Koufos vs Mozgov

[MBash721]

Mozgov isnt half the player Koufos is...

Koufos can score, rebound, play defense, and gives 100% on the court at all times

if Mozgov wasnt a key piece in the Melo deal, and both guys were just brought in and had a fair competition, Koufos would blow him away

Koufos should start over Mozgov AND get some of Birdman's minutes

no reason he should not be given 20-25 minutes per night at the expense of those 2 guys

Koufos would be a consistent 10 pt/8 reb/1 blk kind of player if he got 20-25 minutes every night

[Ice32]

I think in time Koufos will get 15-20 mpg, he just needs to play consistently to make George Karl do that. Right now, he's playing better than Mozzy, so I say in 5 or so games he could replace him in the starting 5. Thing is, they are both capable if they stay out of foul trouble. But Kosta looks much better in the paint. With Nene slowed by this foot injury, both Mozzy and Kosta have a chance to prove themselves.

I think Birdman's minutes will slowly decrease as he is looking pretty average, 1 out of every 5 games he puts up ok numbers. I can see him being in the doghouse soon.

As long as we keep winning, whatever works, all of these guys seem pretty unselfish and willing to play as a team.

[Greco21]

You need to develop both for playoffs.

Koufos is a really good team player. He will do the best for the team. He will put his body in screens to get teamates open and work hard on pick and roll defence. Given the minutes he will be a +10 rebound for sure. Offensively he is consistently working on the low post. I would like him to get on 15 foot range and him some jumpers. It will be an added value.

Mozgov is a big body. His role should be different than Koufos. He is wearing people out with his size. He needs to attack the basket without hesitation.

I read in the San Antonio game thread that utilizing them makes the team slower. I disagree. Fast tempo teams do not always need 5 running down the floor. In the case they did not get the rebound they run the floor well. They will have to make direct cuts to the middle of the paint area to open alleys for teamates.

[Greek]

I dont think that Mosgov is longer than KK. He is just better athlete, way less skills on the offense but better defender especially on the P&R since he has better lateral movement.

[Greco21]

I dont think that Mosgov is longer than KK. He is just better athlete, way less skills on the offense but better defender especially on the P&R since he has better lateral movement.

Koufos P&R defense against Hornets (in New Orleans) was perfect. He was good at heads out. Pick and Pop defense against Kaman sucked (in Denver)

Now about better athlete... hmmm...

Mozgov seems stronger... but KK higher vertical jump...

[Greco21]

Can anyone figure out a valid reason he is not getting PT after his performance against the Hornets?

He got 7 minutes against the Spurs, 5 against New Orleans some DNPs and few minutes against Miami and Utah...

He is suddenly out of the rotation. I think he should look for a team that needs a backup center. All he needs is PT. Given the minutes he puts numbers without hurting +/-

[The Rebel]

Can anyone figure out a valid reason he is not getting PT after his performance against the Hornets?

He got 7 minutes against the Spurs, 5 against New Orleans some DNPs and few minutes against Miami and Utah...

He is suddenly out of the rotation. I think he should look for a team that needs a backup center. All he needs is PT. Given the minutes he puts numbers without hurting +/-

Karl likes to go small and harrington has been earning the minutes lately. Hopefully Karl finds a way to get Koufos some minutes as he has been productive when given the chance

[almost famous]

Neither of these guys look like they will pan out to be much more than a decent backup. Especially Moz, who seems like he's afraid of contact with even guards.

[MBash721]

I'll stick with my original statement

Koufos can play

if not starting, he should be getting 10-15 minutes per night

[KAVK]

Koufos is been played solid with little of PT he had & with Mozgov down opens up an opportunity for him to prove it on the floor more .....

[sportsmikegm23]

Mozzy and Koufos are basically back up centers at this time- both have upside- however I really like how Koufos bangs hard in the post- fights for position defensively, and goes to the block on offensive. Mozzy can run well and skilled around the bucket with both hands. I hope one can develop into something...however they might both be stronger minded than Nene... ok...Mossy and Nene might be brothers from another mother...

[clockwork]

what i don't like is that one game sparks a fanboys heart who then justifies the performance by downing other players.

i like kofous and mozgov equally and i think are both valuable players for the future.

[Raptor_Claw]

Mozgov for me has more physical talent. He's physically more gifted. But I like Koufos better as a basketball player. Koufos has a lot of skill and game. He just needs some time to put it all together.

[The Rebel]

One thing I will say that I have noticed is that the Nuggets do not seem to be the same team since Mozgov went down with his injury, that game turned and the team as a whole has not been the same since.

[Greco21]

Guys hi, again. I have watched all the Nuggets games and i notice that when they go on 5 on 5 offense they actually attack with 4 players. Either Koufos, Faried or Birdman (when they are on the lineup) most of the time lurk besides the painted area really down the post mainly on the week side after they throw a screen. Mozzy is the only one that some times makes a parallel cut inside the painted area. I believe that offensively that provides spacing and the ability to grab some offensive rebounds when the opposition big man goes for a shot block but besides that the big men are actually not fully utilized. Do you believe that spacing is more important than pick n rolls on the high post by bigs?

As far as the thread topic I believe Koufos has some aspects in his game that will provided extra value to the Nuggets. His energy on the offensive rebound is a + Teams need seven footers for the play offs. Sometimes he makes easy mistakes and gets whistled a lot for no reason. I think his teamates should trust him a little bit more and pass him when open. Ty Lawson trusted him in the game against Portland. Harrington though prefers to finish his plays even if some times Kosta is wide open. He needs to immediately work situations where he is in traffic. He should not put the ball down the floor. He should rather go hard to the basket and earn a foul.

Mozzy has been great lately. Good pick n roll defense, great presence, is not afraid of contact and has shown some solid facing the basket plays. He should be much more aggresive on rebounds and look out for the refs whistle.

[eslr]

Our defense seems to fall apart with Koufos in there. He isn't a terrible defender, but he isn't great either. We seem to get picked apart with the pick and roll with Koufos out there.

Mozzy is just a very good PnR defender (great at hedging), adequate man defender, and adequate-to-good help defender.

[Greco21]

Our defense seems to fall apart with Koufos in there. He isn't a terrible defender, but he isn't great either. We seem to get picked apart with the pick and roll with Koufos out there.

Mozzy is just a very good PnR defender (great at hedging), adequate man defender, and adequate-to-good help defender.

Points in the paint with Koufos on the floor? +/- With Koufos on the floor?

Block shots? Defensive Rebounds?

I do not think the defense falls apart because of him. His heads out is not as good as Mozgov. Man to man defender I will say it depends and help defense Koufos excels when holding the baseline. He is not good when a point guard comes full speed and he has to leave his man. He has caused a lot of turnovers in help defense though.

I will agree that Mozgov is more consistent in defense though.

[Greco21]

5 steals, 3 blocks and 24 points in the paint for the Suns (overall). That was good defensive effort.

Koufos pick n roll switches sucked. If they develop that, it will be like "Better shoot from Perimeter cause this is a danger zone".

I still think his offense is not utilized by the plays when he has to go weak side. Bird plays perfect the weak side role. He is experienced.