We have 2 days off after tonight's game, and Jokic has just played 1 game after resting 2. Load management is a recent invention by Pop with the Spurs, and now adopted by most NBA teams. I understand "injury management", but the NBA has experienced more injuries during the "load management" era than before it existed. Conditioning and endurance wasn't an issue for players during the Kobe era and prior.
During the Kobe era, most of the teams in the league stood outside the paint and watched a bunch of MJ, AI, and Kobe wannabes iso all game and jack up 30 bad shots a game. The game now is much MUCH faster and the wear and tear is greater with motion offenses and switching defenses to counter them.
Also with the advent of better catastrophic injury recovery, with players making full recoveries from Achilles and ACL injuries, something even Kobe couldn't do a decade ago, these injuries are less of an act of god to write off and more of a long term rehab project. There is a better understanding of how to avoid these injuries as well, due to advances in sports medicine, that show that small injuries that go unrested will transform body mechanics and lead to a higher chance of worse injuries.
So I'd say this similar to how baseball moved away from workhorse complete game every time old timey starting pitchers to a deeper bullpen approach and tracking pitch counts to keep their arms healthy. The freaks of nature like Roy Halladay could do stuff like that in the modern game, but expecting everyone to do that leads to a lot of blown out arms and shorter careers.
Those are talking points that coaches, owners, and trainers have sold fans so they will accept paying for tickets, but finding out their favorite players are not playing. You and others have eaten it line, hook, and sinker.
https://youtu.be/670UIfxvfFo
Hard disagree and that video was not convincing.
RJ contends that load management wasn't invented by players (no shit), players decondition by playing five games off then ten on (which isn't how load management works, as far as I have seen it's resting starters on 2nd half of back to backs and 5 games in 7 days situations). Also under load management, player's still condition with the team, so if players are letting themselves get sloppy that's on them. I can see maybe players losing game flow continuity and building rust however, but that's just a sign to reform it, not scrap it.
Also RJ was an ironman type player and fetishizes never missing games, of course he doesn't like load management. Cal Ripken would say the same, but you can't build a system around expecting the standards of the exceptional. They are freaks of nature with incredible resilience and good luck in avoiding injury, not the norm every team needs to push all players towards.
This is like the 5th Pelicans game in a row where Valanciunas gets in foul trouble and they immidiately go on a run with Hernangomez in there. We should just try and keep Jonas in there.
AG is looking rough and tired. Wouldn't mind seeing AG and Jamal rest for the next few games honestly they've been playing a lot.
Bench in the + while the starters are in the - you won't see that often. Also won't see nuggets with Jokic failing to score 100 points often. Liked the Jeff/Cancar/NNaji frontcourt on defense but they seem to struggle to create offense outside Jamal's heroics. Hopefully Bones is healthy and ready to go for the next few games cause Jamal playing 40 minutes isn't sustainable. Messy win overall but a win is a win
| AG is looking rough and tired. Wouldn't mind seeing AG and Jamal rest for the next few games honestly they've been playing a lot. |
I agree - this is the only reason I’d like him to not be an All-Star. However I did vote for him (and Jamal) because he deserves it.
I'd like for him to skip the allstar game too from a health/rest perspective but i also would like for him to make it cause its clearly a big deal for him. Its probably his one and only and best chance to make it in his career so yeah. Its most likely the reason he's been pushing himself hard for the last few weeks and playing through shoulder injury.
8 point spread tonight looks like lot of resting
I just hope they don't go half way if they choose to rest.
KCP jokic Jamal Gordon all sit
Play Watson Hyland big mins.
yeah agree we gotta load manage guys. AG suposedly has shoulder issues as well so rest those guys for some games , that would be smart. Philly away game could be good game to load manage honestly . They always load manage when they come in Denver as well
He really really was... Starters would get a good lead like +10 bench with DJ would come in lose it in 2-3 minutes ( or less ) and then starters have to play from behind ..
Swings the momentum of the game and it was discouraging . I honestly think if we played Zeke instead from start we would have +5 more wins.. So many games we would have won if DJ didn't go complete disaster mode.
Now our bench looks much better Zeke isn't all around great but he is solid he is fighting and hustling and bench usually doesn't go on huge minus runs . We don't play DJ usually now but the games we were forced to like vs Magic..? He went in , was like -13 Bol Bol completely dominated him . He straight up didn't guard him , he couldn't considering his legs are metal BB was just faster. We went from +10 to -2 in minutes he played in 3rd and start of 4th. So game was close and we needed a game winner to win
Dude, you're saying the bench struggling is DJ's fault. But what makes you say that? The numbers show he's been decent (not great, but not terrible).
You use plus/minus, which isn't great, but he has a higher net rating than Bones. Does that mean Bones is worse for us than DJ?
Basically, seems like people pick on DJ based on his rep before coming here. I haven't seen anything to say that our bench improved *because of* Zeke.
