Changes need to be made

Ice32 · Post #1 » by **Ice32** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 12:07 pm

Im looking at the last 5 games, and something really stands out. The play of Afflalo and Rudy is just horrendous in the 4 losses. I mean their individual play is hurting the team. Maybe they haven't recovered fully from their recent injuries? Maybe the 3 games in 3 nights didn't help? But look at the 4 losses, the numbers speak for themselves:

Afflalo - 100 mins, 8/24 FGs, 2/6 Threes, 20 pts - 5.0 ppg

Rudy - 94 mins, 9/27 FGs, 2/19 Threes, 23 pts - 5.7 ppg

They are a combined 17/51 from the field (.333), 4/25 from Three (.160), and they have shot just a total of 4 FTs in 4 games. These two guys play the majority of our SG minutes, with Dre and Brewer playing small doses.

It's very clear that without the likes of Billups/Melo on the floor, Afflalo really struggles to find his shot, he is clearly struggling to create his own shots. Rudy is just a streaky shooter, one game he's hot, the next four he's cold. If they are playing injured, or just lack confidence, then they should not be playing the minutes they are.

What can be done about it though? Ride it out and hope their play improves, or make changes to the starting lineup and experiment? Surely the coaching staff have noticed this.

KAVK · Post #2 » by **KAVK** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 2:03 pm

It is just too painful to see Rudy try to defend and shoots threes with awkward motion even when there is no one contesting. AAA is at least defends while he sucks on O.

For few minutes in garbage time Hamilton looked not so bad i'd say at this time. i wonder if Karl would try him out little bit. Probably a pipe dream.

Post #3 » by **The Rebel** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 4:26 pm

I agree it is time for a change, the Nuggets need to find a way to bring in a Sg/SF that can actually dependably shoot the 3 while being a decent scorer.

youngthegiant · Post #4 » by **youngthegiant** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 5:35 pm

the team defense is just horrid. andre miller is lazy, rudy cannot defend, gallo can't guard the 3, in fact this whole team is horrible at defending the 3. Changes need to be made and it starts with andre miller,rudy, afflalo. something needs to change asap.

youngthegiant · Post #5 » by **youngthegiant** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 5:38 pm

The Rebel wrote:I agree it is time for a change, the Nuggets need to find a way to bring in a Sg/SF that can actually dependably shoot the 3 while being a decent scorer.

you just described wilson chandler lol.

Post #6 » by **The Rebel** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 6:12 pm

youngthegiant wrote:
The Rebel wrote:I agree it is time for a change, the Nuggets need to find a way to bring in a Sg/SF that can actually dependably shoot the 3 while being a decent scorer.
you just described wilson chandler lol.

You mean the guy who shoots 32.4% from 3 for his career? Reading this board I wonder if I am the only one that has actually watched some of these guys play. chandler does nothing to fix the outside shooting/scorer problem, in fact he adds to it.

Post #7 » by **corona** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 6:14 pm

afflalo's been bad, but at least he doesn't jack up 5+ threes in 20 minutes when he's ice cold. that pisses me off. karl boasts fernandez as an all-around player, but aside from garbage minutes when nobodies playing defense, i haven't seen it. he gambles on d too much, never drives off the dribble, doesn't play a p&r game, and shoots way too many 3's.

Post #8 » by **corona** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 6:18 pm

The Rebel wrote:
youngthegiant wrote:chandler does nothing to fix the outside shooting/scorer problem, in fact he adds to it.

well when the offense breaks down, he can actually shoot off the dribble, unlike the rest of the team (except al harrington and dre....but not outside 15 feet).

Maf · Post #9 » by **Maf** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 8:35 pm

some of you make me sick... So yeah, Nuggets had couple of loses. Let's everyone write bulls**ts about WE NEED CHANGE or TRADE THAT GUY and finally my most favourite FIRE GEORGE Karl, man who has all-around reputation of one of the best coaches.
Did you expect Nuggets to go 66-0 or what? They had few bad games against very good western teams. Miami has started as 60-6 team to be and they already have 6 losses. That happens!

Maf · Post #10 » by **Maf** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 8:38 pm

more-

You should fcuking enjoy we have a really, really good team who is 15-9 with 11 games played at home where we're usually pretty strong. And after 6 straight L's we're still at No.4. Can't imagine what someone would write if you'd be a Celtics fans :roll:

Ice32 · Post #11 » by **Ice32** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 8:47 pm

Maf wrote:So yeah, Nuggets had couple of loses. Let's everyone write bulls**ts about WE NEED CHANGE or TRADE THAT GUY and finally my most favourite FIRE GEORGE Karl, man who has all-around reputation of one of the best coaches.

