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Any word on Barton getting on the court or is that still yet just a fantasy?

Feels like the refs are gonna have an impact on this series, for both teams, not a good thing.

Obviously, I need to get on Morris's case again, we all know he can shoot better than he is right now, 1-6 ain't cutting it.

Minimal lead on halftime. I still don't get Malone's playing time management of our mighty frontcourt big-3. Gordon has literally zero fouls and best defense with highest +/- in both teams in first half but his playing time was limited on just 11 minutes. Porter since Murray injury was our #2 scoring option and he much better dealing with pressure during 1st halves (much better TS%) but Malone always limiting his 1st half minutes.

Oh, the dreaded 3rd qtr

Another 2021 3rd quarter collapse, this time 0-16 run. Of course, everything started with sitting unnecessary MPJ already after 5 minutes in third despite good 14-6 start of the 2nd time. He returned Porter after just 2 minutes but in these 2 minutes Suns are 10-0 and momentum was gone forever from Denver.

Who would have thought our bench would outscore anybody's bench? Not me.

The number one reason we lost, in my opinion, is lack of aggressiveness. We only took 6 FTs - a clear sign of a team content to take long shots. Although it didn't seem like we took that many more long two point shots than Phoenix, so I don't know.

I would chalk this game as a bad night. Jokic was missing easy shots, Monte went 1-10 and was -28 off the bench, Facu and Rivers made bad decisions on offense and defense. Overall lack of aggressiveness and focus.

Well, we took their first punch, let's see how we react

Why does it seem like so many on our team show no intensity in the 1st game of every series?

The Rebel wrote:Why does it seem like so many on our team show no intensity in the 1st game of every series?

Seems like a feeling out process

Malone indicating both Barton and Dozier are possible to return this series. Love to see Dozier match up with Booker but I really have little faith in Barton even though Malone said he’s more likely to return first. Barton is a woosy IMO

The Nuggets team is composed mostly of players that are less aggressive & assertive. They are mostly easy to get along with. Campazzo is about the closest we have to "love him on your team, hate him on the other team". Patrick Beverly is exactly what I'm talking about. Maybe one of the Morris twins. I'm not saying we should go get one of those. I am saying that it would be nice to have a little more of that fire and aggressive/assertive personality sometimes.

I'm not certain Malone would want that and it seems our front office isn't interested either. There are advantages to the team the Nuggets have built, but going through some stretches like we see seem to be normal for our team. And truthfully, I'm not 100% sold on the concept of needing those types of players - but ....