2024 Preseason Games

[skywalker33]

Off to Abu Dahbi for two game vs. the Celtics. We opened up the preseason yesterday, our Starters (opening with CB at the SG position) dominated the Celtics starter (sans Porzingas, who is injured). We never fell out of the lead, it did get tied up a couple of times but the Goof Guys weathered each and every flurry. We built a 6-7 point lead in the 1st half, extending it as far as 11pts but it never felt like we were endanger of losing it. Joker with 14pts, MPJ with with 12pts and Russell Westbrook with 12pts and 8asts. We scord 63 pts in the 1st half, back to Nuggets Scoring/

The 2nd half we played our bench mostly, going deep throughout. Second half scoring was bretty sparce, pnly putting up 40 in the 2nd. BOS set a barrage of 3=ptrs, going 20/61 to our 12/31, almost 2-to-1 attempts. Payton Pritchard led their barrage, gotta say he was amazing. Zeke Nnaji put up a good effort going 4/7 for 10pts as well as 6rebs, but was against their 3rd string unit (regardless, it could help our trade market for him). Was disappointed by Trey Alexanders first taste of the NBA, shot only 1 of 5 and Jalen Picket only 1 of 4. . Strange ending as ref rescinded a game-leading 2 point with 7.9 seconds left and awarded the C's free throws, sealing the game. Had to watch on the C's affiliate, their announcers are PATHETIC

[TunaFish]

Off to Abu Dahbi for two game vs. the Celtics. We opened up the preseason yesterday, our Starters (opening with CB at the SG position) dominated the Celtics starter (sans Porzingas, who is injured). We never fell out of the lead, it did get tied up a couple of times but the Goof Guys weathered each and every flurry. We built a 6-7 point lead in the 1st half, extending it as far as 11pts but it never felt like we were endanger of losing it. Joker with 14pts, MPJ with with 12pts and Russell Westbrook with 12pts and 8asts. We scord 63 pts in the 1st half, back to Nuggets Scoring/

The 2nd half we played our bench mostly, going deep throughout. Second half scoring was bretty sparce, pnly putting up 40 in the 2nd. BOS set a barrage of 3=ptrs, going 20/61 to our 12/31, almost 2-to-1 attempts. Payton Pritchard led their barrage, gotta say he was amazing. Zeke Nnaji put up a good effort going 4/7 for 10pts as well as 6rebs, but was against their 3rd string unit (regardless, it could help our trade market for him). Was disappointed by Trey Alexanders first taste of the NBA, shot only 1 of 5 and Jalen Picket only 1 of 4. . Strange ending as ref rescinded a game-leading 2 point with 7.9 seconds left and awarded the C's free throws, sealing the game. Had to watch on the C's affiliate, their announcers are PATHETIC

Spoiler:

And the starters look set with Braun at shooting guard. Westbrook looked like an upgrade at backup point but missed a lot of shots at the basket. Strawther looks good and is cementing a spot in the rotation.

Jokic still amazes.

Watson out because of injury is a concern. Murray looks like he doesn't care much for preseason. All in all, not bad. On to the next game on Sunday.

[skywalker33]

Off to Abu Dahbi for two game vs. the Celtics. We opened up the preseason yesterday, our Starters (opening with CB at the SG position) dominated the Celtics starter (sans Porzingas, who is injured). We never fell out of the lead, it did get tied up a couple of times but the Goof Guys weathered each and every flurry. We built a 6-7 point lead in the 1st half, extending it as far as 11pts but it never felt like we were endanger of losing it. Joker with 14pts, MPJ with with 12pts and Russell Westbrook with 12pts and 8asts. We scord 63 pts in the 1st half, back to Nuggets Scoring/

The 2nd half we played our bench mostly, going deep throughout. Second half scoring was bretty sparce, pnly putting up 40 in the 2nd. BOS set a barrage of 3=ptrs, going 20/61 to our 12/31, almost 2-to-1 attempts. Payton Pritchard led their barrage, gotta say he was amazing. Zeke Nnaji put up a good effort going 4/7 for 10pts as well as 6rebs, but was against their 3rd string unit (regardless, it could help our trade market for him). Was disappointed by Trey Alexanders first taste of the NBA, shot only 1 of 5 and Jalen Picket only 1 of 4. . Strange ending as ref rescinded a game-leading 2 point with 7.9 seconds left and awarded the C's free throws, sealing the game. Had to watch on the C's affiliate, their announcers are PATHETIC

Spoiler:

And the starters look set with Braun at shooting guard. Westbrook looked like an upgrade at backup point but missed a lot of shots at the basket. Strawther looks good and is cementing a spot in the rotation.

