Yahoo Sports fantasy pre-draft darling Allen & Russell (I think), goofing around.

My personal pick for best backup PG in the league, Colorado's own Spencer Dinwiddie.

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 Brooklyn: Wound licking time for Big Honey and the Nugg-pups / or:

Is Malone In Joker's Dog house?

When last these two teams squared off, over a full year ago in game 11 of last season, Denver enjoyed double figure TPM contributions from four players, led by Will Barton +10, Paul Millsap +14, Gary Harris +15 and an excellent +38 from Nikola Jokic. Fortunately only two players were in the red for that encounter, led by Wilson Chandler -4, en route to a ho-hum blowout if there can be such a thing; a game in which the discrepancy of play far outweighed the actual score, a 112-104 victory. Ally looked smashing in the light blue button up blouse and chandelier necklace that evening, though her "Gatsby" wrist-watch was a little "extra" for my liking.

Jokic was a man amongst boys in said game, with a final line of 41-12-5, two steals, two blocked shots and an unfathomable 16-25 from the floor. I mention this for any Brooklyn fans who may be reading as Big Honey has attempted a mere 18 shots in the last five games combined, in going 50% from the floor. The 41 points was a career high which was greater than the combined total for Brooklyn's starting unit and illustrates what happens when the reluctant star plays with intensity. Finally, My creaky back didn't allow me to smoke at halftime during that Nuggets/Nets game, as was my practice at the time; a blessing in disguise? I'm approaching 2.5 months free of nicotine at the time of this piece. The back has been acting up again this week out of nowhere so lets hope tonight's home performance vs the Nets isn't as listless as the previous such encounter.

Something to watch for in this one will be possible repercussions for Malone leaving Denver's starters in the game late into a blowout (don't let the final score fool you) as Jokic chased a career high. It seems hypocritical in light of that, his public chastising of Murray's going for 50 vs the C's. More than likely I'm the only one who saw that as untoward but if this one gets chippy, you heard it here first.

As for this game, Brooklyn is powered by the respectable back-court trio of Russell, LeVert & Dinwiddie. Between them they average 16.7 points, 3.6 rebounds & 4.3 assists, essentially they as a troika = Jamal Murray. Allen and Hollis-Jefferson provide the defensive acumen while Napier, Harris, Crabbe, Davis & Dudley all inject modest but important contributions of varying varieties. As a team they shoot a high percentage, especially from distance and average 109.4 PPG while surrendering 108.6 PPG, on their way to a 5-6 record, which not surprisingly lands them just .5 games out of playoff contention in the leastern Conference. They are not to be slept on however as their young core is making strides in the right direction and they are winners of two straight (more than can be said for the Nuggets) including a 25 point shellacking of the 76ers. As NETSDAILY's Jason Max Rose sarcastically opined in his pre-game piece:

Two wins in a row!! Who knew winning basketball games could be so much fun? Most of us, probably. But we’re so deprived that a two-game winning streak feels like a legitimate boon.

With regard to the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, I beg of you. Whatever point you are clearly attempting to make, knock it off! My personal opinion is that he is protesting the lack of spacing that Craig's insertion provides to some degree but more on point, Malone's insistence on calling plays nearly every time down the court, something that always stifles the well oiled machine that is a free-flowing, Jokic-led, improvisational, move-without-the-ball-offense.

Most pundits and Nuggets fans alike poo-poo this notion and say the cause it's far less nefarious; that he's simply taking what is given and making the best plays in his mind in any given moment but Malone's comments following the last game don't add up. I have no credentials at risk of revocation so I'm free to call it as I see it, in a manner most people covering the team are not afforded. When the coach said "Jokic isn't shooting and we need to find out why" that reeked of disingenuous cover-up to me. He stopped shooting five games ago so there is no doubt in my mind that Malone had addressed the matter with Jokic in that time frame. If not then the problem is even bigger than it seems. To me this indicates that Malone is privy to Nikola's discontent and is stubbornly refusing the demands being tacitly requested by his star player. Malone continues to site the win/loss record as a reason for keeping the ineffective lane clogger that is Torrey Craig in the starting five, while completely ignoring how obviously better the team is with either Juancho, Malik or even the PG Morris in, for Craig.

