This lineup is far scarier on paper (& in Photo) currently than they are in reality but they're undoubtedly a team which no opponent cares to to face in the playoffs, once they've had time to iron out the kinks.

Still dangerous but for whom? I made these out of a poster I had, the day he was traded to NY.

Still keepin' the seat warm for The Anchorman.

Denver vs OKC on the heals of likely the Nuggets "best loss" this year.

Pre-Game Thoughts: The last time these two teams met, Denver received double digit TPM scores from only three players, lead by Harris' +22 in a heartbreaking 95-94 loss in Oklahoma City. Murray struggled mightily on that evening in terms of defensive head turning against perhaps the NBA's best player (Roberson) at noticing this action and reappearing in a completely different area of the half-court or in transition.

This, like the counter move (peripheral, ball-man defense) are so exceedingly simple, yet so many NBA players never seem to have been taught these fundamentals which are vastly underrated. Tad Boyle must be doin' something right up in Boulder.

At least on this night, Murray will not be forced to contend with Andre. Late game ineptitude was once again the Nuggets undoing in the previous Thunder game (Open link for game 30 vs OKC in a new tab for the TRUTH as I see it about Mudiay, as he relates to advanced metrics, illustrated in the pre-game thoughts).

As I noted in the fourth quarter:

It's a one point game with 1.7 to go. Denver calls a timeout to advance the ball to half court. Jokic is back in for Plumlee. A HORRIBLE inbound play leads to a HORRIBLE Harris "shot"

Yes smart-asses, I unapologetically just quoted myself as it bears repeating given Denver's season-long struggles with end of game and or out-of-timeout situations.

This game is in Denver so we can expect Rocky's shenanigans but beyond that I've learned not to expect anything, good, bad or indifferent from this Nuggets squad except that no matter the outcome, it's fan base will call for Malone's head, wonder why Barton is playing too many minutes and at the wrong position and that if Mudiay plays well it will be completely ignored, while if lineups under-perform while he is on the court, he'll be skewered with a hot, rusty spoon as a means to make sense of the math.

Go Nuggets!

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

(After these messages... Er Nicknames)

Oklahoma City Thunder Roster

Coach: "Silly" Billy Donovan

Denver Nuggets Roster

Coach: Michael "Mr Imagination" Malone

Update: Millsap had successful left wrist surgery and is expected back some time around the all star break, Lydon is out for the year after tearing up his knee in the G-League, Plumlee is out with a calf strain, Chandler is questionable with a migraine and Harris is likely with soreness of the left ankle for Denver. As for OKC, Only Roberson is listed as out with a patellar tendon injury.

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

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TPM™ Game 52 OKC

Jamal Murray: +29

Emmanuel Mudiay: +14

Monte Morris: N/A

Gary Harris: +13

Will Barton: +1

Malik Beasley: N/A

Torrey Craig: -5

Wilson Chandler: -5

Juancho Hernangomez: N/A

Richard Jefferson: N/A

Paul Millsap: N/A

Kenneth Faried: -4

Trey Lyles: -7

Darrell Arthur: +2

Tyler Lydon: N/A

Nikola Jokic: +34

Mason Plumlee: +N/A

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Total TPM™ starting Game 1 vs. Uta

Jamal Murray: 51 Games +525

Emmanuel Mudiay: 40 Games +371

Monte Morris: 1 Game +1

Gary Harris: 48 Games +730

Will Barton: 51 Games +533

Malik Beasley: 43 Games +61

Torrey Craig: 22 Games -16

Wilson Chandler: 46 Games +273

Juancho Hernangomez: 17 Games -17

Richard Jefferson: 15 Games -5

Paul Millsap: 16 Games +173

Kenneth Faried: 32 Games +25

Trey Lyles: 46 Games +362

Darrell Arthur: 9 Games -9

Tyler Lydon: 1 Games -3

Nikola Jokic: 45 Games +668

Mason Plumlee: 50 Games +187

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Avg. TPM™ Per Game

Jamal Murray: +10.29

Emmanuel Mudiay: +9.28

Monte Morris: +1.00

Gary Harris: +15.21

Will Barton: +10.45

Malik Beasley: +1.42

Torrey Craig: -0.73

Wilson Chandler: +5.93

Juancho Hernangomez: -1.00

Richard Jefferson: -0.33

Paul Millsap: +10.81

Kenneth Faried: +0.78

Trey Lyles: +7.87

Darrell Arthur: -1.00

Tyler Lydon: -3.00

Nikola Jokic: +14.84

Mason Plumlee: +3.74

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TPM™ Per-Minute Splits Through Game 51:

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

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Analysis:

