Suns vs. Nuggets recap: Team powers Nuggets to win
by Nate Timmons on Feb 14, 2012 9:45 PM MST
in Denver Nuggets: Game Previews & Game Threads
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The Nuggets put together a quality team win over the Phoenix Suns last night with a final score of 109-92. Arron Afflalo led the way with 20 points, but it was the team effort that really won the game for the Nuggets. How about Chris Andersen with 16 points and 6 blocks and Kenneth Faried with 13 points and 9 rebounds (4 offensive)? Sure, the Suns didn't have Steve Nash, but the Nuggets were without Danilo Gallinari, Nene, and Timofey Mozgov.
Check out the box score from last night's game to see the balanced attack utilized by Denver last night: box score here.
Denver only finished with only 19 team assists, I say only because it felt like Denver was passing the ball freely and doing so often. To start the game, the Nuggets jumped out to a quick 33-21 lead by sharing the ball, turning up the defense a little bit, and finishing plays at the rim. The Nuggets' three-point shooting wasn't great, 4-14, but it also wasn't the focal point of the offense and that is the right move.
We've seen the Nuggets get shot happy and not do what they need to in order to win games. The Nuggets play at their best when they are attacking the rim (25-34 on freebies) and using their defense to set up fast offense (13 blocks and 13 steals).
The Suns are a very average team without Steve Nash and to an extent without Grant Hill too, and the Nuggets deep squad took care of business and never really allowed the Suns to get involved in the game. With Nash out, guys like Marcin Gortat are rendered somewhat useless (he did have 14 rebounds) as he scored just 10 points and averages 15.3 ppg on the season.
I continue to be impressed with Faried as he gets more comfortable on the floor. His rebounding and defense are proving to be quite useful, his free throw shooting is showing improvement as well (5-6 on freebies last night), and his offensive game is starting to pick up new tricks ... how about his up-and-under last night(?!). The man Faried is taking minutes away from, Chris Andersen had another good throwback game. The issue ... the Nuggets can't really afford to sit Birdman for 2-3 games and then play him, he's making too much dough for that. A nice bounce-back game for Bird who has been racking up a lot of minutes on the bench this season.
The Nuggets got a little sloppy at times last night, allowed too many second chance opportunities for the Suns (18 offensive rebounds), but were able to get a win on their home floor for the first time in five tries. Good win for Denver ... next up is Dallas!
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YAY!!! We WIN!!! woo hoo
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
by SDcat09 on Feb 14, 2012 9:47 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Streaking?
Crouching moron, hidden smarta**
Optimism, pessimism, F*CK THAT; we're gonna make it happen. As God as my bloody witness, I'm hell-bent on making it work.
"This team is going to win a Super Bowl at some point."
Masai Ujiri, Brian Cashman: Magnificent Bastards
Supreme: Everyone gets a free pony.
by Kevin L on Feb 14, 2012 9:49 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Overall a pretty solid game
But I’m concerned that a team which has been decidedly not good on the glass was able to push us around and get all those offensive rebounds early. Even though it was a blowout, it could have been a complete massacre without those boards in the first half.
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
It's almost like we didn't have our starting frontline!
(kidding aside I agree, but the 2nd half seemed better)
"Weltmeister!!" Zwei mal: 2010-2011...und weiter gehts
hehe.
yeah, we can hope that it will resolve itself when we are more healthy.
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
It's a win, so I'm going to stay positive
but I agree this game could have been a massacre. Instead of focusing on the problems after a win, I’ll simply reserve the right to bring them up in the future, without having to deal with anyone saying “where were you when they were winning”.
They won! Woohoo! Only good thoughts from me today! Loved all the energy from all of the players.
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 8:39 AM MST up reply actions
So
Gallo, Nene and Moz are hurt but we fully expected to beat a better(than WSH) Phoenix team at home.
"Weltmeister!!" Zwei mal: 2010-2011...und weiter gehts
yeah, right Phil?
Gee we’re so heartbroken that a competitor’s player is hurt. Gosh we dont have any idea how that feels.
Whatever works in this stage of the hunt.
Crouching moron, hidden smarta**
Optimism, pessimism, F*CK THAT; we're gonna make it happen. As God as my bloody witness, I'm hell-bent on making it work.
"This team is going to win a Super Bowl at some point."
Masai Ujiri, Brian Cashman: Magnificent Bastards
Supreme: Everyone gets a free pony.
Wizards, or more specifically Young, is on fire
and Aldridge rolled his ankle in the first quarter
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
Haven't seen Bird play like that all season.
Maya: "What are your first impressions of Denver?"
Mozgov: "I must break you..."
Haven’t seen Bird play like that since ’87.
Crouching moron, hidden smarta**
Optimism, pessimism, F*CK THAT; we're gonna make it happen. As God as my bloody witness, I'm hell-bent on making it work.
"This team is going to win a Super Bowl at some point."
Masai Ujiri, Brian Cashman: Magnificent Bastards
Supreme: Everyone gets a free pony.
by Kevin L on Feb 14, 2012 9:58 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Great to see him perform well.
Hopefully he can consistently start to string together solid performances, if continued to be given the opportunity to.
by NuggetsFan99 on Feb 14, 2012 10:10 PM MST up reply actions
AAA seems to be back
Which I am very happy about. He had me worried there for a while but I think he’ll continue to step up while Gallo is out.
He said in his radio interview
I put some personal stuff behind me and let my game speak for itself.
AAA kept this game out of reach for the Suns
1st time in his career he’s scored 20 3X in a row, we’ll take it!
"1-2-3...HARD WORK!"