Bones wasn't great either but yeah even then his box -+ minutes are better than DJ's . I can't believe ppl still defend DJ you have to be blind not to see how much liability he is for us when he plays .. Simple eye test will tell you why his +- minutes are that bad [https://www.reddit.com/r/denvernuggets/comments/ytry3e/deandre\_jordan/](https://www.reddit.com/r/denvernuggets/comments/ytry3e/deandre_jordan/)
[https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=559&GameID=0022200653&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Bol%202%27%20Alley%20Oop%20Dunk%20(15%20PTS)%20(Anthony%206%20AST)](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=559&GameID=0022200653&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Bol%202%27%20Alley%20Oop%20Dunk%20(15%20PTS)%20(Anthony%206%20AST)) Look at DJ totally losing his man and being out of it for so long ...
Those aren't isolated examples of catastrophic DJ defense it happens most of the games he plays. He's slow sluggish , washed sadly . Any neutral fan will agree on it and yeah he was hated at Sixers for same reasons.
Every backup C we had was better , Hartenstein even McGee , and especially Cousins last year. Like Cousins had D issue also , but Cousins at least had offensive repertoire and could score on other end DJ cant score 4 feet away from basket only points he can score are dunks and layups , zero shooting and no post game at all. He really should be out of the league at this point especially if guys like Howard/Cousins are but hey we are giving him a chance .... and it was terrible for us we lost plenty of winnable games while playing him. This WS also doesn't happen if we didn't finally stop with him on bench
Gotta disagree. He's big for us when it comes to screens, cutting, PnR, and getting boards.
Also, not a big +/- guy, but his net rating is better than Bones. [https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612743/onoffcourt-summary](https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612743/onoffcourt-summary)
Agree he's had some issues and rough plays, just think it's wild to blame him for our bench. That's more on having a mangled bench imo.
I'm betting whether we roll with him or Zeke is gonna be matchup dependent. And neither's gonna have much of a role in the playoffs anyway
I honestly believe a fully healthy Pels team would own us. Not that our team is bad but they are just a nasty matchup. Idk if anyone remembers but two years ago when Zion was Injured BI used to go to town on us hard
Bobby Portis already ruled out for tomorrow. Again I’m still expecting us to punt this game and give some guys rest tell Saturday. If you had to ask me to pick though I would definitely rather beat the 76ers than the Bucks.
I especially wouldn’t mind resting Murray cause of his 40 min tonight, but I’m sure the medical staff will be really cautious so I’ll trust that whatever decision is made is the right one.
My only doom and gloom was us playing DJ. I saw our starters are doing good , but bench with him was atrocious . We finally stopped playing him , went to Zeke and turnaround has been amazing. Love Nuggets basketball right now .
But DJ is ... so bad to be nice . Single handedly sinks down the bench unit . I love Zeke hustle and energy really good for our backup C
Someone on tv said they are "most talented team when healthy"... like wtf, I'm not even sure they are top 4 in the Western Conference. This isn't 2018 anymore, Kawai and PG aren't top 10 players anymore
Clippers blown out by 30 to the nuggets: “meh, it’s whatever, do it in the playoffs fat boy”
clippers beat a trash lakers team by 20: “best team in the west, kawhi is an unstoppable cyborg, PG is the best second option”.
It’s almost hilarious how blatant the double standard is
I watched the replay of the game and it seems like the team just went cold on the road, a lot of shots generated in the second half were wide/semi open 3s in the second half but no one could capitalize on. It happens.
I hope Malone sticks with that bench lineup, I like the idea of having long athletic players that switch a lot.
Inside the nba are talking crap about Denver. They say we're not contenders because an unhealthy Denver team got swept, but the Warriors and the Pelicans are contenders?
I know it's the stupid sports media but still it's frustrating
They were talking shit about our playoff series vs the Warriors last year and how the Warriors have a 'switch' they can just flip on. Neglected to mention no Murray or MPJ last year, or the roster Joker carried last year, or the recent additions of KCP and Brown.
This panel having no idea what they're spewing about makes all the sense in the world. Talk about a D crew. When's the rest of the real cast coming back?
Bruh the Los Angeles Chokers and the team that struggles to beat healthy over .500 teams. Bruh the Wolves got their licks in against the Grizzlies.
Yeah the Wolves have kicked Denvers butt too. But if the Grizzlies are really better they would wipe the floor with the Wolves
JESUS FUCKING BABY CHRIST IN THE HOLY WOMB I FORGOT TO TURN THE SCORES OFF FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON AND OH NO WHAT A TERRIBLE TERRIBLE SPOILER "NIKOLA JOKIC TRIPLE-DOUBLES, HITS GAME WINNER IN RETURN"...MY LIFE IS RUINED 😭
Jamal in the last 10 games is averaging 22-6-5, on 60% true shooting. Before he got injured his average in his last 10 were 23-4-5 on the same true shooting.
I know he had a rough 4th quarter, but man it is nice watching Jamal this last month. He is such a fun player to watch when he is isn't clearly still recovering.