To my knowledge no beat-writers, Altitude employees or bloggers have broached the topic of play-calling with Michael Malone, for obvious reasons. If they have, I'd LOVE to hear Malone's reply to that one because year in/year out, the Nuggets get off to a sluggish start offensively, as they dedicate nearly all early season and training camp practice time to defensive drills. Malone stubbornly calls the majority of the early season offensive sets and low and behold, the combination of this highly skilled offensive team's innate ability to score comes back to them after much in-game repetition, in SPITE of Malone, causing him to cease with the confounding control issue over play-calling, generally at or around December 15th and the offense begins to hum. It is my opinion that Jokic would prefer to get the ball rolling in November this season instead, as I truly do believe that the primary concern for Big Honey is wins and losses, while at times I question if Malone's M.O. can be blinded by a desire to be correct.

If I am on to something and this is some form of passive aggressive protest by The Joker, it may be a sign of a star-ego finally seeping into his character which in his and ONLY his case amongst the NBA elite, I see as a decidedly good thing, even if his approach could be far more effective with a more direct conversation.

Prediction: Denver 121 - Brooklyn - 107.

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)

Brooklyn Nets 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. Millsap is probable tonight with an ankle injury. Finally, Barton had successful surgery on his abductor and hip. He will be evaluated for return in mid-December. As for Brooklyn, Treveon Graham is out with a hammy but Carrol is probable to return from an ankle injury.

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

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TPM™ Game 12 BK

Jamal Murray: +6

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Monte Morris: +9

Gary Harris: -2

Malik Beasley: +6

Torrey Craig: -8

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: N/A

Will Barton: N/A

Juancho Hernangomez: -2

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Jared Vanderbilt: N/A

Paul Millsap: +9

Trey Lyles: +1

Tyler Lydon: N/A

Nikola Jokic: +26

Mason Plumlee: -2

Thomas Welsh: N/A

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Total TPM™

Jamal Murray: 12 games +185

Isaiah Thomas: 0 games +0

Monte Morris: 12 games +148

Gary Harris: 12 games +173

Malik Beasley: 11 games +27

Torrey Craig: 11 games -11

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: 3 games -2

Will Barton: 2 games +33

Juancho Hernangomez: 11 games +12

Michael Porter Jr.: 0 games +0

Jared Vanderbilt: 0 games +0

Paul Millsap: 12 games +85

Trey Lyles: 12 games +90

Tyler Lydon: 4 games +1

Nikola Jokic: 12 games +228

Mason Plumlee: 12 games +77

Thomas Welsh: 3 games -1

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Avg. TPM™ Per Game

Jamal Murray: +15.42

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Monte Morris: +12.33

Gary Harris: +14.42

Malik Beasley: +2.45

Torrey Craig: -1.00

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: -0.67

Will Barton: +16.50

Juancho Hernangomez: +1.09

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Jared Vanderbilt: N/A

Paul Millsap: +7.08

Trey Lyles:+7.50

Tyler Lydon: +0.25

Nikola Jokic: +19.00

Mason Plumlee: +6.42

Thomas Welsh: -0.33

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TPM™ Per-Minute Splits Through Game 10:

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

Analysis:

Qtr1- The Nuggets trot out their injury-replacement starting five, consisting of The Blue Arrow, Just Gary Harris, Torrey FUCKING Craig, The Anchorman & Big Honey. The Nets counter with Russell, LeVert, Harris, Dudley & Allen. The Nuggets don the royal blue with red trim alternate jerseys for the first time this season, my personal favorite of the four new jerseys. I'll say it, I'm not a huge fan of the fruit stripe gum, rainbow pastels. I might like them on a dark background but on white they look hollow. Jokic sticks a long range J for his first bucket, equaling his output in shots attempted from the previous game vs Memphis but BK has made three of their own from beyond the arc and lead 9-2 at 9:20. A fourth three, this one from Joe Harris forces a Malone timeout and BK leads 12-2 as they head into the initial break at 8:56. The Nets have shot nothing but threes thus-far (4-7) and Denver has three early turnovers. Russell steals the ball from Big Honey followed by an "Only Jokic" foul, this one may result in clear-path infraction, reason alone not to risk it. It is indeed a clear-path foul, making the compound mistake a large one.