Just because Bird has been Doghoused doesn't mean he can't still play
Yeah he’s looked bad at times (not tonite). But he really hasn’t had much opportunity. Before this game his PER was 18.6, say what you want but that ain’t bad.
by Nuggburg on Feb 14, 2012 10:03 PM MST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
wouldn't that be "birdhoused"?
…anyway, liked Kouf’s game tonight as well, looked a lot more comfortable defending in the paint
"1-2-3...HARD WORK!"
I've been defending Bird all year
And there’s been major Bird hate round here. But we need a Decent backup Center and that’s the Illustrated Man at the end of the Bench
by Nuggburg on Feb 14, 2012 10:09 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
while Moz and Nene out no problem
but there is not enough minutes to play him effectively when all the bigs are healthy, including Gallo.
"1-2-3...HARD WORK!"
If all the Bigs get healthy
Yeah I see your point. But bigs especially get injured all the freakin time.
true, problem is with Coach Karl
he’d rather play 3 guards than put Bird in before tonight, even when we were down bigs and were getting killed on the boards. Bird was looking lost on defense before he started getting DNP-CD’s multiple times and wasn’t appearing to give max effort, also his teammates appeared to be on him about his defensive rotations…of course they haven’t been much better in that regard the past week or so either.
"1-2-3...HARD WORK!"
Not true..
Simple. Sit Harrington, Play Bird at the backup 4. Sick of the small ball. You can see the high percentage shots Bird gets, not to mention cleaning the glass and defending. He if right is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to shot blocking and protecting the rim. The increased lack of athleticism is a blessing in disguise because he can’t pogo stick like he used to. He is to intelligent time his jump and seems to be smarter about this now. I say play him at the backup 4 (will never happen though) If buckets isnt shooting well we dont really need him on the court.
by Bigdorph on Feb 15, 2012 12:31 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
not that simple...maybe play Harrington less
but to leave points on th bench like that is not a good idea. Al has had to play a lot of minutes and is looking tired, especially on his long shots, but they do need him on the second unit. Sitting him entirely is not the answer, especially for an older guy who needs to get into shooting rhythm, but if Bird continues to play like he did last night he should get more minutes more often. However he’s probably pretty sore after last night and I don’t expect anything close to that from him on a b2b, but he could prove me wrong, even half of that scoring and most of that defense. Remember, Coach Karl said he would be happy with a .500 effort from the team the next 10 games…grrr
"1-2-3...HARD WORK!"
I don't think he was doghoused.
George said ‘Bird hasn’t given me any protest about the lineups because he realizes the young guys have a lot of talent’.
Just Doghoused in the DNP-coach decision sense
Yes Bird has been very professional and stayed positive but you know all players hate getting DNP’d including Bird.
Bird is done
The guy works in very, very small doses, and I’ll actually applaud Karl for using him when he is well rested and at home where he thrives.
DenverStiffs > MileHighReport
#FreeFaried on twitter. Join the Revolution!
by KevinAwesome on Feb 15, 2012 12:02 AM MST up reply actions
This
Which is sad. I’m not a crazy big Birdman fan on account of not being a 10-year-old boy, but the way the crowd claps for him, it is always nice to see him get some minutes at home. And nice that he was productive last night.
I know it isn’t likely, but I hope Andersen retires as a Nugget.
Is your love worth the nausea it could bring?
Boo.
"All you fuckers who think we won't be good anymore, fuck you" - GK
Afflalo is Boss.
Retire Bird in Denver.
by love4nuggets on Feb 15, 2012 12:55 PM MST up reply actions
So any one up for Streaking till the OKC game?
Crouching moron, hidden smarta**
Optimism, pessimism, F*CK THAT; we're gonna make it happen. As God as my bloody witness, I'm hell-bent on making it work.
"This team is going to win a Super Bowl at some point."
Masai Ujiri, Brian Cashman: Magnificent Bastards
Supreme: Everyone gets a free pony.
by Kevin L on Feb 14, 2012 10:04 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
ME ME ME!!
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
So any one up for Streakingtillon past the OKC game?
FYP
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
by Russscot on Feb 14, 2012 10:06 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
that's more likely
they will be their extremely cocky selves when we get there, too bad no Gallo for that one, but hope Nene is available and remembers how Perk and Ibaka abused him in the playoffs…what am I talking about, he will likely do nothing about it :(
"1-2-3...HARD WORK!"
maybe durantula will get shot in the knee with an arrow
by 5baker5 on Feb 14, 2012 10:10 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
What a strangely specific...
Oh, I get it.
Die-hard Rockies fan since seven years after Jamie Moyer's MLB debut.
Poo-Bah of the San Diego Padres in the Purple Row OOTP League.
@Paul_Franz
My blerg
First of all, too much. Second, at least say the Skyrim joke right.
Crouching moron, hidden smarta**
Optimism, pessimism, F*CK THAT; we're gonna make it happen. As God as my bloody witness, I'm hell-bent on making it work.
"This team is going to win a Super Bowl at some point."
Masai Ujiri, Brian Cashman: Magnificent Bastards
Supreme: Everyone gets a free pony.
Haha
I used to be the NBA’s leading scorer… until I took an arrow to the knee.
by neonato1806 on Feb 15, 2012 12:24 PM MST up reply actions
I was considering streaking at the OKC game
but I can’t spend time in jail right now.
No. More. Stickyball.
by LongWindedHank on Feb 15, 2012 1:02 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec
"All you fuckers who think we won't be good anymore, fuck you" - GK
Afflalo is Boss.
Retire Bird in Denver.
by love4nuggets on Feb 15, 2012 1:06 PM MST up reply actions
sounds cold
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 8:41 AM MST up reply actions
btw, episode 2 of "The Association" on tomorrow on NBA TV
perfect pre-game before Nuggets vs Mavs
"1-2-3...HARD WORK!"