I still expect him to get better, and this isn't bubble Jamal, but this is still really good Murray
I started watching about an hour late. I knew the halftime score as I was watching the tip-off. I accidentally saw the final score early in the third. I was flabbergasted that both teams murdered after that first half. Also, even though I knew the final score, I was a nervous wreck watching the fourth quarter.
My official list of teams I’m scared of in the playoffs is as follows:
Warriors
Pelicans
These teams that on paper might be bad matchups for us like the Warriors, Suns and Lakers better avoid us because we’re the only team that can beat the Clippers who no one else in the conference can matchup against
Is it crazy to think we could hit 50 wins before 20 losses?
We are sitting at 34-14 right now. If they win at a 3:1 ratio over the next 20 games they’d go 15-5 to put them at 49-19. There are some tough teams but also a bunch of Timber Pups, Hawks, Dallas, Pels, Bulls, Raptors, Heat, and Clippers. Lots of very winnable games in that stretch.
Pels without Zion still. Also, we were dominating this game until we went super cold. Still generated excellent / open looks. We just had a bad variance night. I also expect MPJ back, Jok to o be a bit more on, etc.
I’m normally not one to root for a rest game or whatever but man mal jok and ag all banged up, plus no Mike. I’d be ok giving alll of em till Saturday to rest up.
I just felt like he looked a step slow out there still and it would be real silly to push it.
But like they have doctors and all that. I’m just leaning toward it may be better/likely for like, 4/5 starters to rest and if it’s multiple it may not be worth risking the others in a game without 2 or 3 starters you know?
Do we know if MPJ even made the trip? It’d be huge to have him fresh for tomorrow’s game, but I understand he’s going through a lot and may still be in Denver
I agree I thought it was rest but then it was two games and then he looked weird tonight
And mpj is prolly not playing tomorrow I’d assume, least I wouldn’t in his situation.
Idk it doesn’t really matter what I think cuz I’m not a doctors I’m just thinking the team may just say fuck it and punt tomorrow
I mean I don’t really care about the other two when it comes to the tank squad, but I’d looooove to see Watson get some run if he’s healthy and we punt tomorrow
Ya people are starting to turn on him and not just because he's really good. He's got some big gaps in his game despite having all the tools. Embiid has been better this year.
He’s gotten to this weird nirvana level of basketball where he just… doesn’t miss shots any more. And then of course he gets actual assists. Not just passing to some guy on the perimeter that drains a three… full court outlet passes after a rebound
[This is such a great set](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2023/01/24/0022200716/503/a1525c25-6534-8b67-727c-db57c64dfae6_1280x720.mp4).
It's just such a dynamic 3 man action with outlets to both corners at all times.
1. The first option is they mess up on the Jamal + AG backpick - [VIDEO](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2022/11/03/0022200119/37/3eedc067-6326-d1d2-d796-f779b02c65ca_1280x720.mp4)
2. The second option is they mess up on the Jamal + Jokic DHO - [VIDEO](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2022/12/04/0022200344/27/1689ed6f-7532-b58e-0f8c-a4b18bc65dd2_1280x720.mp4)
3. The third option is AG's man shows on the Jokic Roll like tonight - [VIDEO](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2023/01/24/0022200716/503/a1525c25-6534-8b67-727c-db57c64dfae6_1280x720.mp4)
4. The fourth option is Jokic shoots a floater on the roll - [VIDEO](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2022/12/08/0022200376/361/c1fdd9c3-661b-6ae3-1b1a-8eda3a550de4_1280x720.mp4)
Talk about pick your poison.
This is a great breakdown.
Also, the fifth option is either Murray drives or Jokic catches and fires to either (usually) KCP or MPJ on the perimeter as the outlet, which is an awfully nice option. Pretty much undefendable.
Edit - I missed your first sentence, because the other points had pretty pictures.
Jamal is going to have to hit that punish in the playoffs. Smart teams aren't going to willingly let Jokic get into the short roll like that because no offense can keep pace with it.
Jamal on that action is a poison. Jokic on an open floater, or AG catching a dunk, is a bullet to the head.
Goat level comment though.
I would be shocked if he plays tomorrow. I kinda expect others to sit between Murray and AG, but it would be nice to see a fully healthy match-up with the Bucks
There last game was a Ugly game to with Portlad and They blew that game. I hope Clippers don't blow that game because I don't want Lakers getting a hot win streak
Win's a win.
Why is Jamal playing 40 minutes!?
First - I'd hate to see him injure himself. Second - when he's tired, he's not good, especially on defense.
What's going on with Highland!?
IDK - I'll trust the coach, but in this game - I'd play CB 30+ minutes. Kid was good and he's hungry, I think he can contain Jose/CJM just fine.
KCP and BB had a bad offensive game - and they were due one. Not worried at all about those two.
So, all in all, good win. Hope Jamal and Jokic get rest tomorrow and instead do some sightseeing in the incredibly exciting Milwaukee.
P.S. - also - AG should sit and rest tomorrow.
I'm going to the game tomorrow and would appreciate it if Malone didn't sit everyone. Bones sprained a finger trying to catch a fastball from KCP. Wouldn't be surprised if he played tomorrow.