Dudley nabs his 2nd foul at 5:14 and BK fans rejoice. Juancho, Lyles & Morris are in for the Nuggets, who have six turnovers already at 4:12, trailing by 6. Jokic is a different player tonight with nine points already and as soon as BK starts to inevitably miss from downtown, Denver should reap the benefits of a suddenly flowing offense. The Dudley foul was reassigned elsewhere and Nets fans groan in unison. Jokic has five turnovers already as BK leads by nine at 2:44. Big Honey can score in the low block at will vs this lineup and he does exactly that, becoming the first Nugget to reach double figures in scoring. Not only this but he's drawing numerous fouls by the simple virtue of being an offensive threat. Murray & Craig in particular have been victimized in sagging into the lane vs this excellent three point shooting team for Brooklyn, while Juancho has had the opposite issue; getting up too tight where his lead feet make for an easy blow-by. No players for either squad are in any sort of serious, individual foul trouble. The Nuggets are paced in TPM by Jokic +7 as they trail by 10, 34-24 after one.

Qtr2- The Nuggets take an exceedingly early timeout at 10:35, trailing by 11. To his credit, Juancho seems to be taking a more measured approach to close-outs in the early moments of the 2nd. The suddenly slumping Avs trail Winnipeg 2-0 heading into the third period. Beasley has yet to play tonight as Malone appears to be shortening his bench over the course of the last two games. The Nets are an unconscious 9-16 from distance in this one; the difference in the game without a doubt. Morris is keeping the Nuggets in the game, if an eleven point deficit can be described as such. Plumlee earns three quick fouls and he must exit with 6:23 to play, trailing by 10. The starters begin filtering back in for the Nuggets at this point. BK has already attempted 22 threes with 5:30 to play. Big Honey is 6-6 from the floor but has zero assists. Beasley checks in at 4:45. Jokic has two fouls and he MUST avoid acquiring his third prior to halftime or Denver is in DEEP trouble.

He finally misses on a shot in which he believed he was fouled and earns a T for protesting. Harris has a line of 0-0-0 thus far for the good guys. Denver cuts it to nine on an aggressive offensive rebound and put back by Nikola who is now just one board away from an early 2D. It's great to see him allow his play to do the talking. It may be a good time to replace Jokic as a means to avoid foul trouble and perhaps experiment with a three guard lineup with 3:35 to play. He has his 2D at 3:18, down nine. Brooklyn still has no answer for Big Honey in the post. Denver has eleven turnovers already! Gary is 0-7 from the floor and simply does not look right tonight. "Watch out for those Serbian elbows" declares Marlowe "You might get one for a snack." Beasley drills a three and the lead is down to four on the strength of a 7-0 run for Denver. Jokic has a typically head-scratching line of 20-12-0 on 9-12 from the floor, as the half comes to a close. He was very fortunate not to have been saddled with a third foul and Malone has been highly inconsistent in how he delegates personnel in this way all year. Denver is paced in TPM by Jokic +15 as they trail 55-47 at the half.

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Qtr3- The Nuggets have been tremendous in third periods this season and I fully expect that to be the case tonight. I'm wondering if Gary may be dealing with some sort of injury at this point. Thus-far, at 9:00, I'm incorrect, as Denver still appears listless and purposeless, trailing by 11. Beasley is inserted for Craig at 8:15 and the fluidity discrepancy on both ends is pseudo-tangible. Denver pulls to within five at 7:33 as a result. Come on Malone, this isn't as hard as you are making it. The Nets are becoming frustrated and have earned two T's in the last two minutes of court time. The lead is down to two on a give & go from Joker to Murray at 7:00. BK is FINALLY going cold from the arc. The Nuggets are currently on an 8-0 run. Denver has impossibly attempted only six free throws tonight vs the Nets 18! Gary finally scores, cutting it to one with 6:20 to play. Brooklyn is in the bonus with 5:53 remaining. Gary earns his fourth foul and must check out (but doesn't) with 5:27 to play. Murray has the bejesus beaten out of him on a drive FORCING the officials to reluctantly call one. Speaking of fouls, in comes Retread Ed Davis.