Jokic still amazes.

Watson out because of injury is a concern. Murray looks like he doesn't care much for preseason. All in all, not bad. On to the next game on Sunday.

Totally agree, but I do expect more of the backup in the next Adu Dahbi game.

Also, with Braun replacing KCP, he had a statline of 5pt/5rebs/3ast in just 13mins of play. He was 0/1 on his only 3ptr but even extrapolated out to 2x or 26mins, he'd have a 10/10/6 line which seems to be a pretty adequate replacement.

[skywalker33]

Nnaji getting some starting PT as the Joker gets some rest..and he's one of our better (and only) 3-pt shooters. Julian starting at PG for Murray, trying to hone some of his play-making skills. Interesting.

[famicommander]

Tyson and Pickett are both regressing and they were already bad last season.

Pickett in the preseason last year:
44.4% FG, 40.0% 3PT, (did not attempt a FT)

Pickett in the preseason this year:
14.3% FG, 22.2% 3PT, 50.0% FT

Tyson last preseason:
38.6% FG, 28.6% 3PT, 100% FT

Tyson this preseason:
27.3% FG, 21.4% 3PT, 50.0% FT

Strawther seems to be pretty much unchanged. Last preseason:
51.1% FG, 45.2% 3PT, 90.0% FT

Strawther this preseason:
50.0% FG, 44.4% 3PT, 64.3% FT

[famicommander]

Starters:
1. Jokic
2. Murray
3. Gordon
4. Porter
5. Braun

Main bench:
6. Strawther
7. Westbrook
8. Saric
9. Watson

Fringe rotation:
10. Cancar
11. Nnaji

Situational:
12. Jordan
13. Alexander

Don't play these guys:
14. Tyson
15. Hall
16. Pickett
17. Jones

Out for season:
18. Holmes

[skywalker33]

Well, finally a win even though MINN played their depth. Both Jokic and AG had off nights but Murray and Strawther took over the scoring tonight. Needed that one going into the season.

[skywalker33]

Tyson and Pickett are both regressing and they were already bad last season.

Pickett in the preseason last year:
44.4% FG, 40.0% 3PT, (did not attempt a FT)

Pickett in the preseason this year:
14.3% FG, 22.2% 3PT, 50.0% FT

Tyson last preseason:
38.6% FG, 28.6% 3PT, 100% FT

Tyson this preseason:
27.3% FG, 21.4% 3PT, 50.0% FT

To even put Strawther in this grouping was egregious, don't ever do that again. Last night showed what potential he has, he was amazing.

As for Pickett and Tyson, you are spot-on, not sure either will ever play in a league higher than the G league. Had some hope for Tyson but not sure if he'll ever get that jump shot going, maybe he just gets too excited or something.

[famicommander]

Tyson and Pickett are both regressing and they were already bad last season.

Pickett in the preseason last year:
44.4% FG, 40.0% 3PT, (did not attempt a FT)

Pickett in the preseason this year:
14.3% FG, 22.2% 3PT, 50.0% FT

Tyson last preseason:
38.6% FG, 28.6% 3PT, 100% FT

Tyson this preseason:
27.3% FG, 21.4% 3PT, 50.0% FT

To even put Strawther in this grouping was egregious, don't ever do that again. Last night showed what potential he has, he was amazing.

As for Pickett and Tyson, you are spot-on, not sure either will ever play in a league higher than the G league. Had some hope for Tyson but not sure if he'll ever get that jump shot going, maybe he just gets too excited or something.

I wasn't saying Strawther was like Pickett and Tyson, I was just tracking the young guys. Relax.

Tyson has always been a no-hoper. He's too slow to be a 3, he's too weak to be a 4, he doesn't rebound, he can't pass, he can't dribble, and he only makes 3s when there's nobody within 10 feet of him in any direction. I saw every second he played last year in the G-League and he wasn't the best player on the court in one singular game he played.