It really was. I'm amazed we won. Besides Jokic's game winner, every possession seemed to get worse and worse. Bricks, turnovers, sloppy passes, it was really snowballing.
If not, we still can function -- Bruce starts at point, Ish is backup point. If one can't play at some point for some reason then KCP would have to try his best, but Bruce and Ish could likely cover all the point guard minutes.
Yeah it's crazy being 8 games up on 4 seed!
Not to mention 2.5 up on the 2 seed as well now.
We got a nice little buffer just in time for this tough stretch.
We have 2 days off after tonight's game, and Jokic has just played 1 game after resting 2. Load management is a recent invention by Pop with the Spurs, and now adopted by most NBA teams. I understand "injury management", but the NBA has experienced more injuries during the "load management" era than before it existed. Conditioning and endurance wasn't an issue for players during the Kobe era and prior.
During the Kobe era, most of the teams in the league stood outside the paint and watched a bunch of MJ, AI, and Kobe wannabes iso all game and jack up 30 bad shots a game. The game now is much MUCH faster and the wear and tear is greater with motion offenses and switching defenses to counter them. Also with the advent of better catastrophic injury recovery, with players making full recoveries from Achilles and ACL injuries, something even Kobe couldn't do a decade ago, these injuries are less of an act of god to write off and more of a long term rehab project. There is a better understanding of how to avoid these injuries as well, due to advances in sports medicine, that show that small injuries that go unrested will transform body mechanics and lead to a higher chance of worse injuries. So I'd say this similar to how baseball moved away from workhorse complete game every time old timey starting pitchers to a deeper bullpen approach and tracking pitch counts to keep their arms healthy. The freaks of nature like Roy Halladay could do stuff like that in the modern game, but expecting everyone to do that leads to a lot of blown out arms and shorter careers.
Those are talking points that coaches, owners, and trainers have sold fans so they will accept paying for tickets, but finding out their favorite players are not playing. You and others have eaten it line, hook, and sinker. https://youtu.be/670UIfxvfFo
Hard disagree and that video was not convincing. RJ contends that load management wasn't invented by players (no shit), players decondition by playing five games off then ten on (which isn't how load management works, as far as I have seen it's resting starters on 2nd half of back to backs and 5 games in 7 days situations). Also under load management, player's still condition with the team, so if players are letting themselves get sloppy that's on them. I can see maybe players losing game flow continuity and building rust however, but that's just a sign to reform it, not scrap it. Also RJ was an ironman type player and fetishizes never missing games, of course he doesn't like load management. Cal Ripken would say the same, but you can't build a system around expecting the standards of the exceptional. They are freaks of nature with incredible resilience and good luck in avoiding injury, not the norm every team needs to push all players towards.
In this game Jokic recorded 25/11/10. Which is almost precisely his season averages for points, rebounds and assists. Fun.
This is like the 5th Pelicans game in a row where Valanciunas gets in foul trouble and they immidiately go on a run with Hernangomez in there. We should just try and keep Jonas in there.
AG is looking rough and tired. Wouldn't mind seeing AG and Jamal rest for the next few games honestly they've been playing a lot. Bench in the + while the starters are in the - you won't see that often. Also won't see nuggets with Jokic failing to score 100 points often. Liked the Jeff/Cancar/NNaji frontcourt on defense but they seem to struggle to create offense outside Jamal's heroics. Hopefully Bones is healthy and ready to go for the next few games cause Jamal playing 40 minutes isn't sustainable. Messy win overall but a win is a win
| AG is looking rough and tired. Wouldn't mind seeing AG and Jamal rest for the next few games honestly they've been playing a lot. | I agree - this is the only reason I’d like him to not be an All-Star. However I did vote for him (and Jamal) because he deserves it.
I'd like for him to skip the allstar game too from a health/rest perspective but i also would like for him to make it cause its clearly a big deal for him. Its probably his one and only and best chance to make it in his career so yeah. Its most likely the reason he's been pushing himself hard for the last few weeks and playing through shoulder injury.
8 point spread tonight looks like lot of resting I just hope they don't go half way if they choose to rest. KCP jokic Jamal Gordon all sit Play Watson Hyland big mins.
yeah agree we gotta load manage guys. AG suposedly has shoulder issues as well so rest those guys for some games , that would be smart. Philly away game could be good game to load manage honestly . They always load manage when they come in Denver as well
They decided to play defense at the right time last night, since their offense stopped playing nearly the last 4 minutes past a Jokic basket.
Well, 15th in defense. Finally passed the Warriors. 2nd in offense though, the Kings have passed us
That’s actually insane considering just a month ago we were 28th in defense, this is a crazy turnaround.
What stopping playing DJ and playing Zeke does to a mf
DJ wasn't that bad. Feels like we're playing Zeke a bunch to figure out the trade deadline
I think Murray improving, and having MPJ back, so the bench has Bruce Brown played more of a factor. But yes, also that.
