(Boulder-CO) Call it a combination of the NBA’s best team playing a ridiculously disheveled one and you’re bound to end with a sum somewhere between a beating and a trouncing. As I predicted, the Nuggets ran into a buzz saw in the Dallas Mavericks and lost, 115-95. Now Denver is two games below .500 with a record of 26-28, and they have lost eleven of their last fourteen games including their last four straight.
Redundantly, the Nuggets got little to no help offensively from anyone but Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. ‘Melo finished the game’s high-scorer with 34 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, but is still not taking proper care of the basketball as he turned over the rock seven times. Allen Iverson was also having problems making sound decisions with the basketball finishing with 26 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, a block and nine sloppy turnovers. In total the Nuggets coughed up the leather 23 times resulting in 20 Maverick points.
The only other reliable support came from Marcus Camby. The Captain had a nice game tonight with a game-high 17 rebounds, ten points, four steals, two blocks, and seven assists.
As a team it is still defensively where the Nuggets are struggling the worst, and it is no surprise that as they struggle on one end of the floor they can’t get anything going on offense either. Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and Jerry Stackhouse all had solid games with the trio combining for 74 points on 28 of 55 shooting. Dallas got good looks at the basket, numerous second chances on eleven offensive rebounds, and consequentially shot a smoking 51 percent from the field. Very rarely do the Nuggets turn and box out their man and teams are going to continue to feast on their inability to start their fast break with the simplest execution of fundamental concepts.
On offense, the Nuggets are guilty of standing around and watching AI and ‘Melo, and both AI and ‘Melo are guilty of pounding and suffocating the air out of the ball. Too many times Allen Iverson comes down the floor and dominates the shoot clock dribbling around the perimeter instead of making a quick pass, moving without the ball, and sometimes getting it back in a better position to score off a pass. Because of this I feel that the other Nuggets are not feeling involved in the offense and get caught standing around in observation. ‘Melo too is guilty of receiving the ball on the wing and working too much shot clock jab stepping and ball faking. I would like to see him receive the ball, turn and face, and make his move. If after he takes a quick look at any double team on the way, the defensive position, and his teammates there has to be decision made quicker and with more precision.
The Nuggets are off tomorrow night, but face the struggling Memphis Grizzlies on Monday in what is a must win game. The Grizz are 15-42 on the year despite coming off a win against the Trailblazers on Friday night. Any sort of confidence right now would go a long way for the Nuggets. Even if it is in the form of good practice tomorrow. You have to start somewhere, and after the looks of tonight's loss, square one would probably be a wise place for George Karl and staff to begin.
3 comments:
As a long time Jazz fan, I have to say your site is very informative and it's good to see that the Nugz fans are sticking to their team even though they are having a rough time. I think everyone is surprised how poorly the Nuggs are playing right now but keep in mind the Jazz had a rough last year and we pretty much have the same roster. It took a year before we had chemistry and I have no doubt Denver will be back to where they should be next year. I welcome the rivalry and always look forward to seeing my Jazz beat some nugs!
Keep supporting your team, things will change and I'm sure the true fans will see this through.
nananana,
There isn't just one thing that I can point at and say, "Just do this..." because the Nuggets are showing a lot of places where fundamental concepts are not being implemented. For starters, they should start by turning and putting a body on their man when the other team puts up a shot. Bill Russell once said that 90% of all rebounds are grabbed below the basket. Meaning, position is much more important than height or jumping ability. And given the "Eagle with a Beard's" resume, I would have to assume he is right.
Then it comes down to chemistry. Offensively, defensively, and in transition the Nuggets just are not working together. Sure we have some unbelievable talent individually speaaking, but basketbal is a team game. It takes five guys all working on the same page to be successful, and as of right now, one could say that Denver is not even reading the same book!
Thanks for reading,
The Nugg Doctor
tymes,
I have to tell you that yes it was that bad. The Mavs are a great team, and not to take anything away from them, but Denver just didn't want it after the first quarter. From that point on Dallas was just playing with us as they kept us at bay with sizeable leads throughout the game. 20 points was right about fiting for the Nuggets to get beat by.
Thanks for reading,
The Nugg Doctor
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