Preseason thread

[skywalker33]

Hi Nuggets fans, Raptor fan here. I think we could be an interesting trade partner for Faried, but I have a feeling Masai is willing to play the waiting game and see if the price comes down. There's a lot of teams with loads of PFs right now and it's definitely a buyers market. Hopefully if the Raps don't get him you guys can get some value, it might be tough though with how many teams are going stretch there. I've always liked your team so good luck with the rebuild either way.

Question though. Can you guys shed some light on your center situation? I'm in a competitive fantasy league and have no idea what's going on there. When Nurkic expected to return? Is he expected to have lingering issues? Could Jokic or Lauvergne overtake him altogether? Which of them is the better pickup? Any info would help.

Masai will want to wait, but I don't see the Nuggets giving away Faried, especially caving to TOR because of the relationship with Masai. I also see the Nuggets seeing how Faried develops under Malone, seems like they are meshing. I do believe if they are floundering by Christmas and the Nuggets get a good offer, he (or for Gallo, Chandler, Nelson, etc) they'll pull the trigger.

Nurkic is expected back in Nov, probably late in the month presuming he is fully cleared by the medical staff. Jokic is getting HUGE praise and could become an intriguing player this season and on into the future. Lauvergne has been a pleasant surprise, he'll be a starter until Nurkic is ready but looks to be a 11/8 guy during this season and may be a bit better down the road, but not by much IMO

[The Rebel]

I never post Stiffs articles, but this article captures the way many of us long term Nuggets feel about the way the national media treats and has treated the Nuggets as long as I can remember, and a big reason why the Nuggets get no respect on boards like this.

In the vast void between dismissive, lazy indifference from the NBA media ... and unbridled, unrealistic, out of all reason positivity expressed by fans is, generally, the truth. It seems that most Nuggets fans this year are completely realistic about the team while NBA media types, who seem to get their information on the Nuggets through pony express, are stuck in last season (many have forgotten the Nuggets have traded Timofey Mozgov, Arron Afflalo, JaVale McGee, Nate Robinson and Ty Lawson and have turned over a large portion of their roster). The Nuggets are likely to struggle big time this season while being infinitely more appealing and fun to watch, I think everyone acknowledges this, but the condescending dismissive behavior of people outside of Denver is truly perplexing.

Watching the Nuggets play the Golden State Warriors a couple weeks ago on NBA TV reminded me of how generally clueless the NBA media is about what goes on in Denver. The announcers seemed surprised that Danilo Gallinari was a good player. They seemed a bit shocked that Nikola Jokic has a bit of game. They seemed pleasantly surprised that, despite the turnovers, Emmanuel Mudiay looks to be a rookie with unlimited potential.

Then it dawned on me. They still think this is Brian Shaw's 2013-2015 Nuggets. A team that loathed lead assistant Lester Conner and had poisonous elements in the locker room. The Nuggets have a large hill to climb to get respect from other NBA teams, and the media always seems to be five steps behind when it comes to the Nuggets.

http://www.denverstiffs.com/2015/10/23/9604372/lazy-narratives-versus-unbridled-expectations

[skywalker33]

I never post Stiffs articles, but this article captures the way many of us long term Nuggets feel about the way the national media treats and has treated the Nuggets as long as I can remember, and a big reason why the Nuggets get no respect on boards like this.

In the vast void between dismissive, lazy indifference from the NBA media ... and unbridled, unrealistic, out of all reason positivity expressed by fans is, generally, the truth. It seems that most Nuggets fans this year are completely realistic about the team while NBA media types, who seem to get their information on the Nuggets through pony express, are stuck in last season (many have forgotten the Nuggets have traded Timofey Mozgov, Arron Afflalo, JaVale McGee, Nate Robinson and Ty Lawson and have turned over a large portion of their roster). The Nuggets are likely to struggle big time this season while being infinitely more appealing and fun to watch, I think everyone acknowledges this, but the condescending dismissive behavior of people outside of Denver is truly perplexing.

Watching the Nuggets play the Golden State Warriors a couple weeks ago on NBA TV reminded me of how generally clueless the NBA media is about what goes on in Denver. The announcers seemed surprised that Danilo Gallinari was a good player. They seemed a bit shocked that Nikola Jokic has a bit of game. They seemed pleasantly surprised that, despite the turnovers, Emmanuel Mudiay looks to be a rookie with unlimited potential.

Then it dawned on me. They still think this is Brian Shaw's 2013-2015 Nuggets. A team that loathed lead assistant Lester Conner and had poisonous elements in the locker room. The Nuggets have a large hill to climb to get respect from other NBA teams, and the media always seems to be five steps behind when it comes to the Nuggets.

http://www.denverstiffs.com/2015/10/23/9604372/lazy-narratives-versus-unbridled-expectations

[The Rebel]

Sounds like the Nuggets are keeping Green and Johnson will be gone.

[eathb_au]

I'd rather that they cough up the money and just waive Hickson, since he is now just a terrible fit for Malone and this new system we're trying to run.