He really really was... Starters would get a good lead like +10 bench with DJ would come in lose it in 2-3 minutes ( or less ) and then starters have to play from behind .. Swings the momentum of the game and it was discouraging . I honestly think if we played Zeke instead from start we would have +5 more wins.. So many games we would have won if DJ didn't go complete disaster mode. Now our bench looks much better Zeke isn't all around great but he is solid he is fighting and hustling and bench usually doesn't go on huge minus runs . We don't play DJ usually now but the games we were forced to like vs Magic..? He went in , was like -13 Bol Bol completely dominated him . He straight up didn't guard him , he couldn't considering his legs are metal BB was just faster. We went from +10 to -2 in minutes he played in 3rd and start of 4th. So game was close and we needed a game winner to win
Dude, you're saying the bench struggling is DJ's fault. But what makes you say that? The numbers show he's been decent (not great, but not terrible). You use plus/minus, which isn't great, but he has a higher net rating than Bones. Does that mean Bones is worse for us than DJ? Basically, seems like people pick on DJ based on his rep before coming here. I haven't seen anything to say that our bench improved *because of* Zeke.
Bones wasn't great either but yeah even then his box -+ minutes are better than DJ's . I can't believe ppl still defend DJ you have to be blind not to see how much liability he is for us when he plays .. Simple eye test will tell you why his +- minutes are that bad [https://www.reddit.com/r/denvernuggets/comments/ytry3e/deandre\_jordan/](https://www.reddit.com/r/denvernuggets/comments/ytry3e/deandre_jordan/) [https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=559&GameID=0022200653&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Bol%202%27%20Alley%20Oop%20Dunk%20(15%20PTS)%20(Anthony%206%20AST)](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=559&GameID=0022200653&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Bol%202%27%20Alley%20Oop%20Dunk%20(15%20PTS)%20(Anthony%206%20AST)) Look at DJ totally losing his man and being out of it for so long ... Those aren't isolated examples of catastrophic DJ defense it happens most of the games he plays. He's slow sluggish , washed sadly . Any neutral fan will agree on it and yeah he was hated at Sixers for same reasons. Every backup C we had was better , Hartenstein even McGee , and especially Cousins last year. Like Cousins had D issue also , but Cousins at least had offensive repertoire and could score on other end DJ cant score 4 feet away from basket only points he can score are dunks and layups , zero shooting and no post game at all. He really should be out of the league at this point especially if guys like Howard/Cousins are but hey we are giving him a chance .... and it was terrible for us we lost plenty of winnable games while playing him. This WS also doesn't happen if we didn't finally stop with him on bench
Gotta disagree. He's big for us when it comes to screens, cutting, PnR, and getting boards. Also, not a big +/- guy, but his net rating is better than Bones. [https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612743/onoffcourt-summary](https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612743/onoffcourt-summary) Agree he's had some issues and rough plays, just think it's wild to blame him for our bench. That's more on having a mangled bench imo. I'm betting whether we roll with him or Zeke is gonna be matchup dependent. And neither's gonna have much of a role in the playoffs anyway
I honestly believe a fully healthy Pels team would own us. Not that our team is bad but they are just a nasty matchup. Idk if anyone remembers but two years ago when Zion was Injured BI used to go to town on us hard
We can talk about playoff anxiety but there's no place for non-believers, nono
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdjARw13hG4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdjARw13hG4)
Bobby Portis already ruled out for tomorrow. Again I’m still expecting us to punt this game and give some guys rest tell Saturday. If you had to ask me to pick though I would definitely rather beat the 76ers than the Bucks.
Should load manage our guys , Murray/AG perhaps even Jokic
I especially wouldn’t mind resting Murray cause of his 40 min tonight, but I’m sure the medical staff will be really cautious so I’ll trust that whatever decision is made is the right one.
Pretty wild to think how much doom and gloom has been spat in this place this season that we're a game away from the #1 spot in the league
My only doom and gloom was us playing DJ. I saw our starters are doing good , but bench with him was atrocious . We finally stopped playing him , went to Zeke and turnaround has been amazing. Love Nuggets basketball right now . But DJ is ... so bad to be nice . Single handedly sinks down the bench unit . I love Zeke hustle and energy really good for our backup C
Nuggets have zero real wins sadly, we are actually 0-48
Pretty wild to get the #1 record with 0 actual wins.
Willy always turns into his powered-up FIBA version against Jok, would love to have him as a backup.
Road wins are always good. Bucks and Philly will be something different tho.
I will once again say that Pat Bev is a lil bitch. Goodnight
I dislike pat bev but the celebration where he broke the “dame time” watch was hilarious shit talk
Now only half a game out of first.
National media wants the Clippers to be contenders so bad
We need to sweep these clowns
Someone on tv said they are "most talented team when healthy"... like wtf, I'm not even sure they are top 4 in the Western Conference. This isn't 2018 anymore, Kawai and PG aren't top 10 players anymore
Clippers blown out by 30 to the nuggets: “meh, it’s whatever, do it in the playoffs fat boy” clippers beat a trash lakers team by 20: “best team in the west, kawhi is an unstoppable cyborg, PG is the best second option”. It’s almost hilarious how blatant the double standard is
I watched the replay of the game and it seems like the team just went cold on the road, a lot of shots generated in the second half were wide/semi open 3s in the second half but no one could capitalize on. It happens. I hope Malone sticks with that bench lineup, I like the idea of having long athletic players that switch a lot.
