Atlanta played without Bogdanovic, who scored 8 three-pointers for us last season in Atlanta, Jalen Johnson also did not play. After that defeat, Atlanta lost 4 out of 5 games, and what is the schedule in the next 15 games, they will win a maximum of 5 games. They are already below 500 and against Denver they were above 500.
Same Gm, Same Head Coach, Same Players, in Russ starts(5-1) the team wins 80% of their games, in all the non-Russ starts the team wins 50% of their games. I think part of it is the pace, energy, defense, and play making he adds at the start of those games, plus his ability to get guys(including Jokic, easy shots around the basket) That's why i don't advocate trading MPJ. In those Russ starts MPJ got into a good rhythm and he was far more active, including attacking the offensive glass for putback dunks. Before i made any major trade(meaning MPJ) i would go 12-15 games with: Jokic, Gordon, MPJ, Murray, and Russ in the starting lineup to see if that gives the team a spark. Use CB as a super sub(30+ mins) and using staggered minutes, use: Jordan, Gordon, Watson, CB, and Murray as the reserve unit. When Murray and Gordon sit and CB comes in, you are running a five of: Jokic, MPJ, Watson, CB, and Russ. The fill in players are: Strawther and Tyson.... Saric and Nnaji need to be moved even if it means adding 2nd rd picks to get it done. One more serviceable vet would really help. Maybe waive Pinkett to create a roster spot and sign someone like: Robert Covington, Lonnie Walker, Justin Joliday, or a similar vet wing.... I'm not sure if they would do it but Nic Batum from The Clippers would be a nice veteran to add via trade. I think the team is mostly fine and just need a spark to start games.
I agree.. I like how MPJ was playing .. it feels like joker was dominating as a solo no one else really was chipping in.. then when Murray went out n Russ stepped up.. MPJ I thought was stepping up.. he literally was averaging more than Murray n he was more active defensively and crashing the boards n getting runs at the basket.. but I feel like joker been sacrificing his game to get Murray going n now Murray is picking it up which naturally slides MPJ back as gordan has returned too… which is another mouth to feed .. I feel like nuggets make an effort to get MPJ n AG going in the first 2 quarters Russ Braun strawther and Watson fillng in the blanks.. joker can get his when he decides n Murray is being tailored to close … I loved Murray basically ignoring joker on that last shot to get into OT.. that’s what this team needs .. I just think they need more healthy reps.. I like that we can win in different ways.. we not dominating full games but we do kinda dominate in the clutch
Jokic had made a statement that I had made earlier in the game. They do not have the HUNGER they need to be real contenders. And the way MPJ looked, he looks very full as hell out there just moping around, getting blown by on every drive. Embarrassing for him I'm glad Coach took him out. That's what I was calling for. I'm soo disappointed i really though we could be a Dynasty but the only player that's getting better is Jokic. The other guys have either stepped backwards or even keal
Not only that, Jokic's defense looks bad because he doesn't come out on the player who passed his guard precisely because MPJ needs to get under his hoop, Jokic goes out to block the opposing player. This was best seen in the second game with the Clippers, when the Clippers' wings entered behind the back and scored from that dunker spot. CB has also played bad defense in the last 8 games, and its offense has dropped significantly to.
I think MPJ is done as a Nugget...whether he's traded soon or in the off-season. It's partly his own doing and partly, I think, how the team is made up and who the coach and favored players are. I don't blame Malone for taking him out last night...he was passing up good looks and his defense was awful...he's not a good defender to begin with...but he got burned on several plays that were purely effort stuff. I think part of it's probably the trade talk getting into his head, but I also think part of it coincides with Murray coming back. When Murray is bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offense MPJ can almost become an afterthought. I think deep down MPJ probably resents the fact he's the big trade bargaining chip and has a semi-regular rental in Malone's dog house when Murray is allowed to come into the past few seasons badly out of shape and is allowed to play through everything. Blackburn here is saying he doesn't have a problem with Malone sitting him...and I don't either. But how would he feel if Malone benched Murray in a similar fashion? And how would Murray react? The common rebuttal would be that ultimately Murray is more important to the Nuggets...and that's true...but it still has to be grating to have a coach who'll constantly sit your ass without hesitation, but when his golden child is out there stinking up the joint, he can't even bring himself to ever even criticize him after games....if Murray is doing something obviously awful, even then Malone will group him in with other players to criticize as to not single him out. I'm sure that gets old. But ultimately, MPJ has to be the one to assert himself....no one is going to do it for him.
