Game 13: Milwaukee Bucks (9-3) @ Denver Nuggets (9-3) - 8:00 PM ET

[ducler]

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[skywalker33]

Time to step up, good matchup. Only head-to-head that really looks like a mis-match is Craig vs. Middleton

[THE J0KER]

Denver playing best vs strong teams at home court, and also whole last season lost only once 3 games in the row.

BTW, Jokic is always inspired when playing vs Giannis. In the past two years, Nikola achieved 3 triple-doubles vs Bucks, including most famous one, that fastest ever in NBA history.

[THE J0KER]

Juan "The Starter" Hernangomez

[skywalker33]

Juan "The Starter" Hernangomez

Not the difference maker everyone was hoping for...so far

[Acountant_Z]

Murray is a moron, zero BBIQ.

And Garris is .... I don't know what is going on with him.

[FilNugsFan]

I'm unable to watch the games so I'm not really sure what the problem is, but just like that, DEN is practically back in the middle of the pack.

[THE J0KER]

For a change, this time we lose vs very good, elite opponent. But we should win it, of course...

If you ask me, by far the biggest culprit why we lose this game is Tim Connelly. We should grab coach Mike Budenholzer when he was available this summer!

At some point 3:33 or less before the end of the game, Denver lead vs Bucks, vs Nets, and vs Grizzlies, but lose all these three games. This is an issue how we closing games.

Very strange and unique game for sure, hard to give some smart fast analysis. No monster numbers from Jokic or Giannis. Millsap has (career-high?) 23 points at halftime but after such a fantastic start, scored only 2 in the 2nd half. All Bucks starters except Bledsoe scored 20+ points. B.Lopez out of blue 8-11 from 3pt in the first 3 quarters are probably the key factor.

[youngthegiant]

Juan "The Starter" Hernangomez

Not the difference maker everyone was hoping for...so far

depends on what your expectations were. I thought he had a good game defensively. Middleton hit a bunch of tough shots today(Lopez as well). He helped the starters, probably Denver's best offensive start of the year.
Went 2-3 from distance, and had some good hustle plays. A flawed game from Juancho but clearly an upgrade over Craig. Get well soon Will.

[NuggetsWY]

Hernangomez only took five shots, maybe he was a little afraid of taking too many. This team takes its lead from Jokic who prefers to pass.

Offense still needs more motion IMO but offense wasn't the problem, not really. We took 38 3pt shots and made 47% of them. We hit 46% of our FGs. Scoring was spread out with six of the nine players in double figures. We had more shots; FG & 3pt & FT than Milwaukee.

Playing the team that takes the most 3pt shots and as Hastings pointed out, going under screens - that was the biggest problem. Milwaukee shot 57% FG & 50% 3pt. We went into the game as the #1 defense and we played like last year's defense.

[The Rebel]

Is the change in defensive scheme on Malone or on the players? We went half way through the 3rd playing last years system and it cost us the game.

[skywalker33]

Gay Harris really did nomet have a good game, he seems to have taken over Jokic's slump, very unbecoming of his usually efficient game. Again, I put a lot of this loss on GH. And really seemed as Morris an Lyles led the charge on that 4th qtr comeback, those who want to trade Lyles is moronic.

[U hova]

Is the change in defensive scheme on Malone or on the players? We went half way through the 3rd playing last years system and it cost us the game.

Even if it's the players... it's on the coach to steady the ship.

[NuggetsWY]

Is the change in defensive scheme on Malone or on the players? We went half way through the 3rd playing last years system and it cost us the game.

I think the defensive improvement is on the players. Malone's system seems to be pretty much the same. They are covering for each other a little better but it isn't consistent - which indicates either it's not a system or they aren't following the system. There's no consistency about when someone switches and when they don't; at least not much consistency. There's no consistency in where the help is coming from on pick-n-rolls. There's no consistency in whether they should go under picks or over them. The biggest consistent change that Malone has mentioned is Jokic hedging out on picks and that seems to help. But we still don't see consistent coverage on his man diving for the basket.

Consistency in approach should be their top priority right now so that everyone is on the same page.
Then, to be truly great on defense, they need a system that includes second and third rotations.

[skywalker33]

Is the change in defensive scheme on Malone or on the players? We went half way through the 3rd playing last years system and it cost us the game.

I think the defensive improvement is on the players. Malone's system seems to be pretty much the same. They are covering for each other a little better but it isn't consistent - which indicates either it's not a system or they aren't following the system. There's no consistency about when someone switches and when they don't; at least not much consistency. There's no consistency in where the help is coming from on pick-n-rolls. There's no consistency in whether they should go under picks or over them. The biggest consistent change that Malone has mentioned is Jokic hedging out on picks and that seems to help. But we still don't see consistent coverage on his man diving for the basket.

Consistency in approach should be their top priority right now so that everyone is on the same page.
Then, to be truly great on defense, they need a system that includes second and third rotations.

Sounds like you're suggesting they are playing ISO defense...never knew that existed It's hard to think this team hasn't progressed on defense without some direction from Malone along with a little buyin from the players.