No one here said to trade anyone, or fire George Karl??? And we haven't had 6 straight losses??

George Karl said it himself about the impact of Dre and Al off the bench yesterday:

"Our starts are very ordinary and nonenergized," Karl said. "We talked last night about how we have to change that personality. We don't seem to get any positive momentum until one of those two guys get on the court. And when they both get on the court, usually we start really well."

So right now, as most of you have pointed out, our starting five needs a change, maybe Koufos for 1 or 2 games will help, maybe benching Afflalo will help, I don't have the answer.

sportsmikegm23 · Post #12 » by **sportsmikegm23** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 8:57 pm

Maf wrote:some of you make me sick... So yeah, Nuggets had couple of loses. Let's everyone write bulls**ts about WE NEED CHANGE or TRADE THAT GUY and finally my most favourite FIRE GEORGE Karl, man who has all-around reputation of one of the best coaches.
Did you expect Nuggets to go 66-0 or what? They had few bad games against very good western teams. Miami has started as 60-6 team to be and they already have 6 losses. That happens!

Maf wrote:more-

You should f***ing enjoy we have a really, really good team who is 15-9 with 11 games played at home where we're usually pretty strong. And after 6 straight L's we're still at No.4. Can't imagine what someone would write if you'd be a Celtics fans

DAMN.... What you can't see that AA and Rudy are not playing well at all???? Rudy going JR and jacking up just dumb 3 point shots last night. AA couldn't find the rim with a compass or a road map... and Nene... charmin soft last night. -- Maf- this is honesty. Yes, the team needs to do something to shake things up... AA can play, so can Rudy...but they are playing like s**t right now and need to get there act together so we can be a competing team or the team will continue to have a bigger losing streak. Yes, last night was going to happen- but the mentality of a few just taking 25 ft 3 point shots or just letting an ol' teammate get 20 rebounds and your 6'11" butt just watches... a little effort and basketball intelligence goes a long ways... they haven't had much of it in the last few games. I mean, if you really want to see Rudy continue to take bad shots and go 1 for 9... good for you, I know I don't.... Maf, the point is they can compete... and you can't continue to play bad basketball and lose 4 out of 5 consistently. If they are truly wanting to trade for someone that can shoot...Anthony Morrow of the Nets... that's my vote!!!

Post #13 » by **The Rebel** » Sun Feb 5, 2012 10:00 pm

Maf wrote:some of you make me sick... So yeah, Nuggets had couple of loses. Let's everyone write bulls**ts about WE NEED CHANGE or TRADE THAT GUY and finally my most favourite FIRE GEORGE Karl, man who has all-around reputation of one of the best coaches.
Did you expect Nuggets to go 66-0 or what? They had few bad games against very good western teams. Miami has started as 60-6 team to be and they already have 6 losses. That happens!

Maf wrote:more-

You should fcuking enjoy we have a really, really good team who is 15-9 with 11 games played at home where we're usually pretty strong. And after 6 straight L's we're still at No.4. Can't imagine what someone would write if you'd be a Celtics fans

I must have missed the fire George Karl thread.

Other then that, I have not changed a thing I have said from the start of this season, i still am not enamored with Gallo as a future all star, I still think this team needs an upgrade at the 2/3 especially someone who can shoot and spread the floor, given our backup PG can't do it, someone has too. Nene still disappears too often when the refs don't give him any calls, afflalo looks almost like Dahntay Jones so far this season, and I could go on. Win or lose I think I have remained pretty damn consistent this year.

Now if you want to have an honest discussion on how good this team is, we could do that, but I don't think many would like my answer. this team is based on a gimmick defense that has to create turnovers to be effective, which then leads to fast break points. Our only post threats are the PF that lets lack of calls get in his head, and our PG, so far we are below average in 3 point shooting, and among the worst in allowed opponent shooting percentage both 3s and 2s. Against good veteran teams that rebound, take care of the ball, and pack the paint the Nuggets struggle, and will continue to struggle, especially if the opponent can hit outside shots somewhat dependably. To solve that they have to get better rebounding, outside shooting has to improve, another player or two that can create their own shot, and pick up the perimeter defense.

now some of the improvement may come from players currently on the roster some may not. Gallo, Afflalo, lawson, and Fernandez have all shown to be better shooters in the past, and if they can get their form back it would help. Afflalo has slowly gotten his form back and his percentage has went up, but the Nuggets need them all to get back to their form to be effective in the half court.