And again, Strawther did this same thing last preseason. We already knew he could do this in the preseason. It's all positive vibes but now he has to do it in the regular season too.

[skywalker33]

Tyson and Pickett are both regressing and they were already bad last season.

Pickett in the preseason last year:
44.4% FG, 40.0% 3PT, (did not attempt a FT)

Pickett in the preseason this year:
14.3% FG, 22.2% 3PT, 50.0% FT

Tyson last preseason:
38.6% FG, 28.6% 3PT, 100% FT

Tyson this preseason:
27.3% FG, 21.4% 3PT, 50.0% FT

To even put Strawther in this grouping was egregious, don't ever do that again. Last night showed what potential he has, he was amazing.

As for Pickett and Tyson, you are spot-on, not sure either will ever play in a league higher than the G league. Had some hope for Tyson but not sure if he'll ever get that jump shot going, maybe he just gets too excited or something.

I wasn't saying Strawther was like Pickett and Tyson, I was just tracking the young guys. Relax.

Tyson has always been a no-hoper. He's too slow to be a 3, he's too weak to be a 4, he doesn't rebound, he can't pass, he can't dribble, and he only makes 3s when there's nobody within 10 feet of him in any direction. I saw every second he played last year in the G-League and he wasn't the best player on the court in one singular game he played.

And again, Strawther did this same thing last preseason. We already knew he could do this in the preseason. It's all positive vibes but now he has to do it in the regular season too.

Not to worry, but Strawther was gettin min as a rookie BEFORE he was injured, even with Malone at the helm.

As for Tyson, gonna have to agree to disagree, at least at this point in his career. And in the G-League, he WAS averaging 24pts and 8rebs a game, don't know what you were watching but that's not a bad stat line, so I'll wait a bit before I judge the guy, try it until we have replacements. Jalen's in that same boat, but I did expect him to come along faster with his shooting, I can see both nack down in the G League again.

[famicommander]

To even put Strawther in this grouping was egregious, don't ever do that again. Last night showed what potential he has, he was amazing.

As for Pickett and Tyson, you are spot-on, not sure either will ever play in a league higher than the G league. Had some hope for Tyson but not sure if he'll ever get that jump shot going, maybe he just gets too excited or something.

I wasn't saying Strawther was like Pickett and Tyson, I was just tracking the young guys. Relax.

Tyson has always been a no-hoper. He's too slow to be a 3, he's too weak to be a 4, he doesn't rebound, he can't pass, he can't dribble, and he only makes 3s when there's nobody within 10 feet of him in any direction. I saw every second he played last year in the G-League and he wasn't the best player on the court in one singular game he played.

And again, Strawther did this same thing last preseason. We already knew he could do this in the preseason. It's all positive vibes but now he has to do it in the regular season too.

Not to worry, but Strawther was gettin min as a rookie BEFORE he was injured, even with Malone at the helm.

As for Tyson, gonna have to agree to disagree, at least at this point in his career. And in the G-League, he WAS averaging 24pts and 8rebs a game, don't know what you were watching but that's not a bad stat line, so I'll wait a bit before I judge the guy, try it until we have replacements. Jalen's in that same boat, but I did expect him to come along faster with his shooting, I can see both nack down in the G League again.

Stats are meaningless without context, especially in the G-League. I watched the games, he was a hopeless chucker and a lazy, garbage time stat padder. 6'1.5" Collin Gillespie regularly out-rebounded him. In fact Gillespie nearly averaged a triple double. Rebounds are extremely easy to come by in the G-League, the level of competition there is low.

Jay Huff and Braxton Key were both better than Tyson in the G-League last year and it wasn't even close. Even Jalen Pickett was better than Tyson in the G-League last year. Tyson was the worst defender on the roster and that includes the actual G-League roster scrubs, not just the other Nugs roster guys who were playing down there.

There is absolutely nothing that Tyson does on a basketball court as well as Vlatko Cancar. There is no reason for Tyson to be on this roster.

[skywalker33]

I wasn't saying Strawther was like Pickett and Tyson, I was just tracking the young guys. Relax.

