Game 43: Denver Nuggets @ San Antonio Spurs 8:30 PM ET

[ducler]

[NuggetsWY]

This might be a game that you don't want to watch until half-time. Both teams tend to start slow. San Antonio is only favored by 4 in Las Vegas.

Denver might be helped if Parker, Leonard, & Green all miss the game. They are "questionable" from what I can find.

Perhaps the most important thing for Denver is for Jokic to keep his cool. He'll be facing two big men that know how to play smart - and that may just included constant physical contact.

[skywalker33]

Didn't realize this was a B-to-B game either. we usually don't do well but IF we do play to the level of our competition, then....nah, scheduled loss

[SoCalNuggsFan]

Malone says he wants RJ in the rotation going forward. So who’s out, Beasley or Craig?

[Acountant_Z]

Incredibly frustrating team these Nuggets.

[U hova]

scheduled loss

[skywalker33]

Wow, SA took advantage of our youth, they shot 2-23, easy to lose that battle.

[The Rebel]

This team is in long term trouble if Malone continues to force a system on these guys that they don't fit. I am tired of hearing the scheduled loss thing, 3rd games in 4th night?

It was only the a year or two ago that 4 in 5 happened a few times a season. In all likelihood the Spurs beat us but it seems like every back to back they don't show up at least 1 of the games, which indicates that Malone is overplaying the guys he is playing and they do not have the stamina. Don't give me the whole crap that Jokic is out of shape, it is the whole roster playing like crap.

Also it never looks like anybody on the team is having fun anymore. They all looked pissed, and like they are pressing, Malone has to calm them down and let them relax a little.

A young team with a deep roster should not be getting killed by a bunch of older veterans. The Spurs were out hustling us, that should not be happening when the 1 thing this team has is youthful energy.

[NuggetsWY]

Malone says he wants RJ in the rotation going forward. So who’s out, Beasley or Craig?

Seems like Craig is out. He's a good defensive SF and that might spoil our attempt to get out of the playoffs.

[NuggetsWY]

Also it never looks like anybody on the team is having fun anymore. They all looked pissed, and like they are pressing, Malone has to calm them down and let them relax a little.

A young team with a deep roster should not be getting killed by a bunch of older veterans. The Spurs were out hustling us, that should not be happening when the 1 thing this team has is youthful energy.

Since losing Millsap, we are definitely not a playoff team and we're proving it. We have too much talent to play this poorly. Was it just two days ago Malone said he didn't have the team ready to play? It appears to be getting worse - rapidly.

Jokic & Harris took over the scoring - just not soon enough. But that's still a positive.

The other positive I saw was Malone finally emptied the bench in a blow out. I've been complaining about that for about two years now. That's time for players to learn. But Malone just doesn't like to give up even when it's clear to everyone else that the game is well out of reach. That's the same problem we have with him forcing players to fit his system - which clearly isn't working. He is not flexible and his drive to win is exceeded only by his faith in himself.

[U hova]

Said another way, if Millsap comes back and we still miss the playoffs, it'll give management good signal to CHANGE

[NuggetsWY]

Said another way, if Millsap comes back and we still miss the playoffs, it'll give management good signal to CHANGE

Do they know how to read signals?

[NuggetsWY]

The offense couldn't move the ball and the defense was porous. It reminded me of a high school football game with one team scoring six points every time they got the ball and an occasional extra point while the other team is standing around watching the great players showing their ability.

[Powder Blue]

Said another way, if Millsap comes back and we still miss the playoffs, it'll give management good signal to CHANGE

I don’t think that will happen, the time without Milsap will be an excuse for why no changes are need, just his health

[Mickey8]

Also it never looks like anybody on the team is having fun anymore. They all looked pissed, and like they are pressing, Malone has to calm them down and let them relax a little.

A young team with a deep roster should not be getting killed by a bunch of older veterans. The Spurs were out hustling us, that should not be happening when the 1 thing this team has is youthful energy.

Since losing Millsap, we are definitely not a playoff team and we're proving it. We have too much talent to play this poorly. Was it just two days ago Malone said he didn't have the team ready to play? It appears to be getting worse - rapidly.

Jokic & Harris took over the scoring - just not soon enough. But that's still a positive.

The other positive I saw was Malone finally emptied the bench in a blow out. I've been complaining about that for about two years now. That's time for players to learn. But Malone just doesn't like to give up even when it's clear to everyone else that the game is well out of reach. That's the same problem we have with him forcing players to fit his system - which clearly isn't working. He is not flexible and his drive to win is exceeded only by his faith in himself.

Even with Millsap this team wasn't that good. Point guard position is still an issue , also weird line ups and how Malone runs this team is another issue.

[Lala870]

Also it never looks like anybody on the team is having fun anymore. They all looked pissed, and like they are pressing, Malone has to calm them down and let them relax a little.

A young team with a deep roster should not be getting killed by a bunch of older veterans. The Spurs were out hustling us, that should not be happening when the 1 thing this team has is youthful energy.

Since losing Millsap, we are definitely not a playoff team and we're proving it. We have too much talent to play this poorly. Was it just two days ago Malone said he didn't have the team ready to play? It appears to be getting worse - rapidly.

Jokic & Harris took over the scoring - just not soon enough. But that's still a positive.