We need to be very careful letting a lame duck GM make a massive trade, considering its a GM that is likely not here next year. I dont think the players nor the coach love him...and Josh Kronke clearly doesn't or Booth would have an extension by now wouldn't he???
They are sooooo frustrating to watch right now. Look great at times but the discipline and effort isn't there alot of times. Hope they pull it together soon or Junior is definitely getting dealt for sure. Was listening to a bulls podcast this am. They seem excited to get Junior but taking Zeke seems to be the hangup😂 cant say i blame em. Getting rid of him is the best part of that Lavine trade
In the NBA - Oct, Nov, Dec are your "feeler" months. Malone is still feeling things out looking for his best line ups. His main filter is effort - especially on defense. RW is beginning to play starter minutes coming off the bench because his effort/defense is always there (not true for all Nugg players). If Nuggs are around .500 come February then roster changes might be necessary. Go Nuggs!
Secondary stars are playing their roles, could have given guys like Zeke more leash a couple years ago to know if he was deserving of an extension, their lazy weeks aren't good enough to just half play into the 4th and pull it out. Malone needs to be careful, some rumors are there is a growing split in the lockerroom. I do think it can naturally turn around, just need Vlatko or Saric to play backup center similar to Jokic with the ball more and the starters gotta ball when they're together.
In addition to the damaged atmosphere where the relations between the players are obviously not good, except for Russ who plays for everyone, even Joker has descended into that group of players. PW is like Bambi on the ice, he is still trying to prove himself, and the product of that is 15-20 missed dunks so far, which could have been easy points, with a layup. Julian is helpless in defense and it will show when we play the best teams. All the talk about the MPJ trade will fall on Denver's head and there will be nothing from the trade until the summer. Jokic loses his patience more and more because he creates space and passes the ball to all MPJ, CB and others, and instead of shooting the ball, they return the ball to Jokic where in many cases the ball is intercepted. That's why we see Jokic in a completely different light in the last two games and again with a triple double, even Russ can't bring up Jokic with his energy because he knows that the two of them won't be able to do it alone. Denver has a bench that would be rated 23th or 24th just because of Russ.
I would consider a trade between Porter/Gordon and Markkanen/Clarkson. I think it’s a solid ways and there are ways to make it happen and the contracts match.
How about Jordan Clarkson for Julian Strawther and Zeke Naji. I believe the salaries would work. They get a young piece in Strawther and we get a true 6th man, veteran ready to win now. We also keep our core. If we have to throw in a 2nd
Booth incompetent signings, Malone messages getting tired and players tuning him out, lack of energy and athleticism on roster. Think they need to trade MPJ to shake things up and fine Murray every time he walks the ball up the court.
Players' pockets filled with money are a problem as they are in the entire NBA. Now some players have not changed even with big money, some simply have not progressed as players and some think that they are stars because of the big money and that no one can do anything to them. The psyche of many has been changed and there is not much that can be changed, but to identify and replace them with better, mentally and physically better players. All other shortcuts are just patches on a ship that is just about to sink. Denver has Jokic, AG, Russ and several young players around whom he must build a new team and try to win another title or become a team for ridicule and not knowing how to use one of the greatest talents in the world of basketball.
Whats wrong with the weak bench no defense and perimeter defense Daron Holmes getting injured no production from Jordan Pickett Nnanji Tyson their not playing enough Cancar injury prone not signing Pope Brown max contracts to Porter Murray Gordon signing extensions where they cant make a trade
Who cares who closes. I say trade nobody. Wait to end of year see how Booth's team does. He might be the next move the Nuggets need to make before any more bad deals. Lavine so great why do they want to get reed of him? Don't like that 15+ percent raise he gets if traded. Put that on that HIGH salaries too. 21 turn overs, what up with that coach?
The Atlanta game might have shown what they’re capable of when things click, but the rest of the season feel like a roller coaster of ups and downs.
Atlanta played without Bogdanovic, who scored 8 three-pointers for us last season in Atlanta, Jalen Johnson also did not play. After that defeat, Atlanta lost 4 out of 5 games, and what is the schedule in the next 15 games, they will win a maximum of 5 games. They are already below 500 and against Denver they were above 500.