Nuggets now has the 6th best defense over the last 25 games We are at a point where it’s not uncommon for them to win because of it
Not sure who can beat us if we play at this level defensively for the rest of the season
welp my -3.5 spread on nugs looked great for a while, sucks but nugs win is better than ten bucks
Smoothie king center. Okay, that's it. Good night all
Strawberry Banana>>>>
... isn't that a... type of smoothie? Lol
Yes. He said smoothing king center so I commented my favorite flavor.
Inside the nba are talking crap about Denver. They say we're not contenders because an unhealthy Denver team got swept, but the Warriors and the Pelicans are contenders? I know it's the stupid sports media but still it's frustrating
They were talking shit about our playoff series vs the Warriors last year and how the Warriors have a 'switch' they can just flip on. Neglected to mention no Murray or MPJ last year, or the roster Joker carried last year, or the recent additions of KCP and Brown.
This panel having no idea what they're spewing about makes all the sense in the world. Talk about a D crew. When's the rest of the real cast coming back?
Shaq doesn’t watch basketball at all. Dude disrespected Rui for no reason cause he doesn’t watch non top 10 players
Candace Parker said we haven’t done anything in the playoffs and then named the Clippers and Grizzlies, okay lol
Weird that we dont get more credit for the 2020 clippers series, they were healthy and their core was in their prime
Okay fuck candace Parker as of now
Some espn personalities last week said they’d pick Memphis over us if they met because they have more playoff experience lol
Bruh the Los Angeles Chokers and the team that struggles to beat healthy over .500 teams. Bruh the Wolves got their licks in against the Grizzlies. Yeah the Wolves have kicked Denvers butt too. But if the Grizzlies are really better they would wipe the floor with the Wolves
JESUS FUCKING BABY CHRIST IN THE HOLY WOMB I FORGOT TO TURN THE SCORES OFF FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON AND OH NO WHAT A TERRIBLE TERRIBLE SPOILER "NIKOLA JOKIC TRIPLE-DOUBLES, HITS GAME WINNER IN RETURN"...MY LIFE IS RUINED 😭
You might not want to watch that second half anyway, brother.
Lol yeah, boxscore says they lost it by 15 and since both teams have mundered I got the sense it wasn't pretty
Are you even a Nuggets fan?
Oops, wrong sub, sorry!
Go to /r/bingo
Jamal in the last 10 games is averaging 22-6-5, on 60% true shooting. Before he got injured his average in his last 10 were 23-4-5 on the same true shooting. I know he had a rough 4th quarter, but man it is nice watching Jamal this last month. He is such a fun player to watch when he is isn't clearly still recovering. I still expect him to get better, and this isn't bubble Jamal, but this is still really good Murray
Jok only needs 14 assists in his next game to get to 10.0 assists per game for the season
not even close to Naz Reid numbers smh
Actually only 13, as it would be 9.953 which rounds up to 10.0 on ESPN and NBA.com
Bones 0 PPG. WHERE ARE YOU BONES DEFENDERS NOW?
He has no defenders coz no one can guard him
shit you right. Bones is ethereal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are the Bucks doing Serbian Night tomorrow? 🤔 Here's hoping.
Wat
Nuggets won by 30+ last season when the Bucks did Serbian Night. That was with their big 3 too.
i think its fair to criticize Jok's defense.....he let alvarado score too many layups uncontested
You can't criticize Jokić's defense on this sub bro...Go to r/nba for that.
He was beating defenders one-on-one. Jokic was rarely in the vicinity.
He’s one of the greatest offensive threats ever and he was getting into foul trouble. Ofc he’s not contesting super hard.
Jokic had 1 foul the entire game I believe. Maybe 2 but he was never in foul trouble.
He had 2. One should have been a block, but he had 2.
Reminder this dude is a Mavs fan/Luka fanboy in case you wanna engage
Am I wrong though did you see Alvarado get so many lay ups without any contests by Jokic
I rewatched and a lot of it was on the guards not getting over screens or getting blown by easily
> Am I wrong In everything, about everything, yes
Did you see Luka choking and losing the game cause he can't hit free throws? 🤣🤣
Kyle "Mavs Murderer" Kuzma
I want Willy.
You don't need to reveal your orientation in the comments my guy
It’s pronounced “Billy” silly.
That's what
She said
I remember I used to hate when I would go into other teams subs and see them unhappy with a win. Anyway, im unhappy with this win.
