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Faried's minutes per game have been declining linearly for the past three seasons: (28.1, 27.2, 26.1). In fact, he's averaged 24 mpg during the last three non-blowout games. It seems asinine that they've committed over $50M over the next four years to give him this BS treatment. After what seemed to be a coming-out party over the summer through FIBA, I thought this would be the year he takes the next step. Remember that he's only 25.

Unfortunately, it looks like the idiot Shaw still thinks Faried cannot contribute to that extent. Whether it's JJ Hickson, Arthur, or some other guy, it seems like Shaw is trying to find excuses for limiting Faried. Am I the only one that thinks Faried should be playing 35+ mpg? Players can't establish a rhythm and continue to develop without getting consistent and voluminous minutes, which Faried has never gotten. Unbelievable that this guy still has a job.

I've noticed the lack of minutes as well seeing as I've drafted him to my fantasy team the last two years. I thought he was going to get some respect after his great performance over the summer but he must have slept with Shaw's wife because he gets no play. I'm about to give up on Faried fantasy wise, they should trade him if they aren't going to play him.....

He'll get minutes when he's playing for another team.

I'm never gonna argue that a guy's salary should have any bearing on how much he plays. If he's not playing that well or the situation calls for a different player, that's fine. Play whoever gets the job done.

I love Faried and am still a big fan but he does have some things to work on if he expects Shaw and the team to trust him when it counts.

If you look at his numbers he has also got less productive every year he has been in the league, maybe the two factors are related?

Yawn.

he's just an energy player who isn't particularly good on either end.
now he's an overpaid energy player who isn't particularly good on either end.
25 minutes a night sounds about right for a player of his caliber.

they should be looking to sell high.

I wasn't even aware that he was that good to begin with. He just seems like top tier energy guy. A bench role seems perfect for him.

He isn't playing very well at all. Maybe he should play better during the minutes he's on the floor.

Faried is one of those players who is highly dependent on the situation he is a part of. Even though it sounds strange because he's currently a pure hustle/energy rebounder and freak athlete-- I think Faried can TAKE OFF if he's put on the right team in the right system with the right coaching/training staff. Usually the energy-type players enter the NBA "as good as they get" with high immediate value/team contributions but lower upside than other players. With Faried I see there is actually a good amount of upside left with him despite his lack of height and rawness on both ends of the floor.

I get what OP is suggesting about more playing time.. but it has to be playing time on the right team. It seems like with the Nuggets his development has topped off. He probably needs a change of scenery. It would be mutually beneficial to trade him while his value is still high.

Another issue with Faried is that you can't really just give him a bunch of minutes without a plan on how to focus him on doing something besides rebounding. He's fairly incomplete as a player right now. He can't really score except in transition or on putbacks. He has no post-up game or ranged game, so he doesn't help with spacing and you can't feed him the ball except on a alley-oops/slashes. His defensive IQ isn't very good either. Again-- I believe that Faried could work on his defense and that would mitigate his height disadvantage. A player with his strength/speed/quickness/explosiveness should be able to become a competent defender.

I don't know if he has the tools/talent to develop into a consistent player on offense, but defense seems like something he could pick up. Perhaps he could add some sort of mid-range shot to his game. I feel like Faried has good upside left... someone just needs to help him tap into it.

WaffleRecord wrote:He'll get minutes when he's playing for another team.

Yeah I don't think he's going to get more minutes on this Nuggets team as things stand right now.

He is not that good anyway, he is overpaid on the wave of his good performances in the world cup against lesser competition.

ManualRam wrote:he's just an energy player who isn't particularly good on either end.
now he's an overpaid energy player who isn't particularly good on either end.
25 minutes a night sounds about right for a player of his caliber.

they should be looking to sell high.

Yep, rich man's Jeff Adrien.

Obviously their play dictates how many minutes they get, but it's pretty crazy how much the Nuggets are paying for some guys to either not start or only play half the game:

Kenneth Faried - $50m/4 years from 2015-16 to 2018-19
JaVale McGee - $44m/4 years from 2012-13 to 2015-16
Danilo Galinari - $42m/4 years from 2012-13 to 2015-16

Obviously you'd prefer that the owners and front office don't meddle with the on-court stuff, but you'd think they'd be putting a bit of pressure on to at least see some return for their investment, even if that "return" is simply seeing these guys on the court more. I know you have to pay someone the big dollars (to hit that minimum salary floor), but it's kind of bizarre and stupid how much money they're paying for that trio to sit on the bench so much.

As an energy guy, it's probably better to play less, he can't rest if he's tired, he'd be pretty useless. It's better to make sure he's always full of energy when on the court.

Also, is it just me, or has he really just not improved that much since coming to the league? He's dropped his foul rate a bit, but his per minute numbers look pretty much the same year on year.

Damon_3388 wrote:Obviously their play dictates how many minutes they get, but it's pretty crazy how much the Nuggets are paying for some guys to either not start or only play half the game:

Kenneth Faried - $50m/4 years from 2015-16 to 2018-19
JaVale McGee - $44m/4 years from 2012-13 to 2015-16
Danilo Galinari - $42m/4 years from 2012-13 to 2015-16

Obviously you'd prefer that the owners and front office don't meddle with the on-court stuff, but you'd think they'd be putting a bit of pressure on to at least see some return for their investment, even if that "return" is simply seeing these guys on the court more. I know you have to pay someone the big dollars (to hit that minimum salary floor), but it's kind of bizarre and stupid how much money they're paying for that trio to sit on the bench so much.

You do realize that 2 of the 3 players you listed are currently on minute restrictions as the work their way back from their injuries don't you?

If you follow the Nuggets at all then you know that Faried and Shaw reportedly do not like each other and do not speak to each other. Add to that Shaw is not very good at putting guys into the best position to succeed for them, and tries to force guys into roles that he envisions, it really is no surprise that Faried is struggling to get minutes.

He wants Faried to be like Pau Gasol at a minimum and Faried is not that guy, yet Faried was very productive under Karl, he was very productive when Shaw had no choice but to play him at the end of last year, and he was very productive for the Olympic team, which all tell me that Faried is not the problem here. Everybody that Faried has played for loved the guy, except Shaw.

The Rebel wrote:

Damon_3388 wrote:Obviously their play dictates how many minutes they get, but it's pretty crazy how much the Nuggets are paying for some guys to either not start or only play half the game:

Kenneth Faried - $50m/4 years from 2015-16 to 2018-19
JaVale McGee - $44m/4 years from 2012-13 to 2015-16
Danilo Galinari - $42m/4 years from 2012-13 to 2015-16

Obviously you'd prefer that the owners and front office don't meddle with the on-court stuff, but you'd think they'd be putting a bit of pressure on to at least see some return for their investment, even if that "return" is simply seeing these guys on the court more. I know you have to pay someone the big dollars (to hit that minimum salary floor), but it's kind of bizarre and stupid how much money they're paying for that trio to sit on the bench so much.

You do realize that 2 of the 3 players you listed are currently on minute restrictions as the work their way back from their injuries don't you?

I understand that, and I'll concede on Gallinari, as he was playing 30+ minutes and starting regularly prior to his knee injury. McGee though has averaged just 17.7 minutes per game and has started just 10 games for Denver since being traded there in March 2012. He's been on "minute restrictions" for a couple of years now, even before his injury-riddled time last year.

Faried HAS improved as a player, he and shaw don't see eye to eye is all. He can 10-12 foot jumpers if given enough space and a one-move post game that is surprisingly effective