I’ve been looking for those. I figured my DVR hasn’t been recording them. No wonder, there hasn’t been a new one
A baseball park is the one place where a man's wife doesn't mind his getting excited over somebody else's curves
by waterboy31321 on Feb 15, 2012 8:09 AM MST up reply actions
yes he did.
whole team went off. Ended up shooting 60% from the field and 52% from 3. They just steamrolled the Blazers
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
Go Generals!
Crouching moron, hidden smarta**
Optimism, pessimism, F*CK THAT; we're gonna make it happen. As God as my bloody witness, I'm hell-bent on making it work.
"This team is going to win a Super Bowl at some point."
Masai Ujiri, Brian Cashman: Magnificent Bastards
Supreme: Everyone gets a free pony.
Finally
The injury bug hit another team in the Northwest division besides us
Nuggets All Day Everyday
by TheMozgovCocktail on Feb 14, 2012 10:51 PM MST up reply actions
I think Portland was hit waaaaay longer than us.
Crouching moron, hidden smarta**
Optimism, pessimism, F*CK THAT; we're gonna make it happen. As God as my bloody witness, I'm hell-bent on making it work.
"This team is going to win a Super Bowl at some point."
Masai Ujiri, Brian Cashman: Magnificent Bastards
Supreme: Everyone gets a free pony.
why does it seem the elite teams never get injured
could it be that is one of the qualities that allow them to be elite. Sans the Spurs
What?
Miami-Wade missed a chunk this year
Boston- rondo keeps getting hurt
Lakers- Bynum
Orlando- Nelson is always hurt and Turk is getting that way too
Chicago- Rose has missed a good chunk this year
Spurs- Manu out since the first week it seems
Let's start a riot!
On twitter- @RobPalmerPeru
by Army of Nugs on Feb 15, 2012 11:11 AM MST up reply actions
Hmm,,
Miami, Boston, Orlando, Chicago.. play in the East. So overcoming injuries is easier…
Lakers have the same record as the Nuggets…
Spurs have been solid and are on a win streak.. Think they will come back down to earth at little. They remind me of the Houston team (sans Yao that won 20 straight) a few years back. They play there game no matter what. You have to be solid to beat them.
You are supposed to use REALLY???
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 11:22 AM MST up reply actions
true
but those teams didn’t have four 3 or 4 guys out a time like we have
Nuggets All Day Everyday
by TheMozgovCocktail on Feb 15, 2012 11:50 AM MST up reply actions
True
but do any of those teams have nearly as much depth as we do? When Wade and James were out for Miami, they had Bosh, Cole and scrubs. Does Chicago have a decent backup for D Rose? Orlando has Chris Duhon to fill in for Jameer Nelson. Injuries are a part of the game, just some COACHES have been better at handling what they have.
Let's start a riot!
On twitter- @RobPalmerPeru
by Army of Nugs on Feb 15, 2012 12:22 PM MST up reply actions
ILB, I'm laughing too
and Ray F is having a horibad year, making me laugh longer and harder
Couldnt happen to a more mopey, self centered, childish player than Ray
I went from liking and respecting Ray on the Knicks to gradually questioning Ray as trade rumors swirled and Ray went from “ya know, we just gotta be mature, deal with it” but when his name surfaced as part of trade, Ray cried, moped, sulked, then on Denver he did nothing but cry, complain and did the most to lose that series vs OKC
Efficiency rating this year = <11
Great Win
The second and start of the third quarter were pretty sloppy but the Nuggets overcame that and put up a solid effort. A week ago we would have lost this game. Great win
Nuggets All Day Everyday
by TheMozgovCocktail on Feb 14, 2012 10:45 PM MST reply actions
Not sure...
I would categorize beating a tired Phoenix team without its best player a great win. But the Nuggets were without the frontline, so it is a nice win. Phoenix is terrible without Nash.
so how about faried eh?
pretty good. I think he’s already probably the best rebounder on the squad. If he works real hard we may have another rodman. I just hope he goes crazy good instead of crazy.. and good.
by Japheth:the.other.kind.of.asian. on Feb 14, 2012 11:18 PM MST reply actions
but should he cut his hair?
by InboundingLobPass on Feb 14, 2012 11:32 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
4 offensive boards for Faried
And 4 for Kouf. Nothing wins games like Oboards.
by Nuggburg on Feb 14, 2012 11:55 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
he stlll has no clue about positioning.
He will only improve once he understands where he needs to be and box out more. He has to adjust his game which only comes via minutes.
reminds me of a puppy
so active, so willing but so raw. He’ll get it and then he’ll be very good.
as long as he doesn't crap on the carpet...
he can bring energy and he just seems intense and is starting to stake his claim in the team. Soon he will stake his claim to the rim.
Ben Wallace 2.0
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 8:42 AM MST up reply actions
It's still a team game
Even if you have a star(s) or if we get Nene, Slew Foot and Gallo back, it takes overall defensive effort on the part of the entire team, bench included, to make an impact on the league. I don’t think it is accurate analysis to focus on one or two players. They are important glue and closers and all that but they can’t do it alone. The trend early in the season was defensive intensity and running and passing. The past few weeks have seen a lack of overall team defense, so we started losing. And I don’t want to hear about the tough schedule. As in golf, everyone has to play it. I heard on the radio that Dolph Schayes once played 8 games in 8 nights and scored 32 points on game 8. Don’t know if that’s true but c’mon athletes, suck it up. You’re not even playing 40 minutes like they used to 5 or 6 years ago. Focus on the dirty work: defense, boxing out, moving on offense.
