could rebound..
..absolutely nothing else but dude crashed the boards. Something these Nugs need to do a whole lot better.
Ror J - January 10, 2012 via Android app
I was referring to Evans
Grabbing other players family jewels.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
I don't think he's a bad player
he’s a pretty nice bench piece, assuming he starts shooting better. He has a nice floor game. But he’s not a PG.
Teekalong - January 10, 2012
Might we see Julyan Stone called up?????? I hope so!
Nate Timmons - January 10, 2012
I don't think Ujiri would do this
The one positive if Lawson is out is it might force G.K. to only play two guards at a time.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
GK would not play Stone much even with his 2 PG love
He doesn’t trust rookies that aren’t from North Carolina.
If Lawson is out, I think it would be wise to call up Stone.
JR15 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
If Lawson is out I expect Stone to be called up.
Would he play … probably not much, but Denver would need to put another body on the active roster. I don’t think Ty will miss much time though either.
Nate Timmons - January 10, 2012
Do we really think Stone will get the call?
I have to assume there are some street free agents with experience who would be more likely, unless Stone really is some sort of crazy diamond in the rough that is ready to play now, which seems unlikely. I bet some random vet would get a 10 day contract.
Teekalong - January 10, 2012
My guess would be a call up
will only happen if someone is going to be out for an extended amount of time. I can’t see them calling up a guy for one or two games. Even if they called him up today, would he be usable tomorrow?
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
On the other had
George would probably start Stone, so he could keep the rest of his rotation intact. :-/
jbmmlang - January 10, 2012
Genius
I hadn’t thought of this. You, are of course, correct. Any other insites into the mind of George? I think we need to get Nate or Jeff an interview with him soon. Ask him the questions that we all want to ask.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 10, 2012
Hopefully Not!
I would love to see Stone too but let’s face it he wouldn’t sniff the floor. I think the D-League will do him and Hamilton a lot of good by getting playing time. Almost wish we could send Manimal down too because him sitting on the bench isn’t making him better.
As for Lawson, he looked great after he came back so I think he’ll be alright.
Ror J - January 10, 2012 via Android app
look for Faried to replace Andersen soon....
just sayin
JBnuggs - January 10, 2012
Too many Europeans
Nuggets is not NBAish enough, there are too many players taught to player slower, less athletic, more collective game build on combinations and constant help from partners.
Mozgov said in interview to Russian TV in summer that he is only adapting to this style (one season was not enough).
Denver big guys are not so big in fact. Everyone talk about height but check their weight – Mozgov, Nene, Galinary and Fernandes are pretty light guys compared to their counterparts from States. Mozgov weights like power forward (and plays currently like one, bad one) and Galo with height good enough to be a center weights like guys 3-5 inches smaller then him. Fernandes with height 6-6 weights like an ordinary 5-11 guy.
And Nene is not much better then they.
Sure they all got skills but they need bad guys like Harrington and Andersen to protect them from opposite team. And then when those two fail what else Karl can do but to play small set up?
Moskovite - January 10, 2012
nah Moskovite
the reason why the Wizards lose is that they have too many Americans
sgiustra - January 10, 2012
Mosko
thanks for joining in but IMO the exact opposite of what you write is closer to reality
Moz is a bigger than avg center. Nene is a big power forward. Gallo is a big small forward AAA is a big shooting guard Ty is small but one of the toughest players on the team Dre is a minor beast Big Al has the muscularity of LeBRon resembling a defensive end Rudy is kind of slight but pretty tall for position
We’re just darn big
But you may have stumbled into something. Karl like us when we tend small and thats one of his weaknesses
sgiustra - January 10, 2012
They are tall not big
Kaman and Okafor are a real big man. Also Boozer, Amar’e Stoudemire, DeJuan Blair, Kendrick Perkins, Bynum are and so on. Denner “bigs” are just “talls”. Height alone does not metter.
PS: Gee am I the only one so old here to remember how it all has started from Manute Ball 7-7 200 lbs?
Moskovite - January 11, 2012
Partly true Mosko
But Nene has some meat, Gallo has more than enough bulk for a small forward as does Moz for a Center.
The Nuggets lapses on defensive rebounds are due to technique not lack of bulk
Hey, look at what Kevin Love has done. Lost weight, still the best rebounder in the NBA
The players you reference are an odd, mismatched assortment. In basketball, its about height, in football its about bulk.
Look, frankly ouir coach doesnt even seem to like height that much, much less does he like bulk so look for lineups that feature 5 guards at a Pepsi Center near you
Hey Mosko, thanks for offering intriguing thoughts. Keep it up.
sgiustra - January 11, 2012
I'm not following games so closelly so I stop persisting.
But I can only partly accept this: “In basketball, its about height”.
Charls Barkley was 6-6 power forward (though 252 lbs – more than Mozgov, Nene and much more then Galo), Jordan was also 6-6 sg/sf – pretty small, Spud Webb 5-7 – won slam dunk contest. Athleticism is equally important in the game as well.
Moskovite - January 11, 2012
we are currently 6th
in hollinger’s power ratings.
1. 76ers
2. heat
3. bulls
4. blazers
5. hawks
6. nuggets
still fairly early in the season and the two blowouts in the beginning of the year helped. no reason why this can’t go up as some of these teams (namely, the 76ers, blazers and hawks) regress towards the mean. (knock on wood that last night was not an example of the nuggets regressing towards the mean)
swmrkev - January 10, 2012
and still have the best point differential in the west. just sayin...
swmrkev - January 10, 2012
Yep
Hey, we’re good. I think there are 2 great teams (Heat and Bulls) a very very good team (Thunder) we’re in the next group of good, dangerous teams
Know something? I’ll take it.
sgiustra - January 10, 2012
IMO
we lost because our current best player, Gallo was misused
Karl played him too long at game start. Gallo played well but was probably shot from spurs game, travel and being overused in 1st half or quarter. In 2nd half Gallo was not himself and just hung around outside area.
Karl does OK with getting bench their minutes but he has to consider what our stars (yes we have stars) require to play their best esp with little rest between games
sgiustra - January 10, 2012
Im hoping they show alot of emotion tomorrow night... really need it
5baker5 - January 10, 2012
OT: Denver University vs Colorado State University. Wednesday @ 7 pm.
Should be a good game and another Ram victory…Tim Miles is billing a nice program in Fort Collins.
Actually all the Colorado Schools are going well.
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 11, 2012
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