Tyson has always been a no-hoper. He's too slow to be a 3, he's too weak to be a 4, he doesn't rebound, he can't pass, he can't dribble, and he only makes 3s when there's nobody within 10 feet of him in any direction. I saw every second he played last year in the G-League and he wasn't the best player on the court in one singular game he played.

And again, Strawther did this same thing last preseason. We already knew he could do this in the preseason. It's all positive vibes but now he has to do it in the regular season too.

Not to worry, but Strawther was gettin min as a rookie BEFORE he was injured, even with Malone at the helm.

As for Tyson, gonna have to agree to disagree, at least at this point in his career. And in the G-League, he WAS averaging 24pts and 8rebs a game, don't know what you were watching but that's not a bad stat line, so I'll wait a bit before I judge the guy, try it until we have replacements. Jalen's in that same boat, but I did expect him to come along faster with his shooting, I can see both nack down in the G League again.

Stats are meaningless without context, especially in the G-League. I watched the games, he was a hopeless chucker and a lazy, garbage time stat padder. 6'1.5" Collin Gillespie regularly out-rebounded him. In fact Gillespie nearly averaged a triple double. Rebounds are extremely easy to come by in the G-League, the level of competition there is low.

Jay Huff and Braxton Key were both better than Tyson in the G-League last year and it wasn't even close. Even Jalen Pickett was better than Tyson in the G-League last year. Tyson was the worst defender on the roster and that includes the actual G-League roster scrubs, not just the other Nugs roster guys who were playing down there.

There is absolutely nothing that Tyson does on a basketball court as well as Vlatko Cancar. There is no reason for Tyson to be on this roster.

And right now, Gillespie is starting to look like a capable NBA backup, development is what the G League is all about. Both Huff and Key did their time there, but you seem to ignore letting players develop. That's one of the reasons you and I will never see eye-to-eye.

As for Vlatko, yes, he may get some PT but he's only depth, just as Tyson could become. I've never stated he'll make the rotation or be anything more than a backup, but CB believed in him enough to draft him (I wanted Mouhamed Gueye, but what has he done yet ?) and his teammates give him props (they see him more than you or I), so I'm willing to give him a shot.

Done arguing here, peace out

[skywalker33]

Read that, of all players, Zeke Nnaji is leading this team in 3-pt FG % at a 54.5% clip in a limited sample size. He had changed his shooting form (much to his and the team's dismay) so hopefully that could be the start of a resurgence for him.In college he was always known as a good shooting big man.

[famicommander]

Not to worry, but Strawther was gettin min as a rookie BEFORE he was injured, even with Malone at the helm.

As for Tyson, gonna have to agree to disagree, at least at this point in his career. And in the G-League, he WAS averaging 24pts and 8rebs a game, don't know what you were watching but that's not a bad stat line, so I'll wait a bit before I judge the guy, try it until we have replacements. Jalen's in that same boat, but I did expect him to come along faster with his shooting, I can see both nack down in the G League again.

Stats are meaningless without context, especially in the G-League. I watched the games, he was a hopeless chucker and a lazy, garbage time stat padder. 6'1.5" Collin Gillespie regularly out-rebounded him. In fact Gillespie nearly averaged a triple double. Rebounds are extremely easy to come by in the G-League, the level of competition there is low.

Jay Huff and Braxton Key were both better than Tyson in the G-League last year and it wasn't even close. Even Jalen Pickett was better than Tyson in the G-League last year. Tyson was the worst defender on the roster and that includes the actual G-League roster scrubs, not just the other Nugs roster guys who were playing down there.

There is absolutely nothing that Tyson does on a basketball court as well as Vlatko Cancar. There is no reason for Tyson to be on this roster.

And right now, Gillespie is starting to look like a capable NBA backup, development is what the G League is all about. Both Huff and Key did their time there, but you seem to ignore letting players develop. That's one of the reasons you and I will never see eye-to-eye.

As for Vlatko, yes, he may get some PT but he's only depth, just as Tyson could become. I've never stated he'll make the rotation or be anything more than a backup, but CB believed in him enough to draft him (I wanted Mouhamed Gueye, but what has he done yet ?) and his teammates give him props (they see him more than you or I), so I'm willing to give him a shot.