Murray ties it at the line at 5:15. Marlowe finally works in a line about his new dog "Indy" with reference to "since Hector was a pup." Morris finally replaced Harris at 4:10. To my eye, the half time adjustment for the Nuggets has been de-emphasizing closing out on non-threats and vice-versa. Nikola gives Denver the lead at 3:24. Murray is FINALLY just the second Nugget to reach double digits in scoring. Big Honey may be hunting a career high once again vs BK, as he dunks one home, resulting in a line of 34-18-2 on 14-19 shooting, surpassing his attempt total of the five previous outings combined! He then takes a silly foul and proudly draws attention to it with his hand waving in the air and only 1:38 remaining in the third and a two point lead. Complicating matters is the fact that Plumlee replaces him and immediately gets HIS fourth foul and the Nets now have a three point lead on the strength of a 7-0 run. Why not? Dinwiddie launches a half court shot that tickles the twine and the 3rd period comes to a confounding conclusion. Denver is paced in TPM by Morris +10 & Jokic +25 as they trail 82-76 after three.

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Qtr4- The aforementioned Retread Ed has ALREADY fouled out. When I originally mentioned him in conjunction with fouls I had no idea he'd even committed any. I feel smart. Morris makes three Nuggets to reach double digits in scoring and The Nuggets trail by three at 9:37. Professional free-thrower Mason Plumlee ties it up at the line with 8:51 remaining. Denver already has four team fouls at this time as the Nets retake the lead from the charity stripe. Gary has his fifth foul and in doing so, sends Brooklyn into the bonus with a full 8:01 to play! The Nets lead by two after going 1-2 from the line. Jokic finally re-enters. Somewhere along the line a personal foul was redistributed away from Gary, which is good news for the good guys. Lyles makes four Nuggets with double digits in scoring. The game is tied on a Plumlee dunk at 7:48. Rocky does his part in drilling the reverse, two-handed half court heave. The Nuggets lead by three after Beasley hits it from distance. Denver is now ALSO in the bonus for the duration at 6:41 with a one point lead. Jokic ties his season high with 35 at 6:05. Gary NOW has his fifth foul officially at 5:59. Make no mistake, the Nuggets are committing many lazy fouls but the refs are also making FAR too many anticipation calls on both teams. There have been 61 combined foul shots ! Brooklyn owns a three point lead at 5:35, largely from shooting free throws as of late.

Allen strangles Jokic, sending him to the line (why not?) and there is ZERO flow to the game now. What in the blue fuck! When there is not a team foul there is an offensive foul on every possession! The Nuggets take the one point lead on free throws by Gary. Millsap extends the lead to three, you guessed it, from the free throw line. Jokic earns his fifth foul and those two silly fouls earlier now loom large. Russell ties it up with a three. Allen throats Jokic after two missed free throws and the refs choose THIS moment to swallow their whistle! BK now leads by two with 3:16 to play in this forgettable contest. Murray ties it up at the line at 2:40. Jokic now has 37-21-3. In possibly the sequence of the young season, Joker emphatically stuffs Allen, leads the fast break and tosses a long, no-look pass to Beasley who converts, giving Denver the two point lead and it had nothing at all to do with free throws! A Millsap dunk where he was clearly fouled gives the Nuggets temporary cushion, on the strength of a 6-0 run, before Dinwiddie sinks two from the line and it's back down to a two point lead for the Nuggets. 'Sap is the fifth Nugget to reach double figures. Murray now also has five fouls. Allen ties it on a dunk in which Big Honey had no choice but to concede, given his ridiculous fouls earlier in the contest, with 29 seconds to play. Nikola is called for traveling and BK may get the final shot. LeVert gets by a gambling Gary and he floats one in with .03 to play and it's not looking good for Denver. In yet another God-awful last second play-call, a Beasley three attempt is errant/tardy and Denver loses one shitty game. The Nuggets are paced in TPM by Jokic +26 as they barf one up, losing for the first time at home, 112-110.

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Final Thoughts: Welcome back Big Honey! Why the fuck did Denver lose? Credit where due, Brooklyn wanted this one and they impressed with their aggressiveness and first half shooting. Let's NOT go streaking! 76 combined shots were taken from the free throw line! Millsap achieved the quietest 2d in intergalactic history tonight.

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We Suck Again!

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