Game takes: A ho-hum win with PHX without Nash. A glance at the plus-minus column shows our bench dominant over theirs; the way it is supposed to be. Faried is fun to watch but 4 TOs and is wild and was a minus on the night. He’s a rookie. That’s why GK doesn’t play them. He needs to play to develop, however.
Harrington: Of late he has been the chucker that most of us Stiffs hate. The last two games Harrington has gone back to the floor game that got him his success this year and he was the best player on the court at plus-24 last night. One could argue that the schedule affected him during his chucker games. I think laziness.
Ty Awesome: Seems to be coming back to normal as well.
Koufos: Developing. Stay aggressive, big man.
Mavs: Sitting in D-town waiting for us. The odds are against the Nugs, playing the 2nd of a back to back. Mavs favored by 7. Can we beat the spread or win the game? Nuggets are 21-6 ATS in the last 27 road games and 9-1 ATS last 10 road games at Dallas. Hmm.
"When I played, this is how I liked to play," Karl said. "It’s a combination of North Carolina, Phoenix Suns, Doug Moe. There is a commitment to running all the time."
Smith's mistakes throughout the series have bothered Karl. "And then, of course the one with eight seconds to go, from 50 feet," Karl said. "I just love the dignity of the game being insulted right in front of me."
by Plea for Intelligence on Feb 15, 2012 9:31 AM MST up reply actions
I'm not saying faried is a finished product at all
If you look at my prior posts, I’ve said it took Ben Wallace several seasons to be ready, and I think the same for Faried. When I say Wallace 2.0, I mean he’ll be ready in two or three years.
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 9:40 AM MST up reply actions
He gets to the line a lot
If he could finish a little (a lot) better and hit FTs at 75%, that would be huge offensively.
For sure, he's just a rook
I’m not sure who Kenneth reminds me of. He’s just so “bouncy.” I think of Ben as an enforcer, thick bodied type who will leg wrestle you and beat you 9 x out of 10, kinda like Calvin Natt, tho Natt could score as well. Natt’s on my all time favorite player list, btw.
"When I played, this is how I liked to play," Karl said. "It’s a combination of North Carolina, Phoenix Suns, Doug Moe. There is a commitment to running all the time."
Smith's mistakes throughout the series have bothered Karl. "And then, of course the one with eight seconds to go, from 50 feet," Karl said. "I just love the dignity of the game being insulted right in front of me."
by Plea for Intelligence on Feb 15, 2012 9:54 AM MST up reply actions
Natt was a BAAAADD man....
until his knees gave ways…
Ok, you asked for it: Calvin Natt - A Natt for Toughness (Small Vid)
"When I played, this is how I liked to play," Karl said. "It’s a combination of North Carolina, Phoenix Suns, Doug Moe. There is a commitment to running all the time."
Smith's mistakes throughout the series have bothered Karl. "And then, of course the one with eight seconds to go, from 50 feet," Karl said. "I just love the dignity of the game being insulted right in front of me."
by Plea for Intelligence on Feb 15, 2012 10:06 AM MST up reply actions
And while I hate to give Throw it Down fuel for his fire, check out the Evil George face in this one
Nuggets shock Seattle. George goes apoplectic on the bench.
"When I played, this is how I liked to play," Karl said. "It’s a combination of North Carolina, Phoenix Suns, Doug Moe. There is a commitment to running all the time."
Smith's mistakes throughout the series have bothered Karl. "And then, of course the one with eight seconds to go, from 50 feet," Karl said. "I just love the dignity of the game being insulted right in front of me."
by Plea for Intelligence on Feb 15, 2012 10:10 AM MST up reply actions
If the story of the last game was Brewer's play the story this game is
AAA.
Love the guy and have always felt that he’s not our best player but should be our leader.
But his game is so subtle, so complete that he may make February not nearly as painful as it could have been. Fingers crossed.
agree! AA leads with energy, heart and an all around game that can infuse us whenever and wherever needed
when on his game. Right now he looks like he’s back…what excites me is that Ty the last couple of games decided to take scoring into his own hands. Between Ty and Gallo or maybe both the quest for a star may have been found. Add the array of solid players we have and bam! boom! the chemistry lab can explode….right in face of the naysayers and the star$%&%*ckers.
I was among those that counseled patience about AAA
and I am glad to see he’s playing well again. It don’t want him to have to score 20ppg every night, but it sure comes in handy with all our injuries. As I said in another thread, AAA and Ty have to bring it every game while Gallo is out. Corey, Rudy, Dre, Al can take turns stepping up as long as one or two of them do each outing.
AAA
…and I am one of those that professed disdain about his “bad” contract… but if he keeps this up, he will be a steal at $7.5 per… I love being wrong about some things!
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 8:51 AM MST up reply actions
I've been counseling patience with Trip
Glad to see he’s showing signs of returning and hopefully continuing his development. I think he and Ty and Gallo and possibly Harrington are our “closers” or last shot guys, btw.
"When I played, this is how I liked to play," Karl said. "It’s a combination of North Carolina, Phoenix Suns, Doug Moe. There is a commitment to running all the time."
Smith's mistakes throughout the series have bothered Karl. "And then, of course the one with eight seconds to go, from 50 feet," Karl said. "I just love the dignity of the game being insulted right in front of me."
by Plea for Intelligence on Feb 15, 2012 9:56 AM MST up reply actions
Why do our BIG guys set wack ass screens and picks...
