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Seems a true playoff preview

Lakers intentionally tank vs Rockets last week (played without LBJ) trying to redirect them to Clippers and face us in WC SF.

But after seeing "The New Superstar" MPJ I can imagine James asking teammates on halftime: "Are we sure we want to face these guys? At least we know what exactly can expect from Harden, Westbrook, and co."

Only watching the boxscore, AD playing the entire 1st qtr but LBJ not doing any damage yet. Interesting that KBD getting early PT. Apparent to me (IMO) TC is not starter material as Kuzma of all people is eating him up.

Grant obviously will not play, which is a problem when you playing vs LBJ-AD-Kuzma frontcourt line. Good that Millsap, Bol, and of course MPJ has a strong start.

Why guys like Dion Waiters always shine or even have career night vs Nuggets?

LBJ piping up, time for our Superstar to wake up...JOKER NEEDS TO GO WILD !

Lakers are better only in rebounds in 1st half, but they destroyed us in that category 28-14, so they lead +5.

MPJ should learn that once he starts 1st quarter 4-4 (3-3 for 3pt), it is reason to be even more aggressive in 2nd quarter, not to be *happy* and take just one shot.

Good half for Millsap and Dozier.

Wonder if either Barton OR Harris find their way onto the court before the playoffs, sure would be nice to see what this team could be at full strength. Really don't recall either being injured before the restart but if they do get back, should be to build team chemistry.

What's up with Grant, resting after 46min night ??

Even at 88 after 3qtrs, strong efforts tonight.

Dozier looking good off the bench

Wow, bench is playing INSPIRED to say the least !!

Malone with interesting choice to close out the game.

Poor FT shooting causing a loss...and it wasn't even Plumlee ?#!*

I understand why Malone didn't trying to beat Portland, but not about Lakers.

Malone pulled Jokic, MPJ and Murray for the 4th quarter. The subs played the Lakers even but obviously Denver wasn't playing to win. They don't want the 2nd seed.

TunaFish wrote:Malone pulled Jokic, MPJ and Murray for the 4th quarter. The subs played the Lakers even but obviously Denver wasn't playing to win. They don't want the 2nd seed.

Gotta think that the Lakers now have something to think about with both LBJ and AD both playing 38min yet our bench took them to the wire. Manilito made a good point, without any HCA, what does it matter 3rd or 4th ??

*** I took the time to write some comments during the 1st quarter. It helps that I typically watch via my DVR or an internet site that gives a delayed viewing. I can stop and rewind constantly. It's not my favorite way to watch a game, but occasionally ...

On our first possession, every starter had a chance to shoot. The first four passed on their shot. Porter took his. That's why we need him. Too many times, guys pass up shots they could probably make. (Clearly they want to be "team players" - but if no one shoots, the team loses.)

Loved Porter's first assist in this game - a Jokic-like sling.

Jokic passed up an open three, wide open and passed it to Craig for an open three. Which would you rather have shoot that? Jokic I'm sure. I loved that Murray showed his displeasure with Jokic after that sequence.

Loved seeing Bates-Diop & Bol getting some early minutes.

Liked Craig's defense on LeBron. Not impressed with Jokic & Millsap on defense.

*** That's my take on the 1st quarter. Now I'll wait till the end of the game to see if I feel the same way.


Transition defense was quite sporadic. Perhaps I expect too much defense from our veterans, but Millsap, Jokic, and Plumlee seemed out of place a few times each.

I do not like the zone defense, mostly because NBA players can find a path to the basket too easily and nobody is blocking out when they are in the zone defense, resulting in giving away offensive rebounds too often.

The Lakers assumed Jokic was not going to shoot. They were just waiting for his passes. A few would get through, but they picked off a few too and Jokic seemed to find it more difficult to find open Nuggets.

Since Malone played 10 players and all played 22-27 minutes, I'm impressed by the game they played - as a team.

A very nice game. Lots of hustle. But we probably lost the game on defense.

Jokic - not very impressive, not bad, but not impressive
Millsap - decent game, more or less
Porter - great start - on offense
Craig - no offense but some nice minutes on LeBron, not that anyone looks good covering him
Murray - best game for the starters, decent effort on offense, showed some team defense awareness

Plumlee - decent enough to be impressive against the Lakers big lineup
Bol - good game - love to watch his potential - I'm expecting plenty of minutes next year
Bates-Diop - 10 points with 4 boards and some defense against LeBron - loved it
Dozier - best all around game for the Nuggets IMO
Morris - another very solid game, if only every player was so consistent

Am I the only one super happy with Dozier´s development?

Kid can ball. He has a great potential on both sides of the court (needs to improve his 3pt shot though), but unfortunately I don´t see any minutes for him next season.

Manolito wrote:Am I the only one super happy with Dozier´s development?

Kid can ball. He has a great potential on both sides of the court (needs to improve his 3pt shot though), but unfortunately I don´t see any minutes for him next season.

Compared to Morris, PJ very lacks both efficiency types: TS%/3pt% percentages and Ast/TO ratio. Once Harris and Barton back I can't see many free backup-guard minutes there. Beasley exit is not so helpful for him, because Morris takes advantage of his better efficiency and with MPJ rise Barton will play more backcourt minutes. Dozier is "G-League Westbrook" and in many NBA teams he is already ready to take notable role, but not in 2020 Nuggets. If we make during offseason that Harris+Barton+asset for "SG-star" blockbuster trade he can become overnight 20+ mpg backup option next season, if stays.

Lack of free playing time minutes is even more heartbreaking in Bol Bol case when MPJ-Grant-Millsap all play. But chances that Millsap/Plumlee/Grant all three will re-sign is slim, so he can be focussed only on improvement without worrying about 2021 PT. Bates-Diop case is much worse, and former TOP10 pick Vonleh may go without ever gets a real chance in Denver.

To be fair, Vonleh has been already out of so many teams during his career that it is not a surprise he can not contribute to Denver´s roster. Nevertheless, I would still resign him for a minimum deal to be Jokic´s backup next season, I don´t want Plumlee back at any price.

Some months ago I would have agreed with you in the GHarris + Barton + assets blockbuster trade, but at this point, Barton and GHarris (specially the later one) market is really slim. Many teams (Memphis, Miami,...) have way better assets to offer for Beal/Holiday

I would be happy with this roster for next season:
Murray Morris Dozier
GHarris 3D
MPJ Craig KBD
Grant Bol Bol
Jokic Vonleh

Include first round pick and Millsap in a very cheap contract, and IMHO roster is complete. You "only" need to trade Barton for a 3D type of player, and extend Grant, Craig and Morris contracts.