???

I know this guy (take a lap Rasmussen), however. Speaking of, Hawks/Nuggets (lap) fans alike should all fondly recall milquetoast superstar Blair Rasmussen from the 80's. I'm still working on acquiring one of his scarce #41 jerseys.

Keepin' the seat warm for Barton, who seems to be in a best case time-frame in terms of returning from an injury that required surgery. He should be back in the lineup by around December 15th.

Nuggets vs Atlanta: This much is certain; Atlanta is one of the top programs on television, just not on league pass.

Or:

I just took a dozen laps around the Mile High City, and boy are my wings tired... or something.

When last these two teams squared off in game 41 of last season, the Nuggets (lap) enjoyed double figure TPM contributions from only three players led by Will Barton (lap) +13, Mason Plumlee +19 & Gary Harris (lap) +22 . Four players were in the red for that encounter, led by Nikola Jokic (lap) -7, en route to an embarrassing 97-110 home loss (stop me if you've heard this one recently) in January of last season, the winter of our discontent. Jokic (lap) went 4-21 from the floor and Denver (lap) could not stay in from of the since-jettisoned Dennis Schroeder (not to be confused with Schrödinger’s cat; an excellent piece published today by Denver Stiffs writer Mike Olson.) Alas, a fine outing by Gary Harris (lap) was wasted, as he went for 25-7-3 with 2 steals and a block on 11-14 shooting, resulting in a plus/minus rating of -6, despite the aforementioned TPM score of +22.

As for this game, Atlanta is in full-blown rebuild mode. Winners only thrice, their future fortune is tied to the development of Trae Young, John Collins, Taurean Prince and promising puerile prospect, Vince "Someday I May Just Earn A Nickname" Carter. I should really avoid age bits as he's 13 (lap) days my junior. In the reality of today's parity-bereft NBA, they'll need Young to become a superstar, one of the other two to become an all-star and they'll need to hit on yet another of what will likely be more than one high lottery picks, in the coming years. This season they get above-average contribution from Kent Bazemore, marginal veteran supplementation in the form of Jeremy Lin and some semi-intriguing beneficence from young big men, Len and Dedmon. Additionally they have reason to be hopeful for development in their other rookie, Huerter.

Denver (lap) must obviously make hay in their front-court as the Hawks have no healthy bodies who can guard/cause defensive problems for Big Honey (lap) or The Anchorman (lap.) Millsap (Mills-lap) in particular, I expect to come out aggressively tonight as he was held without a single rebound in the last game, since he's moved more beyond the arc (where his shooting percentage has grown to a highly respectable 40%.) Every player enjoys playing against their former team.

Prediction: Denver (lap) 123 - Atlanta 97. The Nuggets (lap) will play just their second excellent game of the season vs a team with low expectations. Denver (lap) /due, Atlanta/annihilated. Blue (lap) balls brought by backed-up baby batter bring bombastic bukake. Another lap, I'm on it.

Go Nuggets!

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If you are viewing the pre-game version of the TPM piece; and you enjoy Gonzo-basketball reporting, I invite you to please join me after the game where the same link will lead you to the post game version. In it, all of the disjointed/unsightly blanks below will be filled, complete with data/analysis and more snark than "Snarknado VI: Snakenado", which I'm told is about a pessimistic, albino, black mamba who emerges from micro-bursts to torment the people of Los Angeles with shady tweets.

There be monsters; shameless, personal plug alert! (by permission of Denver Stiffs): If you are in the market for clothing, featuring the four major Denver sports franchises as well s CU, please open this link in a new tab to see if there is anything you are interested in. You don't have to order from the link of course if you are in the Denver Metro area, as I'm more than happy to meet up with you (please refrain from bringing rotten tomatoes), drastically lowering the cost, as Poshmark takes a healthy cut as well as shipping & handling. Thanks in advance!

Unique, hard to find, one of a kind and custom gear of your favorite team

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And now what none of you come here for; how about some basketball nerdery?!?!