It troubling to me that the Nuggets big love to slip the screen and make it difficult for the PG to get space to pass them screener the ball. Watching tonights game I continued watching Faried refusing to set solid screens for Ty and leaving way too early. Not good since he’s so young. Why doesn’t the coaching staff work on it these guys. Its been an issue for ever since Karl has been coaching. I like Karls philosophy but he should emphasize more on the basic things like setting good solid screens. I seen Ty pick up his dribble to early and unable to feed the big man. If the Nuggets are looking to be contenders versus the Thunder the needs to clean that up. Possibly it will change when the starting front line is back. But it needs to be emphasized more.
Thats right all up in your chest!!!!
Karl actually coaches his bigs to slip most screens
I don’t like it either, and would rather we set some solid screens at least before they started slipping them, but – as you said – it’s been this way since Karl started coaching here, and I don’t expect it to change anytime soon.
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
aggreed except for..
when it’s bird and ’dre running the p&r… then slip screen is a-ok!
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 8:56 AM MST up reply actions
This is what happens when you play guys at their natural positions
No strange lineups. No one played over 30 min except Brewer with 32. Went nine deep and emptied the bench with 5 min left and a 20 point lead. Dare I say good job Karl?
by gonugs on Feb 15, 2012 1:45 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
And right on cue..
When Im about to give Karl praise, he comes out with a quote like this…¨If we go 5 – 5 in our next 10 games Ill be really happy.¨ already making excuses for possible future failure. Facepalm.
Excuses..
GK may do many things, but excuses ain’t one of them. He is being a realist. And what is wrong with setting your team up for success?
Can’t make every game life or death, or you would have a team of scared players…. We already have a buncha scared Stiffs cry foul after every loss.
by djyoung71 on Feb 15, 2012 8:55 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Really? How long have you watched this team?
Trying to stay positive after the win. Really trying. But I can’t let this one pass. Karl is the master of excuses, and one of his favorite tactics is to lower expectations with statements like the one above. Please find me one, just one, quote where Karl accepts blame for a loss without diverting blame onto others. Because I can find you hundreds and hundreds where he dumps blame on everyone but himself.
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 9:04 AM MST up reply actions
question:
Answer me this…. looking at the schedule, will you be upset if we go 5-5 over our next 10… be honest. Because that’s all I think GK was doing.
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 9:13 AM MST up reply actions
Two things
saying 5-5 out loud tells your players it is okay to lose half of their games. That is like the manager at Fedex saying that it’s okay if only half the packages get delivered on time.
Second, if you expect to be a playoff team 5-5 is never acceptable over any stretch of 10 games. A .500 record won’t get you into the playoffs, and this team needs to be making up for losing 7 out of 8.
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 9:34 AM MST up reply actions
He's always said what he thinks is an acceptable number of losses
during a giving month. I don’t think it’s the worst thing and he’s basically saying this is his opinion. Is it an expectation? If one wants to interpret it that way then I posit that the expectation isn’t so low that it tells the team he thinks they suck and stand no chance. If they meet that expectation they still are on the right track. If they exceed it, even better.
It’s not like they aren’t going to try and win every game. And I don’t see this is as pre-emptive blame shifting maneuver either.
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
As much as Throw and I disagree on GK
I’m with him on this one. One of my pet peeves is the use of the term “winnable game.” It should be outlawed, just like the latest cliche, “Really?” Well hell yeah, really really. I think the players should go out with the attitude of winning every game. I think it does allow some of them to lower their expectations. Do you think Bird or Magic or MJ ever used the term winnable game? They didn’t give a damn what anyone or especially what you thought, they were going to beat your ass and you couldn’t do anything about it.
Another golf analogy: They are using the same lame term, “makeable putt” on golfcasts. So Phil Mickleson’s 40 yard bomb was unmakeable? Hell no. He made it. Every putt is makeable. I became a steady single digit handicap when worked as hard as I could and adopted the attitude, I’m going to try as hard as I can to make the best putt or swing I can and if I do that, I can accept the outcome.
Screw these “makeable” or “winnable” attitudes. Rick Barry’s Golden State Warriors were the ultimate scrappy, Small Ball team of all time. None of their playoff games was deemed “winnable.” They proved differently and I don’t think they would be satisfied with a 5-5 record over the next 10 games.
Oh, I’ll beat you to it, the next guy who comments, “Really? The Mavs game is winnable.”
"When I played, this is how I liked to play," Karl said. "It’s a combination of North Carolina, Phoenix Suns, Doug Moe. There is a commitment to running all the time."
Smith's mistakes throughout the series have bothered Karl. "And then, of course the one with eight seconds to go, from 50 feet," Karl said. "I just love the dignity of the game being insulted right in front of me."
by Plea for Intelligence on Feb 15, 2012 10:25 AM MST up reply actions
i'll have to confess
to using Really.
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 11:04 AM MST up reply actions
I just think he's bluntly honest.
So how do you feel about 5-5 over the next 10? I’m good with it, and I think we are a playoff team, 3-5 seed even.
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 9:52 AM MST up reply actions
Diverting blame??
So he answers a question honestly and he is always throwing someone under the bus? I ain’t gonna argue with you. The statement above can be taken negatively or positively, because it is an opinion.
If you think the Nuggets should be favored to win the NBA title, then a 5-5 expectation is unacceptable….
If you think the Nuggets are bound for the lottery, then a 5-5 expectation is wildly overachieving….
So it is just how you want to view it. We know your view on GK… you have expressed it very well.
maybe you're right..
I guess when a guy destroys cancer twice, the team goes into a tailspin while he’s out the 2nd time and he comes back stronger than before, takes the team on that crazy post Melo-trade run to finish the season… maybe you’re right, maybe I do have some respect for what he’s been able to accomplish. I’m not blind to his deficiencies, I just tend to believe the positives outweigh the negatives with the guy, the coach. I root for GK… I’m a Nuggets fan, brah.