Done arguing here, peace out

Pickett and Tyson literally regressed rather than developing, which was my whole point. Gillespie was very obviously the best player on the court every single time he played in the G-League. When I watched Peyton Watson the year prior, he struggled a bit early but after 5 or 6 games at the G-League level he too was very obviously the best player on the court the rest of his stay there.

Both of Tyson and Pickett spent a whole season in the NBA and G-League last year and both of them came out and had way worse Summer Leagues and way worse preseasons than they had as rookies.

If you actually watch G-League games it's pretty obvious which guys belong at that level and which guys belong at the next level.

Huff and Key are absolutely dominant at the G-League level but they're fringe level NBA guys. Huff is with Memphis on a two-way and Key is competing for the last two-way spot with the Clippers right now. Those two are what fringe NBA guys look like, and both of them looked DRASTICALLY better than Tyson and Pickett for the entire season last year. Gillespie looked levels above Key and Huff, which is why he is firmly entrenched as the #3 point guard in Phoenix right now.

There isn't much more "developing" for these guys to do. Tyson played 140 games in college, he played a summer in the Universiade games for team USA, he now has two preseasons and two summer leagues under his belt, he has a whole NBA/G-League season complete with a playoff run (which means a TON of extra practices with the NBA squad even if he only got into 3 garbage time games).

He is who he is by this point. He's older than Zeke Nnaji.

And Pickett is even older. He had 145 college games. He's only 8 months younger than Michael Porter Jr and he still can't dribble a basketball.

[skywalker33]

Great analytical breakdown of what the rotation should look like by Ryan Blackburn.

https://milehighsports.com/denver-nuggets-regular-season-rotation-julian-strawther-peyton-watson-russell-westbrook-dario-saric/

[TunaFish]

Great analytical breakdown of what the rotation should look like by Ryan Blackburn.

https://milehighsports.com/denver-nuggets-regular-season-rotation-julian-strawther-peyton-watson-russell-westbrook-dario-saric/

Looks right to me as well. Strawther needs to keep up the good play and push Braun. One interesting thought from the article is about Denver possibly adding a piece before the deadline. That looks impossible to me due to the 2nd apron but I hope I am wrong.

[famicommander]

Blackburn acting like it's a close call between Cancar, Nnaji, and Tyson is nonsense.

Cancar is the better and more versatile guy of the three by a lot. And Nnaji is next and it's not even close.

Tyson and Pickett both need to be waived so they can sign any two of Holiday, Fultz, Walker, Smith, and/or Brown.

[skywalker33]

Great analytical breakdown of what the rotation should look like by Ryan Blackburn.

https://milehighsports.com/denver-nuggets-regular-season-rotation-julian-strawther-peyton-watson-russell-westbrook-dario-saric/

Looks right to me as well. Strawther needs to keep up the good play and push Braun. One interesting thought from the article is about Denver possibly adding a piece before the deadline. That looks impossible to me due to the 2nd apron but I hope I am wrong.

If anything, looks like they're trying to build up Nnaji's trade value. With his re-improved shooting form, looks like that+ might be the only trade. I'd hate them trading AG because of the 2nd apron.

[CodeBreaker]

Great analytical breakdown of what the rotation should look like by Ryan Blackburn.

https://milehighsports.com/denver-nuggets-regular-season-rotation-julian-strawther-peyton-watson-russell-westbrook-dario-saric/

Looks right to me as well. Strawther needs to keep up the good play and push Braun. One interesting thought from the article is about Denver possibly adding a piece before the deadline. That looks impossible to me due to the 2nd apron but I hope I am wrong.

If anything, looks like they're trying to build up Nnaji's trade value. With his re-improved shooting form, looks like that+ might be the only trade. I'd hate them trading AG because of the 2nd apron.

If they wanna piss Jokic off, then sure trade AG

[skywalker33]

Looks right to me as well. Strawther needs to keep up the good play and push Braun. One interesting thought from the article is about Denver possibly adding a piece before the deadline. That looks impossible to me due to the 2nd apron but I hope I am wrong.

If anything, looks like they're trying to build up Nnaji's trade value. With his re-improved shooting form, looks like that+ might be the only trade. I'd hate them trading AG because of the 2nd apron.

If they wanna piss Jokic off, then sure trade AG

Sure, it'd hurt Joker to see AG traded, but he's smart enough to realize this is still a business and it's better to get return on value than letting him walk for free