Jalen Johnson was out who AVERAGES
20
10
6
2 stocks
50% FG%
& Bogey
Same Gm, Same Head Coach, Same Players, in Russ starts(5-1) the team wins 80% of their games, in all the non-Russ starts the team wins 50% of their games.
I think part of it is the pace, energy, defense, and play making he adds at the start of those games, plus his ability to get guys(including Jokic, easy shots around the basket)
That's why i don't advocate trading MPJ.
In those Russ starts MPJ got into a good rhythm and he was far more active, including attacking the offensive glass for putback dunks.
Before i made any major trade(meaning MPJ) i would go 12-15 games with: Jokic, Gordon, MPJ, Murray, and Russ in the starting lineup to see if that gives the team a spark.
Use CB as a super sub(30+ mins) and using staggered minutes, use: Jordan, Gordon, Watson, CB, and Murray as the reserve unit.
When Murray and Gordon sit and CB comes in, you are running a five of: Jokic, MPJ, Watson, CB, and Russ.
The fill in players are: Strawther and Tyson....
Saric and Nnaji need to be moved even if it means adding 2nd rd picks to get it done.
One more serviceable vet would really help.
Maybe waive Pinkett to create a roster spot and sign someone like: Robert Covington, Lonnie Walker, Justin Joliday, or a similar vet wing....
I'm not sure if they would do it but Nic Batum from The Clippers would be a nice veteran to add via trade.
I think the team is mostly fine and just need a spark to start games.
I agree.. I like how MPJ was playing .. it feels like joker was dominating as a solo no one else really was chipping in.. then when Murray went out n Russ stepped up.. MPJ I thought was stepping up.. he literally was averaging more than Murray n he was more active defensively and crashing the boards n getting runs at the basket.. but I feel like joker been sacrificing his game to get Murray going n now Murray is picking it up which naturally slides MPJ back as gordan has returned too… which is another mouth to feed .. I feel like nuggets make an effort to get MPJ n AG going in the first 2 quarters Russ Braun strawther and Watson fillng in the blanks.. joker can get his when he decides n Murray is being tailored to close … I loved Murray basically ignoring joker on that last shot to get into OT.. that’s what this team needs .. I just think they need more healthy reps.. I like that we can win in different ways.. we not dominating full games but we do kinda dominate in the clutch
You Need a trade... Only thing can break stagnation is a trade (or changing the coach)..
Jokic had made a statement that I had made earlier in the game. They do not have the HUNGER they need to be real contenders. And the way MPJ looked, he looks very full as hell out there just moping around, getting blown by on every drive. Embarrassing for him I'm glad Coach took him out. That's what I was calling for. I'm soo disappointed i really though we could be a Dynasty but the only player that's getting better is Jokic. The other guys have either stepped backwards or even keal
Not only that, Jokic's defense looks bad because he doesn't come out on the player who passed his guard precisely because MPJ needs to get under his hoop, Jokic goes out to block the opposing player. This was best seen in the second game with the Clippers, when the Clippers' wings entered behind the back and scored from that dunker spot. CB has also played bad defense in the last 8 games, and its offense has dropped significantly to.
I think MPJ is done as a Nugget...whether he's traded soon or in the off-season. It's partly his own doing and partly, I think, how the team is made up and who the coach and favored players are. I don't blame Malone for taking him out last night...he was passing up good looks and his defense was awful...he's not a good defender to begin with...but he got burned on several plays that were purely effort stuff. I think part of it's probably the trade talk getting into his head, but I also think part of it coincides with Murray coming back. When Murray is bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offense MPJ can almost become an afterthought. I think deep down MPJ probably resents the fact he's the big trade bargaining chip and has a semi-regular rental in Malone's dog house when Murray is allowed to come into the past few seasons badly out of shape and is allowed to play through everything. Blackburn here is saying he doesn't have a problem with Malone sitting him...and I don't either. But how would he feel if Malone benched Murray in a similar fashion? And how would Murray react? The common rebuttal would be that ultimately Murray is more important to the Nuggets...and that's true...but it still has to be grating to have a coach who'll constantly sit your ass without hesitation, but when his golden child is out there stinking up the joint, he can't even bring himself to ever even criticize him after games....if Murray is doing something obviously awful, even then Malone will group him in with other players to criticize as to not single him out. I'm sure that gets old. But ultimately, MPJ has to be the one to assert himself....no one is going to do it for him.
BI and Butler are the two clear best players available for them.