Qtr2- The 3D watch is officially underway in earnest for Big Honey. Could we be treated by one (Westbrook) for each squad today? Faried is in to start the 2nd in a Barton + bench unit. Ferguson is apparently out with the creeping crud. Beautiful slow-euro drive by Mudiay who IS ADDING to his repertoire in an attempt to increase his finishing ability, as inexperienced players sometimes do. The lead is down to 5 at 8:37 and it's clear that this unit lacks outside shooting and team-defensive concept-recognition. Slick alley-oop from Mudiay to Manimal. Faried is starting to create OKC fouls with his hustle. This bench unit is making up for acumen with athleticism and heart (not quantifiable). The lead is 13 at 6:01 as the starters return. Barton and quickly Murray are the 3rd and fourth Nuggets in double figures after consecutive threes extend the lead to 17 at 5:11. Murray just made Sportcenter by breaking Adams' ankles on a step-back three. Barton is clearly the weak link defensively for Denver's starters and OKC cuts it to 13 at 2:31 on some Melo-bully-ball. Jokic is 4 boards and 2 assists shy of a 3D already! Darth makes an appearance with just under a minute to go. I could be wrong but IIRC the only shots a non-assertive Lyles seems to have taken have been two half court heaves to end each quarter so far. No players for either squad are yet in foul trouble. Denver is paced in TPM by Harris +10, Mudiay +12 Murray +15 & Jokic +19, as they lead 72-57 at the half.

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Halftime: Smoke break? Stupid question, stupid section.

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Qtr3- Will there EVER be a TNT broadcast in which they don't showcase the "fight" between Barkely and Shaq during their playing days? The "obvious" money is on no. Will there EVER be a nationally televised Nuggets game in which they showcase even a tiny portion of the game at hand? Again, don't bet on it. Now is the point in the game in which we can expect Russ to look to get his. Let's try to make this as difficult as possible, ok guys? PG13 is comin' in hot to start the 3rd and the lead is 12 at 9:01. Big Honey ain't havin' it though as he contributes to 5 straight and is now 2 boards and one assist shy of a 3D. Barton should NOT be guarding PG13. Big Honey now just needs two boards for a 3D; a foregone conclusion. Russ' shot is not falling thank goodness and he seems to be getting frustrated. Jokic needs just one board for his 3D. They keep mentioning in the TNT broadcast that Jokic is nearing his third 3D and making no mention of the fact that they have all come in very recent games. The lead is 17 at 3:25. Mudiay/Lyles check in at 2:39, up 19. This has been Lyles' worst game in quite some time, unfortunately. There is still nobody in foul trouble for either team. Denver is paced in TPM by Harris +12, Mudiay +14, Murray +24 & Jokic +30 and are up big, 104-89 after three.

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Qtr4- Lets hope that OKC chooses to rest the starters, particularly PG13, with a B2B game tomorrow looming. Barton is far and away the leader in standard +- thus far just to illustrate what a flawed stat that is. He is 9 points ahead of everyone. He is +6 in TPM. It'd be a shame if Big Honey doesn't get his 3D if the score remains distant but it is ALWAYS the correct call to play with sportsmanship rather than chasing personal milestones; I'm looking at you Ricky Davis. Mudiay is ice cold from distance tonight. Lyles has absolutely KILLED the 2nd unit for Denver in this one with his lack of focus. Jokic & Harris are set to check in with the lead down to ten at 8:42. Big Honey has his 3D at 7:29 as the rest of the starters check in with Denver leading by 10. OKC has left PG13 on the bench FAR too long in the 4th as he FINALLY checks back in at 6:03, still down by ten. Denver is going cold, PG13 scores 6 straight and the lead is down to 6 at 4:00. Russ is one board shy of a 3D himself with an impressive 20 assists. This is what your star should do when his shot isn't falling but your 2nd best player's is. Denver has three players (Harris, Murray & Jokic) above 20 points in scoring. Russ sticks a three and Murray answers with a two as the Denver lead is 7 at 2:45.

The refs have been duped into charges, back and forth for each team on three consecutive plays. It's Russ vs Murray down the stretch. Denver leads by three at 1:05 of an incredibly entertaining game! Yet ANOTHER offensive foul called, this time on Jokic turning it over and PG13 capitalizes, cutting it to one with :39 to play. Murray's layup is goaltended and the lead is back up to three with :32 to go. A layup by Russ cuts it to one with :29 to play. George leads 6 OKC players in double figures with 40 points. Denver elects to work the clock and OKC abides. Murray misses a Jumper that Jokic rebounds. He's hacked but Jokic is going ballistic and being held back. Denver must inbound with :07 to play. They ACTUALLY GET IT IN to Big Honey who sinks two with :056 to go. OKC utilizes their timeout to advance the ball, in need of a three. Denver has a foul to give but I hate utilizing it. Too dangerous. PG13 of course drills a three and it's knotted up for the first time this evening at 124 with :014 to go, as Denver utilizes their last timeout to advance the ball. This ball HAS to get in to Murray or Jokic's hands! Not Barton! HARRIS DRILLS AN OFF BALANCE THREE AND THE GOOD GUYS WIN! HALLELUJAH! Denver is paced in TPM by Harris +13, Mudiay +14, Murray + 29 and Jokic +34 as they FINALLY come out on top of a close one, 127-124!

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Final Thoughts: The Nuggets appear to be gelling and I like it! Such a joy to witness this one!

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The Nuggets Win!

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