Somehow Karl has to figure out a way to get Faried on the court more, the guy was drafted for his rebounding and finishing ability, the Nuggets need help with rebounding desperatly,

Chandler does have a habit of finding the open spot so he may be some help on offense, and around the perimeter, but i don't know that he really fixes the problems.

Afflalo and Gallo especially have shown the ability to defend the perimeter very well, somehow Karl has to get them to go back to that focus more, as it will help long term.

almost famous · Post #14 » by **almost famous** » Mon Feb 6, 2012 1:14 am

Great post.

youngthegiant · Post #15 » by **youngthegiant** » Mon Feb 6, 2012 3:29 am

we just need to improve on defense. everything else will fall in place once everybody gets on the same page.

sportsmikegm23 · Post #16 » by **sportsmikegm23** » Mon Feb 6, 2012 5:29 am

+1 with almost famous thoughts on Rebels post.

Now, I might have a slightly higher opinion of Gallo... however, right now he lacks consistency and that's what makes an all star... which I think it more to Rebel's point. I usually like Gallo hustle and effort, but I have seen him disappear. Just have him get more consistent and he's borderline all star material.

Nene... what an enigma... I just wished that we fan could give him a better mindset... I think any of us would have more passion and fire than the gentle giant does most of the time... he is even letting his post defense slip now... that was one thing usually you could count on... it's a bit worrisome, but he will have a few solid games and we will continue to ride the Nene rollercoaster.

I partially agree that the defense is gimmicky...however, with the exception of the Miami's, Chicago's and Laker's of the world...many teams including Orlando and the champion Mavericks have gimmicks in their defensive schemes. This team should be able to shoot better (tired or not) than they have the last few games- it's really been sad- but the offense even before Karl was depended on the fast break- (it's like everyone wants to copy Ol' Doug Moe...) just build a team the right way- execute offensively in the half court-- and be nasty on defensive. The Spurs didn't win until Duncan got there and they quit channeling their ABA score at will- Defensive and half court offensive execution. It's really the blue print of every champion since the Lakers v Celtics in the 80's -

The Nugs can win a playoff series, with the right match-ups and at least 2 players playing very well - they could surprise and go to the WCF- but that's a large stretch right now... It would be nice to see the Nuggets make a move to contend this year, but their is probably too many holes and too much youth to be a true contender.

You'd have to get a K-mart type that could play some offensive much more consistently. Need a back up PG that can hit an open 18 + ft jumper- need an sg to become about 38% 3 pt shooter (prefer 40%+)
Wilson Chandler is not the savior for this team- he can help a little and increase depth, but depth will only get you so far... gotta get stops and make shots.

We have a nice record, we aren't a crappy team contending for the 1st pick in the draft, but unless a few players truly take "the next step" Lawson, Gallo, AA- you can't be a true contender.

Faried needs to play (that's why I thought they would amnesty Al or Bird so Faried could get some run. If Rudy can't get his shooting touch back- Let's see if Hamilton can develop some- (not contending answers) but maybe you have to look at it for next year (I HATE THAT) but unless something Tebowsque happens--- as much as I want to contend and go for it... the gold ball isn't going to be here for a parade.

monkfish · Post #17 » by **monkfish** » Mon Feb 6, 2012 7:02 am

AAA + 2012 1st for Monta Ellis. thoughts?

KAVK · Post #18 » by **KAVK** » Mon Feb 6, 2012 8:19 am

monkfish wrote:AAA + 2012 1st for Monta Ellis. thoughts?

Tell that to Marc Jackson ....... Answer will be nasty

Maf · Post #19 » by **Maf** » Mon Feb 6, 2012 5:55 pm

Hello y'all. Hope I didn't insult anyone yesterday. I had couple (well, bottles) of wine and lose temper a little.

As I said- Let's enjoy we have good team that is exciting to watch. (sometimes painful to watch) I don't believe we would make it to second round but if we do, I'll be totally happy. I believe it's better than expect to contend and then be sad.

You're right there wasn't Fire George Karl thread but I say YET! Many of you is there for many years and you must remember how many times there were threads like this. How Dantley must be our new coach and when he stepped in, he sucked balls...

AA doesn't play well this season. I wouldn't mind he shoots bad. But his defense isn't as good as it was. And defense was reason he signed for 40mills.

Well, our coaching staff know what they're doing, so they adjust to it and we'll enjoy win against Rockets! Enjoy your team and stop overacting, that's what I'm saying.