(After these messages... Er Nicknames)

Atlanta Hawks Roster

Denver Nuggets Roster

Update: MPJ and I.T. are sleeping on Ice, awaiting intel as to when their services will be required. Rookie Jared Vanderbilt will have to wait to make his rookie debut until long after R.O.Y. candidate Thomas Welsh, as he recovers from an actual injury. Finally, Barton had successful surgery on his abductor and hip. He will be evaluated for return in mid-December. As for Atlanta, Len is a game time decision with a balky ankle, Collins is doubtful with the same, Anderson is out with an undisclosed leg ailment while Dedmon is out on a date.

Re-up: Prince is ALSO out with an Achilles injury. The tank, inadvertent or otherwise has a full head of steam.

Data: Open this link in a new tab for the definition of TPM™

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TPM™ Game 15 ATL

Jamal Murray: +12

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Monte Morris: +5

Gary Harris: +25

Malik Beasley: +20

Torrey Craig: +1

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: +2

Will Barton: N/A

Juancho Hernangomez: +18

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Jared Vanderbilt: N/A

Paul Millsap: +15

Trey Lyles: +23

Tyler Lydon: +3

Nikola Jokic: +30

Mason Plumlee: -5

Thomas Welsh: N/A

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Total TPM™

Jamal Murray: 15 games +210

Isaiah Thomas: 0 games +0

Monte Morris: 15 games +196

Gary Harris: 15 games +218

Malik Beasley: 15 games +51

Torrey Craig: 13 games -5

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: 4 games +0

Will Barton: 2 games +33

Juancho Hernangomez: 14 games +26

Michael Porter Jr.: 0 games +0

Jared Vanderbilt: 0 games +0

Paul Millsap: 15 games +132

Trey Lyles: 15 games +126

Tyler Lydon: 5 games +4

Nikola Jokic: 15 games +284

Mason Plumlee: 15 games +82

Thomas Welsh: 3 games -1

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Avg. TPM™ Per Game

Jamal Murray: +14.00

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Monte Morris: +13.07

Gary Harris: +14.53

Malik Beasley: +3.40

Torrey Craig: -0.30

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: +0.00

Will Barton: +16.50

Juancho Hernangomez: +1.86

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Jared Vanderbilt: N/A

Paul Millsap: +8.80

Trey Lyles: 8.40

Tyler Lydon: +0.80

Nikola Jokic: +18.93

Mason Plumlee: +5.47

Thomas Welsh: -0.33

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TPM™ Per-Minute Splits Through Game 11:

*Credit DomP on the Spreadsheet. It's as if my (nerdy) baby (TPM™) learned to speak

Analysis:

Qtr1- The Nuggets trot out their second iteration of the post-Craig (RIP), injury-replacement starting five, consisting of Morris, Harris, Juancho, Millsap & Jokic. The Hawks counter with Young, Bazemore, Bembry, Spellman & Len. Monte gets a surprise start over Murray. I don't hate it but I'd have preferred the three guard lineup, though a future bench unit of Murray, Thomas, Porter, Lyles and Plumlee is tantalizing. So far it's working as the Nuggets are off to a 7-0 start. Juancho with an athletic layup and it's 9-0 at 9:25. I'm not sure if it's the lineup change or not but Juancho and Millsap have an extra pep to their step as it's 13-0 prior to Atlanta's inaugural bucket at 7:30.

Murray is obviously first off the pine at 5:57 of an 11 point game. Lyles is next in for the good guys at 4:32 with a 13 point lead. Jokic earns his second foul of the "only Jokic" variety and he's replaced by Mason at 3:45. Beasley is in soon after and the lead is still significant at 14. Three starters for the Nuggets, Millsap/Harris/Jokic each have two early assists. Mason has two quick fouls for Denver and now both centers are in foul trouble. Millsap is in to play the five for the Nuggets with under a minute remaining. Denver is paced in TPM by Juancho +10, Jokic +11 & Harris +13 as they lead 35-23 after one.