[NuggetsWY]

Is the change in defensive scheme on Malone or on the players? We went half way through the 3rd playing last years system and it cost us the game.

I think the defensive improvement is on the players. Malone's system seems to be pretty much the same. They are covering for each other a little better but it isn't consistent - which indicates either it's not a system or they aren't following the system. There's no consistency about when someone switches and when they don't; at least not much consistency. There's no consistency in where the help is coming from on pick-n-rolls. There's no consistency in whether they should go under picks or over them. The biggest consistent change that Malone has mentioned is Jokic hedging out on picks and that seems to help. But we still don't see consistent coverage on his man diving for the basket.

Consistency in approach should be their top priority right now so that everyone is on the same page.
Then, to be truly great on defense, they need a system that includes second and third rotations.

Sounds like you're suggesting they are playing ISO defense...never knew that existed It's hard to think this team hasn't progressed on defense without some direction from Malone along with a little buyin from the players.

Perhaps you are right, but there's nothing in Malone's history to say he's a defensive coach - except his words and his reputation. I'm just looking at his teams in Sacramento and his first three years here. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Has he given the defensive responsibility to one of his assistants?

Perhaps there's some system in place, I just can't figure out what the system is, since there is no consistency. So yeah, mostly I'm saying it's ISO defense with a little help coming from some of the players.

[skywalker33]

I think the defensive improvement is on the players. Malone's system seems to be pretty much the same. They are covering for each other a little better but it isn't consistent - which indicates either it's not a system or they aren't following the system. There's no consistency about when someone switches and when they don't; at least not much consistency. There's no consistency in where the help is coming from on pick-n-rolls. There's no consistency in whether they should go under picks or over them. The biggest consistent change that Malone has mentioned is Jokic hedging out on picks and that seems to help. But we still don't see consistent coverage on his man diving for the basket.

Consistency in approach should be their top priority right now so that everyone is on the same page.
Then, to be truly great on defense, they need a system that includes second and third rotations.

Sounds like you're suggesting they are playing ISO defense...never knew that existed It's hard to think this team hasn't progressed on defense without some direction from Malone along with a little buyin from the players.

Perhaps you are right, but there's nothing in Malone's history to say he's a defensive coach - except his words and his reputation. I'm just looking at his teams in Sacramento and his first three years here. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Has he given the defensive responsibility to one of his assistants?

Perhaps there's some system in place, I just can't figure out what the system is, since there is no consistency. So yeah, mostly I'm saying it's ISO defense with a little help coming from some of the players.

Wasn't Malone credited (at least partially ?) with the defense GSW built in the road to a dynasty ??

[The Rebel]

Gay Harris really did nomet have a good game, he seems to have taken over Jokic's slump, very unbecoming of his usually efficient game. Again, I put a lot of this loss on GH. And really seemed as Morris an Lyles led the charge on that 4th qtr comeback, those who want to trade Lyles is moronic.

I would not be calling other people moronic when it is pretty clear that you have no clue how the salary cap works, because if you did you might have clue of why people think it is time to move Lyles. I would explain it to you, but I have already tried to many times.

[NuggetsWY]

Sounds like you're suggesting they are playing ISO defense...never knew that existed It's hard to think this team hasn't progressed on defense without some direction from Malone along with a little buyin from the players.

Perhaps you are right, but there's nothing in Malone's history to say he's a defensive coach - except his words and his reputation. I'm just looking at his teams in Sacramento and his first three years here. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Has he given the defensive responsibility to one of his assistants?

Perhaps there's some system in place, I just can't figure out what the system is, since there is no consistency. So yeah, mostly I'm saying it's ISO defense with a little help coming from some of the players.

Wasn't Malone credited (at least partially ?) with the defense GSW built in the road to a dynasty ??

So it was said when he arrived here.

In the following, he said Mark Jackson built the defense:
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/06/nba-finals-warriors-steve-kerr-mark-jackson-defense

In this article, he credits Ron Adams with a key point of their defense:
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/251604/Steve-Kerr-Credits-Ron-Adams-For-Identifying-Warriors-Potential-To-Switch

[skywalker33]

Gay Harris really did nomet have a good game, he seems to have taken over Jokic's slump, very unbecoming of his usually efficient game. Again, I put a lot of this loss on GH. And really seemed as Morris an Lyles led the charge on that 4th qtr comeback, those who want to trade Lyles is moronic.

I would not be calling other people moronic when it is pretty clear that you have no clue how the salary cap works, because if you did you might have clue of why people think it is time to move Lyles. I would explain it to you, but I have already tried to many times.

Well, since you yourself have stated you believe the Nuggets will resign Lyles, seems kind of hypocritical to try to call me out for my beliefs and opinions. I just see his value to this team as being integral to the success going forward more so than other touted forwards, his production has been much more substantial.

And as has been the case many time throughout history, where there is a will, there's a way. If they want to try an attempt to sign a player, I only offer up Randle as a suggestion for conversation/debate because of his age and production.