Game 48: Memphis Grizzlies (29-21) @ Denver Nuggets (21-26) - 9:00 PM ET

Post #2 » by **NuggetsWY** » Wed Feb 1, 2017 10:51 pm

Chandler - right neck/shoulder pain - probable
Faried - Left hamstring soreness - probable
Mudiay - Low back pain - questionable
Barton - left ankle soreness - doubtful
Jokic - left hip flexor strain - out

Waiting for our annual Gallinari injury --- Chandler, Faried, Barton have played through injuries, so have some others - anyone else think they'd have fewer injuries if they got some games off to recover when they are "probable"?

Powder Blue · Post #3 » by **Powder Blue** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 12:43 am

All-Star break coming soon, should help out. This core is typically more injured than the have been thus far. Really need Nurk to show up

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Post #4 » by **NuggetsWY** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 1:28 am

Nurkic won't show up until his coach learns how to manage his minutes and his attitude. He supposedly handled Cousins but he can't handle Nurkic? Bah! BTW, not a perfect statistic, but PER says Nurkic is in the top half of the league. That's at least an indicator.

All-Star break should help but if we are "so deep at every position" then why is Gallinari leading the team in minutes? He is the one who traditionally spends the most time injured. Color me pessimistic, but I'm waiting to hear "Gallinari will be out for an extended period of time because of ... ..."

RRFB · Post #5 » by **RRFB** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 2:16 am

I don't understand why Malone is getting blamed for Nurkic's recent struggles. Jokic getting hurt was the perfect opportunity for Nurkic to prove his doubters wrong and he's completely blown it. He was flat-out terrible last night and it wasn't Malone's fault. This may be the last chance he gets at being a starter center, so hopefully he plays better tonight.

DaFan334 · Post #6 » by **DaFan334** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 2:23 am

Looks like we will get to see more Murray at point guard tonight with Mudiay on the a 20 minute restriction and Jameer now in the locker room. Not quite sure what he could have said to get that quick of a second technical with some stuff I've seen others do and not get a single tech.

Hopefully Gasol will get Nurk's competitive nature going, although that might not be the best with these soft calls we've seen so far into the game.

Post #7 » by **NuggetsWY** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 2:47 am

Like Marlowe said, when Harris had a 20 mpg limit, he played 35 minutes in his first game back and the limit was ignored after that.

Mickey8 · Post #8 » by **Mickey8** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 3:01 am

Jokic is badly missed right now.

Post #9 » by **NuggetsWY** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 3:26 am

Mudiay 15 minutes in first half - Murray starting second half - WY odds on Mudiay staying under his 20 mpg limit are 200-to-1 against ;-)

Mickey8 · Post #10 » by **Mickey8** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 4:45 am

Injuries are killing Denver this season , now Gallinari is hurt, I doubt that Denver would have lost the last two games if everyone was healthy :wink:

skywalker33 · Post #11 » by **skywalker33** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 5:19 am

Well, it seems apparent that we don't have a Robin who can step up when Jokic is out or having an off night. Murray is who we're all expecting to step up into that role but he is still a rookie. Can almost put Mudiay in that "as yet to develop" and Harris is still close too. However, the vets don't have that excuse, they are clearly support and not focused enough to "care-y" the load.

Post #12 » by **The Rebel** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 5:28 am

I would tell Nurkic if he kept playing this way than he is not going to be traded, he can rot on the bench.

Also I believe it was NuggetsWY (if not than I apologize to whomever did) who brought up that the Nuggets really need 2 offensive systems, one of Jokic being in, and other for when he is out. This team just acts as if they have no idea to play without Jokic's passing and running the offense. Murray made a few attempts to get the offense going, and guys just were not moving without the ball.

I think this games proves the point I have been harping on for months, we are not ready to add an older veteran or a guy with an expiring contract, the young guys just are not ready. I still really believe that we have some very talented young guys, but even if you got a guy like Millsap for free, they are not ready to take the next step. Find the right long term guys, or get draft picks, and we could have a special team, but if you go after a guy like Ibaka or Millsap now than you are wasting assets as I do not believe either one will do more than help get that 8th seed.