We need to be very careful letting a lame duck GM make a massive trade, considering its a GM that is likely not here next year. I dont think the players nor the coach love him...and Josh Kronke clearly doesn't or Booth would have an extension by now wouldn't he???
They are sooooo frustrating to watch right now. Look great at times but the discipline and effort isn't there alot of times. Hope they pull it together soon or Junior is definitely getting dealt for sure. Was listening to a bulls podcast this am. They seem excited to get Junior but taking Zeke seems to be the hangup😂 cant say i blame em. Getting rid of him is the best part of that Lavine trade
I mean that's fine MPJ can have a bounce back game, but it's the consistency with him. Never know when your gonna get a solid night from him or not.
You can't count on MPJ in the clutch. I say lose him while he still has some value.
In the NBA - Oct, Nov, Dec are your "feeler" months. Malone is still feeling things out looking for his best line ups. His main filter is effort - especially on defense. RW is beginning to play starter minutes coming off the bench because his effort/defense is always there (not true for all Nugg players). If Nuggs are around .500 come February then roster changes might be necessary. Go Nuggs!
Secondary stars are playing their roles, could have given guys like Zeke more leash a couple years ago to know if he was deserving of an extension, their lazy weeks aren't good enough to just half play into the 4th and pull it out.
Malone needs to be careful, some rumors are there is a growing split in the lockerroom.
I do think it can naturally turn around, just need Vlatko or Saric to play backup center similar to Jokic with the ball more and the starters gotta ball when they're together.
Yup, Braun really needs to be a lock down perimeter defender. If he can't be that then we're in trouble.
In addition to the damaged atmosphere where the relations between the players are obviously not good, except for Russ who plays for everyone, even Joker has descended into that group of players. PW is like Bambi on the ice, he is still trying to prove himself, and the product of that is 15-20 missed dunks so far, which could have been easy points, with a layup. Julian is helpless in defense and it will show when we play the best teams. All the talk about the MPJ trade will fall on Denver's head and there will be nothing from the trade until the summer. Jokic loses his patience more and more because he creates space and passes the ball to all MPJ, CB and others, and instead of shooting the ball, they return the ball to Jokic where in many cases the ball is intercepted. That's why we see Jokic in a completely different light in the last two games and again with a triple double, even Russ can't bring up Jokic with his energy because he knows that the two of them won't be able to do it alone. Denver has a bench that would be rated 23th or 24th just because of Russ.
I would consider a trade between Porter/Gordon and Markkanen/Clarkson. I think it’s a solid ways and there are ways to make it happen and the contracts match.
Gordan just signed an extension and cannot be traded. As has Murray. Junior is the only bargaining chip the Nuggs have right now
That sucks
How about Jordan Clarkson for Julian Strawther and Zeke Naji. I believe the salaries would work. They get a young piece in Strawther and we get a true 6th man, veteran ready to win now. We also keep our core. If we have to throw in a 2nd
Booth incompetent signings, Malone messages getting tired and players tuning him out, lack of energy and athleticism on roster. Think they need to trade MPJ to shake things up and fine Murray every time he walks the ball up the court.
Players' pockets filled with money are a problem as they are in the entire NBA. Now some players have not changed even with big money, some simply have not progressed as players and some think that they are stars because of the big money and that no one can do anything to them. The psyche of many has been changed and there is not much that can be changed, but to identify and replace them with better, mentally and physically better players. All other shortcuts are just patches on a ship that is just about to sink. Denver has Jokic, AG, Russ and several young players around whom he must build a new team and try to win another title or become a team for ridicule and not knowing how to use one of the greatest talents in the world of basketball.
MPJ + Nnaji -------> Bogi + Hunter + pick
Bad coach, no backup Center, no 3 point shooting, bad bench, Murray inconsistent.
Get Lavine!
Whats wrong with the weak bench no defense and perimeter defense Daron Holmes getting injured no production from Jordan Pickett Nnanji Tyson their not playing enough Cancar injury prone not signing Pope Brown max contracts to Porter Murray Gordon signing extensions where they cant make a trade
Who cares who closes. I say trade nobody. Wait to end of year see how Booth's team does. He might be the next move the Nuggets need to make before any more bad deals. Lavine so great why do they want to get reed of him? Don't like that 15+ percent raise he gets if traded. Put that on that HIGH salaries too. 21 turn overs, what up with that coach?