[skywalker33]

I'd rather that they cough up the money and just waive Hickson, since he is now just a terrible fit for Malone and this new system we're trying to run.

Worst case, he warms the bench and just plays out his contract, best case, someone will need a big man for their playoff run and be desperate enough to trade for him before the deadline.

[torotoe]

Sounds like the Nuggets are keeping Green and Johnson will be gone.

I like what Green brings to the table. He's a pure 6th man. Reminds me of Lou Williams, though obviously Lou is given a green light to take any shot.

[Powder Blue]

I never post Stiffs articles, but this article captures the way many of us long term Nuggets feel about the way the national media treats and has treated the Nuggets as long as I can remember, and a big reason why the Nuggets get no respect on boards like this.

In the vast void between dismissive, lazy indifference from the NBA media ... and unbridled, unrealistic, out of all reason positivity expressed by fans is, generally, the truth. It seems that most Nuggets fans this year are completely realistic about the team while NBA media types, who seem to get their information on the Nuggets through pony express, are stuck in last season (many have forgotten the Nuggets have traded Timofey Mozgov, Arron Afflalo, JaVale McGee, Nate Robinson and Ty Lawson and have turned over a large portion of their roster). The Nuggets are likely to struggle big time this season while being infinitely more appealing and fun to watch, I think everyone acknowledges this, but the condescending dismissive behavior of people outside of Denver is truly perplexing.

Watching the Nuggets play the Golden State Warriors a couple weeks ago on NBA TV reminded me of how generally clueless the NBA media is about what goes on in Denver. The announcers seemed surprised that Danilo Gallinari was a good player. They seemed a bit shocked that Nikola Jokic has a bit of game. They seemed pleasantly surprised that, despite the turnovers, Emmanuel Mudiay looks to be a rookie with unlimited potential.

Then it dawned on me. They still think this is Brian Shaw's 2013-2015 Nuggets. A team that loathed lead assistant Lester Conner and had poisonous elements in the locker room. The Nuggets have a large hill to climb to get respect from other NBA teams, and the media always seems to be five steps behind when it comes to the Nuggets.

http://www.denverstiffs.com/2015/10/23/9604372/lazy-narratives-versus-unbridled-expectations

I agree with this, hence why I haven't read many of the NBA previews. Zach Lowe is the only national media guy that repeatedly gets the Nuggets right. He might be a little down on them this year but he also writes about them accurately IMO. I also read a decent "5 Things" piece on the Sheridan site but other than that it's been ignorant trash....but we were trash last year, we play better this year we'll start earning some respect back.

[No-Man]

I think Nick is a better player, but Green fits better, Johnson and Gary Harris cover the same areas more or less.
I like what the FO has done, of keeping the team honest and adding some vets, I think that if Gallo can have a healthy 2nd half of his career he can be terrific, so tanking with him, Mudiay and some good pieces already in place makes no much sense.
The team will still get a top10 pick regardless, so its not biggy.

Mudiay-Nelson-Green
Foye-Harris-Barton
Gallinari-Chandler-Miller
Faried-Arthur-Lauvergne
Nurkic-Hickson-Jokic

I think trading Faried and moving Gallo to the PF is the next move during the RS.

[The Rebel]

I think Nick is a better player, but Green fits better, Johnson and Gary Harris cover the same areas more or less.
I like what the FO has done, of keeping the team honest and adding some vets, I think that if Gallo can have a healthy 2nd half of his career he can be terrific, so tanking with him, Mudiay and some good pieces already in place makes no much sense.
The team will still get a top10 pick regardless, so its not biggy.

Mudiay-Nelson-Green
Foye-Harris-Barton
Gallinari-Chandler-Miller
Faried-Arthur-Lauvergne
Nurkic-Hickson-Jokic

I think trading Faried and moving Gallo to the PF is the next move during the RS.

Johnson was clearly outplayed by Green this preseason, and it was not even close the difference between Johnson and Green on defense is not that big, but on offense the difference was big enough for the Nuggets to cut Johnson despite his guarnteed deal.

I still do not see the Nuggets moving Gallo to full time PF, that would be a mistake as it takes away his biggest strengths. He is long and quick enough to cause perimeter players problems with their shot and in getting to the rim, but he is not strong enough physically to guard the bigger PFs that will body him up on both ends and the wear and tear on him in the post is a terrible idea when you have a guy who already has injury problems with his legs. It also takes away his height and length advantage that he gets at SF. The numbers from last year clearly show that he is considerably worse playing at PF on defense than he is at SF.

If Faried ends up traded than I see the primary reason being to get the 3 young bigs more minutes, and looking at their games I believe they will work well together.

Also your depth chart is off as right now it appears it will be.
Mudiay-Nelson- Green
Harris-Barton-Foye
Gallinari-Chandler-Miller
Faried- Lauvergne- Arthur- Hickson
Nurkic- Jokic

with Joffrey sliding into center when needed.