DaFan334 · Post #13 » by **DaFan334** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 5:33 am

WY you **** jinked Gallo you bastard! Could you suspend yourself until he returns from injury? Only seems fair.

skywalker33 · Post #14 » by **skywalker33** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 5:53 am

The Rebel wrote:I would tell Nurkic if he kept playing this way than he is not going to be traded, he can rot on the bench.
.

100% agree with this, if he and his agent think this will initiate a trade for whatever we can get, he needs to do his part to at least return his value to a decent Nuggets return or else. I've said this before, don't let the inmates run the asylum !

The Rebel wrote:Also I believe it was NuggetsWY (if not than I apologize to whomever did) who brought up that the Nuggets really need 2 offensive systems, one of Jokic being in, and other for when he is out. This team just acts as if they have no idea to play without Jokic's passing and running the offense. Murray made a few attempts to get the offense going, and guys just were not moving without the ball.

Not sure I agree with the two system theory, but players should be able to adjust a game plan to each team within a solid core plan.

The Rebel wrote:I think this games proves the point I have been harping on for months, we are not ready to add an older veteran or a guy with an expiring contract, the young guys just are not ready. I still really believe that we have some very talented young guys, but even if you got a guy like Millsap for free, they are not ready to take the next step. Find the right long term guys, or get draft picks, and we could have a special team, but if you go after a guy like Ibaka or Millsap now than you are wasting assets as I do not believe either one will do more than help get that 8th seed.

Sign me up for this, The Rebel for GM/Coach/CEO......I think we're still a building team, Jokic is the focal point but that provides direction now. Being a draftnik, I like to think we can add two (or more ?) strong pieces with the draft choices we have in this draft, making the playoffs this year isn't what this team needs...this year

Chuck Everett · Post #15 » by **Chuck Everett** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 6:31 am

Jokic's injury was just a crusher because with him, we all know they beat the Lakers. Then the NBA for some reason keeps scheduling the Nuggets in back to back games after or to Los Angeles. I don't know why they seem to think LA is close to Denver. I could see Texas, but California is still a longer flight. This is the third time the Nuggets had a back to back with LA as one of the cities.

Post #16 » by **The Rebel** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 6:36 am

skywalker33 wrote:

The Rebel wrote:Also I believe it was NuggetsWY (if not than I apologize to whomever did) who brought up that the Nuggets really need 2 offensive systems, one of Jokic being in, and other for when he is out. This team just acts as if they have no idea to play without Jokic's passing and running the offense. Murray made a few attempts to get the offense going, and guys just were not moving without the ball.

Not sure I agree with the two system theory, but players should be able to adjust a game plan to each team within a solid core plan.

Sorry but the last 2 guys I have seen that can run an offense and pass like Jokic especially in the high post are Bird and Magic, and I doubt either one of them are coming out of retirement.

Jameer is a pick and roll PG, Mudiay is a slashing PG, and Murray is a scoring PG, when Nurkic was still playing the pick and roll would have worked well with Jameer and Nurkic, but Malone has stated numerous times that he thinks that is an old outdated system that will not work in the NBA. Mudiay has to be on the court with 3 shooters, and the bench could support that. For some reason Malone kept him as a starter, and with Barton and Nurkic on the floor there is not enough shooting to spread the floor for Mudiay to run an offense. The only one that is effective running the offense and making it work off the bench is Murray, but the issue is with Nelson and Barton on the floor he does not get enough touches to be effective.