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 9:23 AM MST up reply actions
There are ways to answer that question
You still haven’t found me a quote where karl says “That loss is on me. I lost the game. No one else, me.” You know why? Because it doesn’t exist. But there are plenty where “Ty really fucked up tonight” or “Our guys read too much of their own press tonight”, or “I told the guys to play defense tonight and they just wouldn’t do it” quotes all over the place.
Watch a Bill Belichick press conference some time. That is how a coach is supposed to act.
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 9:37 AM MST up reply actions
Actually..
I think that he told Andrew in a Stiffs interview that he makes mistakes in game all the time. And that is part of figuring a game out.
Really.. pull the Belichick card. I thought you were going to go with Phil Jackson, cause he has more hardware..
Really.. pull the Belichick card. I thought you were going to go with Phil Jackson, cause he has more hardware..
Belichick?
Ugh… I would be lying if I told you I had the patience to make it through a Belichick presser…
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 9:45 AM MST up reply actions
Exactly
A good interview from a coach should tell you exactly nothing. The other team is very good. Going to be very difficult to win. blah blah blah
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 9:55 AM MST up reply actions
Throws players under the bus?
I would think that players wouldn’t play (give effort) for a coach like that.
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 9:50 AM MST up reply actions
I don't really like it when coaches or managers
publicly chastise players in the media. But he does praise them publicly too.
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
exactly my point
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 9:59 AM MST up reply actions
saying going 5-5
is like saying its okay to be average…but I know exactly what Karl is doing…he is trying to make himself look good if the Nuggets end up going 6-4 or 7-3…
if you want to be a CHAMPIONSHIP team, you want to set goals that you win every game you can and not setting up a goal of 5-5…
Not scared stiffs
not fed up with Karl and his “reasons” for losing. hy would you ever come out and say we would love to 5-5…you know what that tells the players, its okay to go 5-5…WTF
sorry, that was a dumb quote by Karl to leave out there
he could have said " This will be a tough stretch of 10 games and will do our best to get as many wins as we can" or something to that affect. What if they were to rattle off 5 more wins in a row, but then lose another 5 in a row, that’s not going to make anyone feel good. Karl needs to talk less and use more coachspeak, and focus on preparing his team and make better decisions in game.
"1-2-3...HARD WORK!"
Karl is the king of excuses
If you can´t see this pattern fine.
Realistic? For this team, no matter what, the stated goal has always been 500 on road, win all your home games. Does that mean we are going to win all our home games? No. But if we can hammer the Heat at home, then we can beat anyone at home so it is a realistic goal and should be the attitude every time we take the court. Win your home games. If you lose a few, which you will, its not the end of the world but the attitude prior to the game should be to EXPECT to win. Then, on the road, try and be at least 500 or better. Do you want to be 500 on the road? No.. you want to be better. The attitude should always be that going on the road is an opportunity to steal a game and get ahead of the goal.
Goin 500 on the road and winning all the home games or losing one in the next 10 games puts us at 7 and 3 or 6 and 4. THAT should be the goal. Not that goin 5 – 5 would ¨make me very happy¨. Its a ridiculous thing to say and very typical of Karl. I will give the guy credit when he deserves it, but to me he is simply trying to manipulate expectations. Sorry, but I dont buy it. The next 10 games are difficult. I get that. We are short handed. I get that too. The goal should still be to have a winning record. Period.
Wilson Chandler won`t play playoffs in China even through his team has locked the 8th seed.
I just watched the game and the commentator said so.
http://twitter.com/#!/Albafica_DN
Why wouldn't he?
Won’t be released from his contract until the team is eliminated anyways… haven’t heard anything that would indicate he won’t play in the postseason.
Some Chinese media has reported that, even though it isn’t official now, it seems when he finishes CBA all-star game he can return to US. I cannot say he won’t play playoffs for 100%, but I do think so.
http://twitter.com/#!/Albafica_DN
by Albafica on Feb 15, 2012 9:31 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
won't play?
when you say “won’t play” do you mean he’ll not give effort, or he literally won’t play? He’s stuck there, why would he want to anger a whole nation by sitting the games out? He can easily light up the stat sheet and simply not play any defense. Plus I don’t think he’ll have to “try” to get waxed in the first round.. they will be playing the top seed most likely, the waxing will come naturally.
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 9:00 AM MST up reply actions
Is Chinese waxing anything like Brazillian?
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 9:06 AM MST up reply actions
hmmm...
That’s a Linteresting question you pose (pardon the overplayed pun, but I’ve caught the fever)
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 9:10 AM MST up reply actions
Second seed
But still will be a tough series for them I imagine.
No, I mean according to some resources, it seems that he had reached an agreement with the team. Everything is legal.
http://twitter.com/#!/Albafica_DN
by Albafica on Feb 15, 2012 9:23 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
I didn’t make it clear at first, my apologies.
http://twitter.com/#!/Albafica_DN
by Albafica on Feb 15, 2012 9:43 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Can you provide a link?
Let's start a riot!
On twitter- @RobPalmerPeru
by Army of Nugs on Feb 15, 2012 11:24 AM MST up reply actions
Wilson's Chinese agent just confirmed no allstar no playoffs, he will go back to US, and Guangsha agrees.
http://twitter.com/#!/Albafica_DN
by Albafica on Feb 15, 2012 10:00 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
If this is true, I will be a happy man
I mean I’m happy our bench is getting some burn now and Karl is forced to play them but having WC back for the mean time would reallyyy help us. Pls pls ps
BCB Lonesome Member (Bring Chauncey Back!)