Qtr2- For reasons beyond my comprehension, Malone inserts Plumlee to begin the 2nd and he immediately nabs a third foul. Malone's response; inserting Jokic and his two fouls at 1:40?!?! Highly questionable, to say the least. Denver leads by 15 as they head into the first break of the second period with 9:30 to play. The Nuggets are starting to be careless with the ball and in getting back in transition and the lead is cut to 11 at 8:28. Bazemore goal-tends a Jokic shot that would have otherwise missed. That was an excellent international rules play. Gary's shot continues on it's upward trend from the arc, as he drains a triple and the lead is 13 at 6:15. The Nuggets look like they could steal the ball each and every time down the floor, from this young Hawks team.

Harris and Jokic are the first two Nuggets to reach double figures in scoring. Atlanta is exceedingly careless with their passes and Denver leads by 18 with 4:47 remaining. Lyles is having a tremendous offensive game and he's third in double digits for the Nuggets. Jokic is on 3D pace with a line of 11-5-5 and 2:25 to go. Murray makes four players already to achieve double figures in scoring for Denver. Jokic comes out and Malone's gamble payed off, with 1:15 to play. Juancho's 2nd quarter defensive closeouts are as listless as he was energetic in the first. Millsap is the fifth Denver player to reach double digits in scoring. The Nuggets score a season's best 73 first half points. Denver is paced in TPM by Millsap +11, Harris +13, Lyles +14, Murray +15, & Jokic +18 as they lead 73-57 at the half.

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Qtr3- The Nuggets once again are off to a fast start to the half as they lead by 20 at 10:08. Juancho is the sixth Nuggets player in double digits already! They could be going for a new intergalactic record. The lead is at it's greatest discrepancy, 23 points at 8:08, forcing an Atlanta timeout. To their credit, the Hawks are still fighting and have picked up the defensive intensity, led by Lin and Bembry. Juancho finger-roll Scott? Really? The lead is up to 25 and Juancho has regained the form he began the game with, which you love to see out of a young player.

Jokic has been shooting to draw fouls rather than score and has his second "only Jokic" foul of the game following one such occasion in which the foul wasn't called. One of the coaches has GOT to put the kibosh on that. The Nuggets now have their largest lead of the season with a 31 point spread at 4:20 (smoke 'em if you got 'em) to play. Jokic takes a seat and is likely done for the night; another 3D falls by the wayside but in this case in the form of a much-needed blowout. Mason looks to be fired up; eager to acquit himself of a forgettable first half. No players for either squad are in any sort of serious individual foul trouble. Denver is paced in TPM by Murray +12, Juancho +13, Millsap +15, Lyles +18, Harris +25 & Jokic +30, as they lead big, 107-73 after three.

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Qtr4- I may not have much to say in this period as I'm watching Two ornery pugs for the night, along with the partial custody I have over a min-pin. Modern family, amirite? Thank goodness for blowouts. I'd love to see Beasley and Morris reach double digits to tie the season high of eight players with double figure scoring output. Craig is appropriately being utilized for the first time tonight, as recycling time commences in earnest at 7:54. Mason has two fourth quarter turnovers on careless passes. Make that three, though this one is on Lyles who led him a tad too much on a baseline cut. The Nuggets lead by 34 with 7:12 to go. Plumlee (the good one) dunks on Plumlee (the bad guy) and so close to Thanksgiving! Their mom has got to be livid! Lydon checks in and I'm relatively sure I'm done covering analysis. I lied. DAP checks in, warranting coverage. Beasley makes seven Nuggets players to reach double digits in scoring. Denver leads by 42 with 3:50 to go! Lydon drills one from Thornton. Morris limps off the court and obviously we hope it's nothing serious. Juancho has a season high of 25 with under a minute to play and this one is ova! Denver is paced in TPM by Murray +12, Millsap +15, Juancho +18, Beasley +21, Lyles +23, Harris +25 & Jokic +30, as they win going away,138-93.

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Final Thoughts: About fucking time Nuggets! I really need a Mason Plumlee jersey in my inventory. Denver needs results like this EACH AND EVERY TIME they face actively tanking teams, from here on out.

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The Nuggets Win!

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