So you cannot have the same offense with or without Jokic, you have to design a system that works for the guys you have so that you have a chance to stay competitive for those 18 mpg that Jokic is out, and be able to use it when Jokic misses a game. Personally I think you have to trade one of Mudiay or Nelson, and you have Murray start coming off the bench with the bench unit and let him play his game which actually fits well with Chandler due to his drive and kick ability, and fits with Barton due to his ability to play off the ball and as a spot up shooter, and he and Hernan-Gomez or Arthur seem to play well together so you could still trade one of Arthur or Faried. 18 mpg with Murray, Barton, Chandler, Hernan-Gomez, and a shotblocking center could be a great bench by this time next year.

skywalker33 wrote:
The Rebel wrote:I think this games proves the point I have been harping on for months, we are not ready to add an older veteran or a guy with an expiring contract, the young guys just are not ready. I still really believe that we have some very talented young guys, but even if you got a guy like Millsap for free, they are not ready to take the next step. Find the right long term guys, or get draft picks, and we could have a special team, but if you go after a guy like Ibaka or Millsap now than you are wasting assets as I do not believe either one will do more than help get that 8th seed.

Sign me up for this, The Rebel for GM/Coach/CEO......I think we're still a building team, Jokic is the focal point but that provides direction now. Being a draftnik, I like to think we can add two (or more ?) strong pieces with the draft choices we have in this draft, making the playoffs this year isn't what this team needs...this year

To me I don't know how much building we have left to do, I view this as a let's see phase. IF the playoffs happen organically, then great, if not then they have a really good chance next year. Get some of the veterans out of the way, so you can start finding out which guys are keepers. right now I am of the belief that Murray, Harris, Hernan-Gomez, and Jokic could be the starters in 2 years and the team could be really good. I think with the right lineup off the bench Mudiay could be a super 6th man type. I also hope the Nuggets still think Beasley could be a good player. However that leaves 3 big holes. You need another forward or 2 depending on what happens with Gallo and Chandler, and you need a backup center. Why not trade one of Faried/ arthur, one of Gallo/Chandler, and Nelson and start working on filling those holes. Then give it to the end of the season to really find out where you are at? If the young guys don't show growth, you replace them with the picks, if enough don't than you still have picks next year, and you can still trade and get value for the young guys who are not good long term fits.

Post #17 » by **The Rebel** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 6:38 am

Chuck Everett wrote:Jokic's injury was just a crusher because with him, we all know they beat the Lakers. Then the NBA for some reason keeps scheduling the Nuggets in back to back games after or to Los Angeles. I don't know why they seem to think LA is close to Denver. I could see Texas, but California is still a longer flight. This is the third time the Nuggets had a back to back with LA as one of the cities.

A couple of years ago enough teams around the NBA complained about having to fly into Denver on a back to back that the NBA does everything they can to avoid scheduling other teams for back to backs coming into Denver but of course they have no problem doing it to the Nuggets, especially since the London trip.

Powder Blue · Post #18 » by **Powder Blue** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 2:13 pm

Wheels falling off again? Injury bug really biting down now. I predict this L anyways. Let's hope they can right the ship rather than suffer a bunch more L's

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MidMountain · Post #19 » by **MidMountain** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 2:17 pm

Chuck Everett wrote:Jokic's injury was just a crusher because with him, we all know they beat the Lakers. Then the NBA for some reason keeps scheduling the Nuggets in back to back games after or to Los Angeles. I don't know why they seem to think LA is close to Denver. I could see Texas, but California is still a longer flight. This is the third time the Nuggets had a back to back with LA as one of the cities.

Denver is 1000 miles from LA... and 1000 miles from Chicago!

Mickey8 · Post #20 » by **Mickey8** » Thu Feb 2, 2017 2:26 pm

Chuck Everett wrote:Jokic's injury was just a crusher because with him, we all know they beat the Lakers. Then the NBA for some reason keeps scheduling the Nuggets in back to back games after or to Los Angeles. I don't know why they seem to think LA is close to Denver. I could see Texas, but California is still a longer flight. This is the third time the Nuggets had a back to back with LA as one of the cities.

Denver is unlucky with all those injuries , since the start of the season , the team almost always have had player or two out of the game play , Arthur, Barton, Gallinari,,Jokic etc. It's just unfortunate thing :-?