The other positive I saw was Malone finally emptied the bench in a blow out. I've been complaining about that for about two years now. That's time for players to learn. But Malone just doesn't like to give up even when it's clear to everyone else that the game is well out of reach. That's the same problem we have with him forcing players to fit his system - which clearly isn't working. He is not flexible and his drive to win is exceeded only by his faith in himself.

Even with Millsap this team wasn't that good. Point guard position is still an issue , also weird line ups and how Malone runs this team is another issue.

Is the altitude crew still using the "we don't have millsap" excuse as their go to for why the team keeps losing?

[NuggetsWY]

Also it never looks like anybody on the team is having fun anymore. They all looked pissed, and like they are pressing, Malone has to calm them down and let them relax a little.

A young team with a deep roster should not be getting killed by a bunch of older veterans. The Spurs were out hustling us, that should not be happening when the 1 thing this team has is youthful energy.

Since losing Millsap, we are definitely not a playoff team and we're proving it. We have too much talent to play this poorly. Was it just two days ago Malone said he didn't have the team ready to play? It appears to be getting worse - rapidly.

Jokic & Harris took over the scoring - just not soon enough. But that's still a positive.

The other positive I saw was Malone finally emptied the bench in a blow out. I've been complaining about that for about two years now. That's time for players to learn. But Malone just doesn't like to give up even when it's clear to everyone else that the game is well out of reach. That's the same problem we have with him forcing players to fit his system - which clearly isn't working. He is not flexible and his drive to win is exceeded only by his faith in himself.

Even with Millsap this team wasn't that good. Point guard position is still an issue , also weird line ups and how Malone runs this team is another issue.

"Point guard position is still an issue" for Golden State too then. They don't have a real PG. Curry, Green, Durrant all bring the ball up court about the same percentage and start the offense. Thompson does it sometimes, so do others. Boston's PG is their leading scorer and his best offense is creating his own shot. Toronto has a PG that loves to shoot & so does Portland - and that doesn't count Harden & Westbrook & Wall & so on & so on. Even an old man can understand, like it or not, that old names & positions are disappearing.

Denver's team plays rather like Golden State in that respect. Who brings the ball up court is less important than it once was. Who starts the offense doesn't matter in the least for the Nuggets. They need guards that can spot-up and drive.

[NuggetsWY]

Since losing Millsap, we are definitely not a playoff team and we're proving it. We have too much talent to play this poorly. Was it just two days ago Malone said he didn't have the team ready to play? It appears to be getting worse - rapidly.

Jokic & Harris took over the scoring - just not soon enough. But that's still a positive.

The other positive I saw was Malone finally emptied the bench in a blow out. I've been complaining about that for about two years now. That's time for players to learn. But Malone just doesn't like to give up even when it's clear to everyone else that the game is well out of reach. That's the same problem we have with him forcing players to fit his system - which clearly isn't working. He is not flexible and his drive to win is exceeded only by his faith in himself.

Even with Millsap this team wasn't that good. Point guard position is still an issue , also weird line ups and how Malone runs this team is another issue.

Is the altitude crew still using the "we don't have millsap" excuse as their go to for why the team keeps losing?

Still using? Yes, but actually not too often.

[skywalker33]

Also it never looks like anybody on the team is having fun anymore. They all looked pissed, and like they are pressing, Malone has to calm them down and let them relax a little.

A young team with a deep roster should not be getting killed by a bunch of older veterans. The Spurs were out hustling us, that should not be happening when the 1 thing this team has is youthful energy.

Since losing Millsap, we are definitely not a playoff team and we're proving it. We have too much talent to play this poorly. Was it just two days ago Malone said he didn't have the team ready to play? It appears to be getting worse - rapidly.

Jokic & Harris took over the scoring - just not soon enough. But that's still a positive.

The other positive I saw was Malone finally emptied the bench in a blow out. I've been complaining about that for about two years now. That's time for players to learn. But Malone just doesn't like to give up even when it's clear to everyone else that the game is well out of reach. That's the same problem we have with him forcing players to fit his system - which clearly isn't working. He is not flexible and his drive to win is exceeded only by his faith in himself.

Even with Millsap this team wasn't that good. Point guard position is still an issue , also weird line ups and how Malone runs this team is another issue.

Thought you wanted the ball in Jokic's hands ALL the time ????

[NuggetsWY]

Since losing Millsap, we are definitely not a playoff team and we're proving it. We have too much talent to play this poorly. Was it just two days ago Malone said he didn't have the team ready to play? It appears to be getting worse - rapidly.

Jokic & Harris took over the scoring - just not soon enough. But that's still a positive.

The other positive I saw was Malone finally emptied the bench in a blow out. I've been complaining about that for about two years now. That's time for players to learn. But Malone just doesn't like to give up even when it's clear to everyone else that the game is well out of reach. That's the same problem we have with him forcing players to fit his system - which clearly isn't working. He is not flexible and his drive to win is exceeded only by his faith in himself.

Even with Millsap this team wasn't that good. Point guard position is still an issue , also weird line ups and how Malone runs this team is another issue.

Thought you wanted the ball in Jokic's hands ALL the time ????

If I had my way, Jokic would run to the high post with someone else dribbling the ball up court and passing it to Jokic. Everyone would then run and cut around, past, near or far, along the baseline and if Jokic passed the ball and they didn't score, they'd get the ball back to him and start running some more. That offense seemed unstoppable last year and it certainly doesn't require great coaching or many plays.