I found this tweet
seems to be a legit reporter for a Chinese station, but I am very skeptical. Seeing nothing else
http://twitter.com/#!/LiShuangfu/status/169807270560018433
"Weltmeister!!" Zwei mal: 2010-2011...und weiter gehts
Gah, I'm hating myself right now for missing all these nuggets games,
I’m glad we’re back on the winning track. Also, looking at the stats, it looks like faried has been getting some playing time.
We need to put the ball in the hoop, and make them not put the ball in the hoop, if they do that WE WILL WIN!.
I don't think you should hate yourself.
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Good win last night, glad to see that home losing streak busted, however
Al Harrington is starting to become a problem. These are his game stats in the month of February:
@ MEM – 8-16
@ LAC – 3-9
LAL – 8-16
@ POR 3-6
HOU – 5-16
DAL – 6-10
GSW – 4-11
@ IND 4-18
PHO – 5-12
In the month of February he’s posted only 4 games where he’s shot better than 50%, and he’s gone 12/45 from 3, an appalling 26%. He’s also fouling a ton more. Harrington is coming back to Earth (and we all knew he would), and I think Karl would be wise to start limiting his minutes a la Bird in favor of Faried and Mozgov, when he’s back.
Yes..
Big All looks like his running in mud again.. I give him credit for still driving to the bucket hard.. but his shot is YIKES…
Dre is having a tough go too.. He running in mud also..
Dre's GmScore in Feb:
Game Score; the formula is PTS + 0.4 * FG – 0.7 * FGA – 0.4*(FTA – FT) + 0.7 * ORB + 0.3 * DRB + STL + 0.7 * AST + 0.7 * BLK – 0.4 * PF – TOV. Game Score was created by John Hollinger to give a rough measure of a player’s productivity for a single game. The scale is similar to that of points scored, i.e., 40 is an outstanding performance, 10 is an average performance, etc.
@ LAC – 12.5
LAL – 14.1
@ POR – -0.3
HOU – 6.6
DAL – 12.6
GSW – 6.8
@ IND – 4.0
PHO – 1.6
So uh, yeah, the assertion that he’s “running in mud” is really not off base. He’s been very bad in February
by Colin Neilson on Feb 15, 2012 9:58 AM MST up reply actions
Have to expect some reversion to the mean
It is good that Al is a servicable player in NBA but we really didn’t think he was an all-star did we?
I think he will have some good games again.
Nah
But better than 26% from behind the arc. He was deadly in the early season because he was demolishing people in the post. He could bull down there, then when Nene and Mozgov were in, he would sit behind the arc and drill the three or re-post the ball inside. Now he’s far too content to just sit back and jack bad threes. He needs to get back to his inside and post game where he is very good.
by Colin Neilson on Feb 15, 2012 10:04 AM MST up reply actions
Indications of tired legs
playing too many minutes with games too close together for a guy who isn’t a spring chicken.
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 10:06 AM MST up reply actions
agreedo
Faried needs his and Bird’s time.
by Colin Neilson on Feb 15, 2012 10:09 AM MST up reply actions
If you check his season stats . .
Even with the run of bad games he is still better than he has ever been:
TS% 56% (all-time high)
Rebounding Rate 12.8% (highest since he was 18)
Steal rate (all time high)
PER of 17 (all time high)
I loved it when he looked dominant, but I think that something between the two is more likely (or a bit of both).
good post
I was observing the same thing about Big Al losing his floor game but these stats illustrate it. Return of the Hamburglar?
"When I played, this is how I liked to play," Karl said. "It’s a combination of North Carolina, Phoenix Suns, Doug Moe. There is a commitment to running all the time."
Smith's mistakes throughout the series have bothered Karl. "And then, of course the one with eight seconds to go, from 50 feet," Karl said. "I just love the dignity of the game being insulted right in front of me."
by Plea for Intelligence on Feb 15, 2012 10:38 AM MST up reply actions
if not raw, he's very medium rare...
by UKnowULovedVanQwik on Feb 15, 2012 9:58 AM MST up reply actions
Personally he looks raw to me.
Like others said, his positioning needs some work. I also thought he was setting some lazy screens and his basketball IQ was a little lacking in that he wasn’t really where he should’ve been on some pick and rolls which led to some careless turnovers and sloppy play, but that could also be a product of not enough practices with the starting unit he’s playing with.
"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.
Manimal..
Just needs to catch Rodman in a sober moment and get some advice about body position on rebounding and studying how the ball bounces off the rim..
Wait.. Rodman sober.. i see a problem…
LOL.
I don’t think his rebounding was too lacking though. He’s not perfect but he looks good for a rookie. A large amount of that is his athleticism but I think he’ll learn and get better with time.
"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.
new question!
how are these teams that had JR Smith and Chandler not the top ranked teams in their divisions??
To tell the truth, wil didn’t play hard and jr’s teammates are too weak.
http://twitter.com/#!/Albafica_DN
by Albafica on Feb 15, 2012 10:06 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
I also think last night firmly cemented J-Ham's end of bench seat. He looked awful.
0-2, 2 TO, 1 reb, 1 ast in 6:30. Yeesh. Stone wasn’t much better, to be fair.
Idk if you can really go off the stats too much though.
From watching those last 6 or 7 minutes the entire lineup looked awful. It looked like they had very little practice together as a group. Looked like they had no real plays to run and their half-court offense was non-existent. They basically just tried to run as much as possible and use some half-assed PnRs and isos in the half court.
"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.
That gameplan sounds eerily familiar
to our starting 5…
exactly!
