Denver Nuggets’ Season Has Been the Tale of Two Teams
By Court Zierk
@courtzierk
Chris Humphreys – USA TODAY Sports
When the buzzer sounded on Nov. 12, marking the end of the first half between the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers, the fans at the Pepsi Center loudly let out a chorus of boos directed squarely at their home team and their coach. It was only the seventh game of this young season, yet the 84 points allowed to the visiting team, combined with the five-game losing streak the Nuggets were currently riding, made the fans react with vitriol and angst.
It was one of the lowest points I can recall for a franchise that only two years prior won 57 games and made their 10th straight playoff appearance. Calls were being made for Brian Shaw’s job. Questions surrounded the players’ desire and willingness to play within the system Shaw had laid out for them. It was a disastrous start, and this drubbing at the hands of the Blazers, in the confines of their own gym, threatened to be the impetus of change.
But then something funny happened on the way to Indiana. Whether it was a closed-door meeting, a player-driven charge or simply a realization that they were becoming a national laughingstock, that plane ride to Indianapolis must have been a sight to behold.
Since that time, the Nuggets have won six of their last seven games, including wins against the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls, and they have looked impressive in doing so for the most part.
They have slowly started to increase their horrendous shooting percentage. In their seven wins, they are shooting around 46 percent, and that includes a 37 percent shooting performance against the Los Angeles Lakers. But for the most part, it is difficult to statistically pinpoint what has been different in their seven wins when compared to their losses.
They are only rebounding slightly better in their wins, about three more per game. Their assist total is virtually identical. They are taking better care of the ball, but only by a margin of about two turnovers per game. They are scoring only four more points per game. So what is the difference then?
Two words: Effort and belief.
These are things that can’t always be quantified but are apparent when watching their games. They look comfortable with and confident in each other. Shaw has nailed down a consistent rotation, and that is allowing those players to get their feet under them while also giving those same players more confidence in Shaw’s decisions. Their defensive intensity has skyrocketed, as has their overall pace of play.
It is hard to say who this Nuggets team really is. My best guess is they are somewhere between the team that started out 1-6 and this team that has won six of seven, but one thing is for sure — the season has a new outlook, and fans have a reason to be excited.
Court Zierk is a Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @CourtZierk, “Like”him on Facebook or add him on Google.
Decision Day Drawing Near For Heat
The Miami Heat season is sinking fast enough to make Pat Riley mull over changes. Read More
Clippers' Griffin Solidifies Superstar Status
Blake Griffin's Herculean performance and lucky buzzer-beating bounce helped the Clippers defeat the Phoenix Suns in thrilling fashion on Monday night. Read More
Gay's Contract Extension Proving To Be A Bargain
After reaching a contract extension earlier this season, Rudy Gay is proving he was well worth the money. Read More
Joe Lacob Correct in Hiring Steve Kerr
In a controversial move, the Golden State Warriors fired Mark Jackson this offseason. However, Steve Kerr has proved Joe Lacob right in guiding the Warriors to the best record in the NBA thus far. Read More
Primary Issue For Denver Nuggets Is Inconsistency
The Denver Nuggets have accumulated a few solid wins this season, but also a number of bad losses, and that inconsistency has been the major problem for the team. Read More
Metta World Peace Lives With the Juice He's Given
In his official blog, Metta World Peace compares living life to squeezing a lemon. Read More
Primary Issue For Dallas Mavericks Is Defense
The Dallas Mavericks have been one of the best teams in the NBA through 22 games, but the team needs to pick up their play on the defensive end of the court as the season continues. Read More
Phoenix Suns' Biggest Issue Is Defense
Find out why defense is the biggest issue for the Phoenix Suns. Read More
Adam Silver Moving NBA In Right Direction
Adam Silver is the best commissioner in all of professional sports, as he continues to move the NBA in a positive, forward direction. Read More
76ers: Tanking Strategy May Get Team Nowhere
Taking a look at why the Philadelphia 76ers' well-documented purposeful tank job may not ultimately get the organization where it wants to go. Read More
Jazz Heading Towards Long-Term NBA Purgatory
Taking a look at why the Utah Jazz are well on their way to an undesirable future. Read More
Youth Is Timberwolves' Biggest Issue
The Minnesota Timberwolves can be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NBA sometimes. Other times, they are just down right awful. See what issue they need to address to win consistently. Read More