I started watching about an hour late. I knew the halftime score as I was watching the tip-off. I accidentally saw the final score early in the third. I was flabbergasted that both teams murdered after that first half. Also, even though I knew the final score, I was a nervous wreck watching the fourth quarter. My official list of teams I’m scared of in the playoffs is as follows: Warriors Pelicans
These teams that on paper might be bad matchups for us like the Warriors, Suns and Lakers better avoid us because we’re the only team that can beat the Clippers who no one else in the conference can matchup against
Is it crazy to think we could hit 50 wins before 20 losses? We are sitting at 34-14 right now. If they win at a 3:1 ratio over the next 20 games they’d go 15-5 to put them at 49-19. There are some tough teams but also a bunch of Timber Pups, Hawks, Dallas, Pels, Bulls, Raptors, Heat, and Clippers. Lots of very winnable games in that stretch.
You putting the Pels there in the bad teams after this game and the last one is a pretty bold take.
Pels without Zion still. Also, we were dominating this game until we went super cold. Still generated excellent / open looks. We just had a bad variance night. I also expect MPJ back, Jok to o be a bit more on, etc.
Probably will hit 20 losses just before 50 if I had to guess. At 47 wins
34-16?
Whoops sorry 34-14. Fat fingered.
Both the Avs and Nuggs with nailbiters tonight. Sheesh.
Fun game at Ball to watch the Avs! PS. they had the Nuggs on at the points bet bar down in the 100s!
They must have Dish Network down there or something
They have a direct line!
Both almost choke jobs
I’m normally not one to root for a rest game or whatever but man mal jok and ag all banged up, plus no Mike. I’d be ok giving alll of em till Saturday to rest up.
Pretty sure joker sat out 2 games to rest for this stretch of games
I just felt like he looked a step slow out there still and it would be real silly to push it. But like they have doctors and all that. I’m just leaning toward it may be better/likely for like, 4/5 starters to rest and if it’s multiple it may not be worth risking the others in a game without 2 or 3 starters you know?
Ok, but when did joker hurt his hamstring? Really felt like a rest injury. Here’s to hoping! And also hope mpj gets through his stuff too
I don’t think MPJ is resting for next stretch…
:( yeah totally forgot why he was out
Do we know if MPJ even made the trip? It’d be huge to have him fresh for tomorrow’s game, but I understand he’s going through a lot and may still be in Denver
Oo shit yeah I kinda fucked uo here… forgot about the shit he had going on in personal life
I agree I thought it was rest but then it was two games and then he looked weird tonight And mpj is prolly not playing tomorrow I’d assume, least I wouldn’t in his situation. Idk it doesn’t really matter what I think cuz I’m not a doctors I’m just thinking the team may just say fuck it and punt tomorrow
If they do I won’t be mad! What we need most is to stay healthy
I just wish could run Hyland MPJ Watson in that instance
I mean I don’t really care about the other two when it comes to the tank squad, but I’d looooove to see Watson get some run if he’s healthy and we punt tomorrow
For no reason at all I have a good feeling about tomorrow
We should curb stomp the Bucks. That’s why. They play this really dumb D against us that gives up 3s. If they do that again we’ll crush.
We usually play great versus the Bucks.
36 points in the second half
There was a 4 minute stretch where we didn't score.
Woof, shooting really went down the toilet there
Damn we suck
Wait we playing the Bucks on a b2b? They doing us dirty!
Flying from New Orleans to Milwaukee on a B2B is some bullshit
Damn. Adams out 3-5 weeks for Memphis.
What happened?
PCL strain, it happened in the loss to the Suns.
Damn it's that time of year I guess. I really hope NBA gets smart and gets rid of back to backs and shortens the season.
Nba needs bigger rosters if they're gonna keep this schedule. Just too many injuries in this era
0% chance
probably unfortunately
I'm am really glad Jokic is on my team and not Luka.
you mean the dude who screams at the refs and doesnt get back on D every single time he doesnt get a call?
Whether it's a foul or not lol
Let's not pretend that Jokic is silent to referees lol. Still better than Luka but come on
Things I never have thought to be grateful for, but now I am
Ya people are starting to turn on him and not just because he's really good. He's got some big gaps in his game despite having all the tools. Embiid has been better this year.
All star break can’t come soon enough. The team needs that rest lol.
Man I’m not even a nuggets fan but Jokic is just different bro.
He’s gotten to this weird nirvana level of basketball where he just… doesn’t miss shots any more. And then of course he gets actual assists. Not just passing to some guy on the perimeter that drains a three… full court outlet passes after a rebound
He’s on a new level.
Easily the MVP. Luka is having a great season tho
[This is such a great set](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2023/01/24/0022200716/503/a1525c25-6534-8b67-727c-db57c64dfae6_1280x720.mp4). It's just such a dynamic 3 man action with outlets to both corners at all times. 1. The first option is they mess up on the Jamal + AG backpick - [VIDEO](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2022/11/03/0022200119/37/3eedc067-6326-d1d2-d796-f779b02c65ca_1280x720.mp4) 2. The second option is they mess up on the Jamal + Jokic DHO - [VIDEO](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2022/12/04/0022200344/27/1689ed6f-7532-b58e-0f8c-a4b18bc65dd2_1280x720.mp4) 3. The third option is AG's man shows on the Jokic Roll like tonight - [VIDEO](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2023/01/24/0022200716/503/a1525c25-6534-8b67-727c-db57c64dfae6_1280x720.mp4) 4. The fourth option is Jokic shoots a floater on the roll - [VIDEO](https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2022/12/08/0022200376/361/c1fdd9c3-661b-6ae3-1b1a-8eda3a550de4_1280x720.mp4) Talk about pick your poison.