"There's no way I would've ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, 'Hey, look, let's get together and play on one team' ... I was trying to beat those guys." -Michael Jordan
by ParkHillNative on Feb 15, 2012 11:12 AM MST up reply actions
Not just that but you can't take much good or bad from garbage time minutes
DenverStiffs > MileHighReport
#FreeFaried on twitter. Join the Revolution!
by KevinAwesome on Feb 15, 2012 12:52 PM MST up reply actions
Lastly, be glad we don't have Robin Lopez:
0-7, 2 points, ONE board, three fouls and a turnover for a 7’0" center who played 13 minutes. And we thought Mozgov was a project.
But he did have the best +/- of anyone on the Suns team last night
:p
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
How'd he look on defense though?
"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.
Don't be hatin on the WNBA.
"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.
For some reason
I think some of the WNBA players are better than Rubio……
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Most amazing part of Robin's game . .
Was after head faking Bird, Bird jumped twice more and still managed to block his shots.
Al and Andre's less productive February
One thing that people here ought to take into consideration is that both Al and Andre have played at least 3 more games than anyone else on the team. Considering the tight and tough schedule lately those three more games make a huge difference.
Good point
Miller seems to still have flashes of dominance sprinkled in with the bad performances. Al, on the other hand, seems to be in the midst of a steady and slow decline.
When the roster gets healthy again next month, I think Al should sit some games to be rested. I’d love to have Al ready and raring to go for the playoffs, know what I mean?
Is your love worth the nausea it could bring?
"Big" Al
Has Al put on weight since the beginning of the season? Maybe just because he has slowed down he seems bigger.
He appears injured again.
His shooting hand is wrapped up like mad. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear he has more issues.
Chucker Alert
Don’t have the time but I believe that Rudy, Big Al and Corey Brewer are shooting miserably from beyond the arc. Why doesn’t someone tell them to take better shots? Brewer and Big Al came from terrible teams that got beat consistently because of all the clankers and they are doing it again to the Nuggets. Too bad about Rudy. This guy can really shoot and I wish he could pull out of it.
"When I played, this is how I liked to play," Karl said. "It’s a combination of North Carolina, Phoenix Suns, Doug Moe. There is a commitment to running all the time."
Smith's mistakes throughout the series have bothered Karl. "And then, of course the one with eight seconds to go, from 50 feet," Karl said. "I just love the dignity of the game being insulted right in front of me."
by Plea for Intelligence on Feb 15, 2012 10:56 AM MST reply actions
Agree on Al
I wish he would cut occassionally. He get almost all of his offense either off spot up threes or kick out to him and drives.
Corey is the best cutter on the team of the primerter players (Nene probably best overall) so I don’t have a problem with his three and at the rim shots . . his hands aren’t great, but I am pretty happy with him overall.
Rudy is what he is . . a less crazy JR. Don’t expect it to change a ton this year.
excellent point
Jordan Hamilton is technically the best .500 on 3 of 6 from downtown. Brewer is second with 39.4% on 13 of 33 from downtown.
Part of it is that Karl's system is predicated
on two types of shots – shots at the rim and three point shots. I agree that sometimes we appear to be taking bad shots from deep, but a lot of the time, those shots are open and we’re just not making them. I would hazard that some of it is fatigue from the grueling schedule in February, but part of it also is that the entire team has been in a shooting slump. Rudy shot well last night, and has shown flashes here and there of becoming more reliable from deep (aside: I love him curling off a down screen and popping from the ft line area). Al is regressing to the mean, but I think that he is showing the fatigue of the schedule more than anyone except perhaps ‘Dre. He just doesn’t have the lift or explosion he showed earlier in the year. As far as Brewer, he is definitely a streak shooter. When he makes a couple, his confidence soars and he’s liable to go off. When he misses early, he is likely to have a chucker night.
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
I saw one for SDcat today
LSHMSFOAIDMT
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 11:11 AM MST reply actions
Lincoln should have made some federal oversight allowing individual demands mediated today?
I got nuthin
Just don't hold on to the damn basketball!!!
Hint
the last T is involved when the nuggets score 110 points.
Formerly KS and CS
by ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown on Feb 15, 2012 11:15 AM MST up reply actions
I just want to know why he's looking at his fists
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
They aren't fists
They are naked hand puppets telling him things.
Is your love worth the nausea it could bring?
by Fly Agaric on Feb 15, 2012 11:37 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
That look like fists?
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
What would you expect
A hand puppet without clothes to look like?
Is your love worth the nausea it could bring?
a naked president of the USA
zing on politicians!
Well he is looking at them in a certain way
that is mildly uncomfortable
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Of course he is looking at them like that
They are naked!
Is your love worth the nausea it could bring?
Because he is Italian
any further questions are no longer required
"Weltmeister!!" Zwei mal: 2010-2011...und weiter gehts
after watching that
you only want to know why he’s looking at his fists? There are so many other questions that must be answered.
But that stood out for me as more odd than the rest
Jason Hammel - permanently /2011'd
Happy Now?!
OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
PLAY INDEX + IS THE BEST THING
Oh my god if you are in any way a stats geek like me you have to check this out:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/plus/
I made a fanpost about it, but it is BEYOND awesome. What an amazing tool.
future signs of nuggets success. The sign of the hamburger...on the bench.
If Buckets is playing less than 20 minutes and not playing during “closing” time you will know that we have arrived. This means that are offense is strong enough with Ty, Nene,Gallo and Chandler to not need his scoring and that Mosgov/Koufus have arrived to the point of Karl being confident in their play. Also Karl would have finally blasted through his stubbornness to sit him down. We can’t have this guy playing PF and Nene at C to be a serious contender.
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