The Nuggies need a late game general!!!

Chris Paul is probably the best crunch time player in the NBA, so getting out-executed by him will happen on occasion. That said, what I saw from the Nuggets was pretty good in the last two minutes: 2 Nene dunks, they got a bunny for Al that he just blew, then the ref screwed over Nene as he discarded Chauncey (who grabbed him) in great position to score. So the Nuggets created good shots in crunch time last night, and have done so in other close games as well (vs. Philly and the Knicks for example). Close games will always be more or less a coin flip, so as long as the Nuggets aren’t totally failing to get good looks I’m not terribly worried about it.

Like in NY or Phillie, or Washington, even LAL at home? Do those games get thrown away because we had a bad close out vs. the Lakers?
I do think we aren’t a title team yet, but it isn’t a closer that we need, just a banger or a shotmaker (possibly Wilson Chandler)

You know what makes this really ironic is that if Lawson had played Sunday, The Nuggets probably win that game! LOL
Every player has his strengths and weaknesses. Even Paul. If Lawson starts getting calls when he drives the lane you will see how much better he orchestrates this team. Trust me.

let’s not give up on our best player, with several years of improvement left, 20 games into his first full season as a starter. I’ll grant that if we could get D-Will straight up for him, we would have to at least consider it, but there is about a 5% chance that he would sign with denver.

Deron Williams is an asshole. There. I said it. If it gets me in trouble with the moderators, I’ll just look at it like that hard foul in crunch time that draws a flagrant 1. It needed to be done/said.

Contrary to what you read from some fans on this very blog about his being overrated, Chris Paul is an extra-special NBA point guard. There are very few professional athletes with his combination of elite skills. It’s been said again and again, but it’s as true as the day is long: in addition to his other talents, Paul is a master of pacing in the NBA game. He is the equivalent of a track star or race car driver on the NBA court. He knows when and how to put the hammer down.

It was on display like crazy in last night’s Clippers-Thunder game. In addition to closing the game with utter brilliance, Paul had other stretches in which he demonstrated why he’s among the toughest threats to stop in the league. No one knew if, or from where, he would shoot. Nor did they know if, or to whom, he would pass. He got off shots over the leading blocker in the league. He nailed necessary jumpers early in the clock even though those are shots he rarely takes. He also took every bit of time off the clock and then nailed jumpers or got to the basket. He was in command of his game, others’ games, and the game.

Such a player doesn’t come along very often. Yeah, you read it here first. The Nuggets can’t just dream one up. And please see above re: Deron Williams. Plus, he is no Chris Paul.

The Nuggets’ roster development under Ujiri is coming along just fine. He has a plan, just as Presti had one, to get this team deeper into contention, and soon. He’s aware that more tinkering is required, but we don’t need a superstar. In my opinion, what we need is a tough banger-scorer who can nail shots when the going gets tough, a la Paul Millsap. But I defer to the front office. (Sarcasm alert: the FO isn’t paying attention to me or to any of us.))

This is EXACTLY what I’m talking about. Our offensive possessions in the end of the 4th and overtime were bad. It seems like we lack purpose at the end of game situations. Ty did nothing in terms of setting the table, or playing floor General. He was never a threat to score and the Grizz knew it. The Nuggets need to do something different if we want to win in the playoffs, or we will be watching replays just like this one as we get bounced out of the playoffs in the first or second round.