I watched the Denver game from wire to wire, and though it was a frustrating L, I came away with some positives for our outlook. Let's get into it:
ECUHUS1981's NET RATINGSJARRETT ALLEN - 8: he played a very clean game (0 turnovers, 0 fouls), provided solid resistance to Nikola, and was a presence at the cup on both ends. He had a tougher time with ex-Net Mason Plumlee's multi-pivot post moves (
), and started to get bullied as the Nuggets switched tactics late. He gave us more than what we need of him to win games on a nightly basis.
TAUREAN PRINCE - 4: I'm not so concerned with his poor shooting. Altitude, big minutes and constantly giving up size to the opponent has worn on him a bit. I'm more down on him reacting to team defense slowly, which triggers alot of wasted effort by teammates chasing skip passes around the perimeter. He's got to keep his head in the game instead of ball-watching, when his man isn't going 1-on-1 with him.
JOE HARRIS - 5: to my eye in real-time, he looked like the worst starter out there for either team. Somehow, he was the only starter that finished with a positive +/-, though I suspect it has more to do with us substituting him out for defensive lapses before they went on their run in the 3rd. Opposing teams are clearly crowding his feet around screens, which seems to be working as a shot deterrent. He's higher up on the scouting report than ever before in his career, and it'll take some time for him to counter and adjust. His effort on D was better, he just needs to play within his strengths (or limitations as it were) on that end. Too often, he bites on shot fakes or fails to stay in legal guarding position. Shooters like Redick, Korver, Allen and others have mitigated a lack of defensive skills by honing those fundamentals. I'm putting him in rare company, because I believe he can get there.
GARRETT TEMPLE - 6: he shot horrendously, but he had a very positive impact on both ends before taking a shot to the chin that drew blood and required stitches in the locker room. BIG PROPS to him for re-entering the game, but he was clearly a shell of himself afterward. It's difficult to point to one aspect where he dominates or shines, but he's just a glue guy that aces the intangibles. I hope he is OK, we're going to need him for the upcoming stretch.
KYRIE IRVING - 7: I can't dog him, he toughed it out with a shoulder issue and still managed 17/6/9/1 in 35 minutes. No turnovers but 4 fouls, and took 20 shots to get his points without a single FT. We go as he goes, so get in the cryogenic chamber Ky (just remember to
protect your feet)!
BENCH - 7: they certainly didn't lose us the game, and brought an edge of enthusiasm that our starters lack. Spencer did his thug thizzle, DJ was at once everywhere and nowhere, and Nic "Robot Bambi" Claxton flashed potential in Twin Towers setups.
KENNY - 6: sometimes, your best isn't good enough. I thought we limited backdoor action and held Nikola in check. Those had to be Atkinson's highest priorities, so he gets high marks for doing what few coaches accomplish. There has to be a way to keep our guys fresher mentally and physically for closing out games. The 2-3 zone and deep rotations were reasonable attempts to address this, but for various reasons neither have worked. He needs another tool in his toolbag. My suggestion: Hi-Lo. The action that brought the best out of RHJ and our shooters in 17-18 could work even better with Prince, Kurucs and the rest of our personnel. It also requires less energy than hero-ball.
Some people really have a way with words. Other people... not... have... way.
-- Steve Martin
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