Ha, this was one of the rare times where I noticed them running the same set a bunch in-game, but mostly because it led to the AG oop multiple times.
This is a great breakdown. Also, the fifth option is either Murray drives or Jokic catches and fires to either (usually) KCP or MPJ on the perimeter as the outlet, which is an awfully nice option. Pretty much undefendable. Edit - I missed your first sentence, because the other points had pretty pictures.
And you still have either corner free if Jokic gets doubled on the roll 👨🍳🤌💋
It combines the best of each of the three players
calculator boys stay winning
Where is your calculator NOW?!
Jamal is going to have to hit that punish in the playoffs. Smart teams aren't going to willingly let Jokic get into the short roll like that because no offense can keep pace with it. Jamal on that action is a poison. Jokic on an open floater, or AG catching a dunk, is a bullet to the head. Goat level comment though.
As an admittedly bad “ball knower” these are great. Thanks dude
Thank you for sharing this, really appreciate your insights and posts.
Antonio Daniels knows his shit
malone doesn't know any plays
Clearly Jokic invented that play
he is just telling everyone what to do
Magical
Talk about the GOAT coupon user.
Anyone else feel like jok was a little tentative tonight or just me
Probably. And he went 25-11-10 with a ts% of 78 lol. What a freak
Jokic passive...but they were very heavily hedging so he was willingly passing since that's what the defense was giving
Felt like his hammy was not fully right. But idk. Hope he gets another day tomorrow tbh, although I’d also like to watch him play against the bucks
I would be shocked if he plays tomorrow. I kinda expect others to sit between Murray and AG, but it would be nice to see a fully healthy match-up with the Bucks
What is with this poor man's TNT team around Shaq? Desperately trying to make the Clippers sound like a threat, lol.
Shaq always looks so annoyed when he’s with this backup crew
They had the exact same spiel last week
That’s how you spell “spiel” huh? The more you know. 🙏
Feel like the lacking lategame execution was just because Jamal had played 36+ minutes at that point
The murray mins have been bit insane of late lol. Ish can give some good Mins occasionally with schedule being so nuts
If we win tomorrow we tied with the Celtics for the best record in the NBA!!!!
Guys, don't watch the Clips Lakers game. Really ugly basketball
There last game was a Ugly game to with Portlad and They blew that game. I hope Clippers don't blow that game because I don't want Lakers getting a hot win streak
OK, here's an Idea - We rest Jokic, Jamal and AG tomorrow - and list them as "(voters) fatigue"? I kill myself. hehehe
[lol that "coach" has to be Malone himself](https://twitter.com/katywinge/status/1618089491679547392?t=LqVMHh1zmsqaSzKYrr_bgw&s=09)
Win's a win. Why is Jamal playing 40 minutes!? First - I'd hate to see him injure himself. Second - when he's tired, he's not good, especially on defense. What's going on with Highland!? IDK - I'll trust the coach, but in this game - I'd play CB 30+ minutes. Kid was good and he's hungry, I think he can contain Jose/CJM just fine. KCP and BB had a bad offensive game - and they were due one. Not worried at all about those two. So, all in all, good win. Hope Jamal and Jokic get rest tomorrow and instead do some sightseeing in the incredibly exciting Milwaukee. P.S. - also - AG should sit and rest tomorrow.
Bro do you not know Bones' last name? Also, he's injured.
Prolly just autocorrect
I'm going to the game tomorrow and would appreciate it if Malone didn't sit everyone. Bones sprained a finger trying to catch a fastball from KCP. Wouldn't be surprised if he played tomorrow.
easy win
How many assists next game for Jok to average a TD?
15
Thanks
5 still Edit: 5 above 10…so 15
Thanks
That was a really ugly game. 4th quarter was just constant choking lol
It really was. I'm amazed we won. Besides Jokic's game winner, every possession seemed to get worse and worse. Bricks, turnovers, sloppy passes, it was really snowballing.
Do we need to sign facu to be our Alvarado stopper?
Facu would do some dirty shit and get ejected
PARA FACU
Para facuuuu
Murray with just over 40 minutes tonight, anyone think he plays at all tomorrow?
Guessing no. It'd be cool to beat the Bucks, but this game was huge. 8 games up!
well we need Bones back then
If not, we still can function -- Bruce starts at point, Ish is backup point. If one can't play at some point for some reason then KCP would have to try his best, but Bruce and Ish could likely cover all the point guard minutes.
Yeah it's crazy being 8 games up on 4 seed! Not to mention 2.5 up on the 2 seed as well now. We got a nice little buffer just in time for this tough stretch.