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This should probably be a win for the Nuggets, especially with Conley not playing. Gasol is always difficult to play but Tyreke Evans has been playing fantastically. He's shooting 50% 40% 80% and in less than 30 minutes off the bench, he's scoring 18 pts and getting 5 rebounds. He's the one that might make a difference tonight if our bench decides to sleep-walk through the game again.

Evans is especially impressive when you consider they play one of the slowest paces in the league and that means Nuggets turnovers become even more critical to avoid.

When Jokic scores over 20 points Nuggets have a chance against anybody in the league. Jokic and Faried are playing good together, they have good chemistry.

I think the biggest thing though is the LeBronification process that is starting with Jokic now becoming the coach of this team. That is more important than signing Millsap IMO.

A lot more organized basketball when he does that and less selfishness and contested jumpshots. If LeJokic decides that he wants the ball, then you give him the damn ball.

Also, Juancho starting over Chandler please.

Most interesting about Jokic tonight is that he for the first time ever played all 12 minutes in the last quarter. We complain here many times why is Jokic the only star player in NBA which often playing under-6 minutes (less than half) in the 4th quarter.

eathb_au wrote:Also, Juancho starting over Chandler please.

I'm not sure that's a good idea, even though I like it. We need scoring off the bench and Hernangomez can be that guy.

NuggetsWY wrote:

eathb_au wrote:Also, Juancho starting over Chandler please.

I'm not sure that's a good idea, even though I like it. We need scoring off the bench and Hernangomez can be that guy.

I should have pointed out that I wouldn't have objected too much either but that's just because I'm almost as big a fan of Hernangomez as I am of Murray. (Should I mention that anyone that doesn't put Jokic first among the Nuggets young players, or all Nuggets players for that matter, is just plain weird? )

NuggetsWY wrote:

eathb_au wrote:Also, Juancho starting over Chandler please.

I'm not sure that's a good idea, even though I like it. We need scoring off the bench and Hernangomez can be that guy.

Chandler and Barton can be scorers off the bench, we need Juancho's shooting in the starting lineup.

The Rebel wrote:

NuggetsWY wrote:

eathb_au wrote:Also, Juancho starting over Chandler please.

I'm not sure that's a good idea, even though I like it. We need scoring off the bench and Hernangomez can be that guy.

Chandler and Barton can be scorers off the bench, we need Juancho's shooting in the starting lineup.

Barton certainly fits best off the bench. Chandler? I used to believe that. Last year was the first year he started less than half the games and he seemed effective. With Gallinari gone, he's the heir-apparent and it's not clear where he fits. On the other hand, the starters are doing fairly well with him at SF even if his numbers don't look good. He might do better off the bench, I don't know. What I do know is Hernangomez is a better shooter than Chandler and the bench needs shooters. We've seen enough of the bench standing around watching the defense hustle more than they do; Chandler certainly doesn't move as much as Hernangomez. That's why I'd bring Hernangomez off the bench. On the other hand, Chandler is more ISO-oriented than Hernangomez, so you might be right.

Malone's certainly got some challenges:
How/where to use Plumlee?
Who starts at PF? Who's the backup PF? Where does Chandler fit? PF? SF? Start? Bench?
Who starts at SF? Who's the backup SF? Where does Barton fit? SF? SG? Start? Bench?

Where/how to use Lyles & Hernangomez?