Game 2 : Los Angeles Clippers (0-1) @ Denver Nuggets (0-1)

[THE J0KER]

The Clippers are playing without Kawhi Leonard, so we don't need our best game to beat them at home. However, our performance in the opening game was disappointing, we need to take this game very seriously.

[THE J0KER]

1st quarter, assists: Denver-1, Harden-7.

Team with two biggest triple-double legends!?

[JM00n69]

First Q notes in order start of 1stQ:

*MPJ iso elbow D on Mann was excellent. No help, got beat on the last step back clock winding down but forced a contested 3pt that missed.
*Jamal bad transition D - led to a basket
*Jok vgood show on PnR and then cover Zubak
Jok good catch top of key and immediate take, spin move into paint and then lob to AG who missed dunk due to foul. Could've shot himself as well. A+ to take it in on catch
*Murray vpoor half court D on Harden elbow iso. Slow motion drive and 0D or help D- Resulted in a score
*AG bad take on transition ending in a bad pass to Murray in the corner. Barely caught it and shot immediately. Was wide open but rushed shot with the pass out of pocket. Airball
*Murray not back on D, quick 5 on 4 ending as a 2pt as he got over half court
*2 Unit, switch all but poor rotations ending in a FG. No communication
*Sarcic good catch mid post and a quick strong take, missed but got fouled, no call - 2.09 left in 1st
*Poor rotations and 0 rim protection for rest of 1st. Good to see MPJ in there but needs a mobile big. AG probably over PWAT

[famicommander]

Saric is horrible.
Westbrook is horrible.

[JM00n69]

Murray's legs look OK both sides but effort needs to better. There's no rotation or rim protector behind him. Seems lazy.

MPJ needs to have some proper sets ran for him. Not just be a spot up shooter. Iso and get him in low post sets with AG on the weak side. He's so much more clued in on D and rebounding when his offence is running. He has the size and touch in mid post. Use it ffs. Draw a double and move the ball then

Braun has to be more aggro driving/cutting with the first unit.

[JM00n69]

Saric is horrible.
Westbrook is horrible.

They have been so far. Both new and probably looking to impress but when they get comfortable could squeeze something more out of them and get decent bench mins. Malone and the assistants need to plug in some new plays and rotations. Can't rely on the Jok/JM27 and shooters. MPJ can handle some off ball catches and post him up FFS when he's on with the starting 5. Need him to score more. Run the bench with MPJ and AG and Strawhter. Use Russ as a playmaker, PNR and give JS minutes and let him shoot and get his confidence.

[JM00n69]

CB is fine as the one good D and not shooter on the starting 5 but have him cut and give the green light from 3pt now if he's open. Build his confidence over the RS.

In this game AG should be getting some low post iso's thrown at him against JJ. Have Murray and MPJ space and Jok+CB move and cut

[JM00n69]

They need to add plays for MPJ that are mid catches off back cuts, low post iso catches and include him as a 1st option after a PNR to catch then have AG/Jamal and CB move to space or cut.

[JM00n69]

G1 against MIA who went short and AG got 3 quick low post ups to start and KLove then started at the 4 after that game. Use AG and MPJ this game against LAC shorter defenders at the 3 and 4. Mid post both either side and Murray/Jok PnR on the key at the 3pt line. Have CB freelance and look to cut or screen/pass. Get into it quick and then go to secondary movements if needed with MPJ/Murray going out to the 3pt and Jok into post gordon cutting.

[JM00n69]

Malone needs a win here and is stubborn with rotations AND also there is 100% bad blood with him and MB. but he needs to extend the rotation and try the bench guys/give them mins during RS. NNaji would be better in this lineup instead of Saric and MPJ instead of PWAT.

And come up with plays for MPJ. Off ball 3pts, fake cuts off the same plays and low posts. Then maybe Russ wont think he has to take every semi open shot

[JM00n69]

Jok with the carry job again. He misses 1-2 of those threes and Clips would be on a run. If he misses rest of the team gives up

7:20 left in the 4th Jok top of the key, AG had a chance to post up but cleared to the right corner, passed it to MPJ who also could've taken a screen from jok or AG, isod, could've posted up in space or against a much smaller defender, ended up taking and missing a contested long 2.

Russ and CB spread on the other side behind the 3pt line. Plenty of space for MPJ. Denver knows to cut and move, Malone needs to make MPJ more than just a spot up shooter. I bet most of the time he takes the shot because no one else will and he thinks he needs to

[JM00n69]

Close game before the challenge <1min left in 4th, tie game. Nugs had possestion and 2TOs none used. Same Jok/Murray HPnR with Gordon at dunker spot, MPJ right corner closely guarded/standing around/probably no help from D planned because he wont move. CB on the left corner where AG was. AG should've at least been on MPJ side for some screen action. Murray PnR roll drive, D drops and covers, he's deep but no shot and no pass to corners because MPJ and CB are just standing. Murray's lay up is blocked.

14s left. Den last TO down 3. Poor poor end of play coaching imo

[JM00n69]

First DEN game I watched this season. Could've won that and Malone needs to adjust this year. Against a small LAC roster MPJ and AG should've had more post ups.

He needs to use MPJ more than just a spot up shooter. He is streaky and has bad games when his shots aren't falling and is also worse on D and rebounds then. He needs to be 2b with Murray who's also declining from his Championship run. Get MPJ to move and draw the D so AG and CB can move/cut. CB is a good defender but KCP was a more confident shooter from 3 and also a lot of the times he took one two dribbles in and shot a confident midrange jumper.

[THE J0KER]

Home court, Jokic's 40+ game including a career-high 7 threes, and Clippers without franchise player Kawhi Leonard is not enough for the win!?

Two games are way too early to panic, but so far only Jokic and Braun playing well (and even Joker underperformed badly in defense with Holmgren and even Zubac looked like a superstar).

We discussed who is our best bench player, but after opening two games the question is who are the worst. Shooting % was never a Westbrook thing, but a 2-18 start of the season is a nightmare start (Saric and Watson combined were similarly bad 2-14), so only Strawther can be used in offense so far (but in defense he is a foul-machine, -35 combined so far in 2 games).

[JM00n69]

Zubac has always been one of worst matchups for Jok. hes great at reading/helping and then switching back on the Hpnr and then contesting without fouling. great lateral speed and also has the size and strength to bother low post and box out. had a great game himself tonight. if LAL had kept him and then had AD at the 4..

Jokic looked fck amazing btw. no hesitation on drives or taking the threes, very confident but he also seemed a lot quicker and stronger. didnt see him moan once to the refs

[CodeBreaker]

MPJ looked really bad out there. Passing an open 3 only to pass it to AG who is obviously a worse shooter lol

[famicommander]

Good thing we don't have any 7'2" shot blockers shooting the leather off the ball named Jay Huff right now.

Way too many of those guys just floating around for free, let me tell ya.

[davoarid]

Malone needs a win here and is stubborn with rotations AND also there is 100% bad blood with him and MB. but he needs to extend the rotation and try the bench guys/give them mins during RS. NNaji would be better in this lineup instead of Saric and MPJ instead of PWAT.

Who or what is “MB” here? It’s been bugging me all day haha.