Nuggets vs Kings:

When last these two teams faced off, the Nuggets enjoyed double digit TPM performances from only three players, lead by Barton's +20 en route to an uninspiring 98-106 defeat. Fortunately for Denver this go-'round, three players who were instrumental in that outcome, Fox, WCS and Skal are at minimum dinged up but are likely not to play at all, while Denver is FINALLY at full strength with the exceptions being Millsap's regaining range of motion in his left wrist (something that most likely won't occur until next season) and Chandler's seemingly permanent hip issues (something that is, well, permanent) but both are expected to play big minutes this afternoon.

The Nuggets are caught in the middle of a tug-of-war of sorts, in terms of preparing for the playoffs and actually SECURING a playoff spot. I understand Malone's placing urgency on getting set plays down as well as defensive rotations, as both invariably (traditionally at least) become more substantial portions of playoff ball but unfortunately, I don't believe that simply reintegrating 'Sap into the lineup is going to do anything to teach basic, rotational, defensive fundamentals to players like Murray, Jokic, Barton, Lyles etc who simply lack an instinctual understanding of them.

Moreover, when the Nuggets run set plays they are unequivocally less effective and sedentary, so I question if that half of the equation isn't simply a matter of Malone stubbornly getting in his own way. Yes, defensive intensity will increase in the playoffs but that doesn't necessarily mean that going away from what you do best (putting the ball in the hands of your gifted big man on the low block where he is a triple threat and allowing him to create, while his teammates move without the ball) is the answer.

Just because there is a history of something being the case (following advanced metrics as gospel comes to mind) does not mean that this is the necessary course of action to repeat; in fact, the only thing guaranteed to remain the same is change. If this were not the case then Golden State's current style of play and small-ball would not have ever come to pass. Both seem to be working for the time being. This too shall pass.

Yes, the Nuggets need to be concentrating on the defensive end but I don't see that becoming an effectual reality until at minimum the off season, which even then it will require a previously unseen, concerted effort by the aforementioned players, in order to come to fruition.

At this point it seems, the best chance to both make the playoffs and indeed be a factor once there, would be to scrap the play-calling except for out of timeout/late game/short-clock scenarios and try their best to outscore the oponant and the sooner that Malone realizes this, the better; a sea change that may just coincide with a realization that he may be coaching for his job, if the team is to miss out on the post-season all together.

Footnote: Not that the game means anything whatsoever but The Blue Arrow was absolutely robbed of being the first player to repeat as MVP of the rookie/sophomore game. Buddy Hield won by virtue of inefficient chuckery and in this case the numbers don't lie. If anything, Hield's teammate Bogdanovic had a better case.

Hield:

Minutes=25:45,

P=29,

FG%=.545(12-22),

3%=.357(5-14),

FT%= N/A,

R=3(0-O,3-D),

A=3,

B=N/A,

S=2,

TO=2

Murray:

Minutes=24:26,

P=21,

FG%=.571(8-14),

3%=.500(3-6),

FT%=100%(2-2),

R=6(3-O,3-D),

A=7,

B=N/A,

S=1,

TO=2

Update: I switched off my tele in disgust when they handed the trophy to Hield during the broadcast and apparently it WAS Bogdanovic who won MVP. FAR more palatable in my eyes. Christ almighty groaned this devout agnostic as he tugged at his imaginary, turtleneck collar and winced like a Simpsons character. Credit Kings fan catterj for the correction.

I would be sorely remiss if I didn't include this little gem from Sactown Royalty's writer, W. Griffith re: Big Honey:

led by Nikola Jokic, a young Serbian horse racer who decided to use his powers for good after being bitten by a radioactive Vlade Divac

Prediction: Denver 134 - Sacramento 115.

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)

Sacramento Kings Roster

NO.	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	COLLEGE	2017-2018 SALARY
8	Bogdan "No Longer The Other" Bogdanovic	SG	25	6-6	205	Serbia	$9,412,280
15	Vince "I Have Almost As Many Bad Nicknames As Shaq" Carter	SG	40	6-6	220	North Carolina	$8,000,000
00	Willie "Or Wont He" Cauley-Stein	C	24	7-0	240	Kentucky	$3,704,160
45	Jack "Fooley" Cooley	PF	26	6-10	274	Notre Dame	Anime
5	De'Aaron "Fantastic Mr." Fox	PG	20	6-3	175	Kentucky	$4,609,200
20	Harry "This Year's Skal?" Giles	PF	19	6-10	240	Duke	$1,859,400
24	"He Got A Boo-Boo" Buddy Hield	SG	24	6-4	214	Oklahoma	$3,675,480
22	Bruno "24K Magic" Caboclo	SF	22	6-9	205	Parts Unknown	$2,451,225
25	Justin "Case" Jackson	SF	22	6-8	210	North Carolina	$2,365,560
41	Kosta "K2" Koufos	C	28	7-0	265	Ohio State	$8,393,000
7	"Last Year's" Skal Labissiere	PF	21	6-11	225	Kentucky	$1,312,611
10	Frank "Free" Mason III	PG	23	5-11	190	Kansas	$1,184,385
50	Zach "Z-Bo" Randolph	PF	36	6-9	250	Michigan State	$12,307,692
4	Iman "The Supermodel" Shumpert	SG	27	6-5	220	Georgia Tech	$10,337,079
29	JaKarr "The Wing" Sampson	SF	24	6-9	207	St. John's	Hot Wings
17	Garrett "King Creole" Temple	SG	31	6-6	195	LSU	$8,000,000

Coach: David "Red Bull" Joerger

Denver Nuggets Roster

NO.	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	Wt	COLLEGE	2017-2018 SALARY
00	Darrell "Darth" Arthur	PF	29	6-9	235	Kansas	$7,464,912
5	Will "The People's Champion" Barton	SG	26	6-6	190	Memphis	$3,533,333
25	Malik "The Beas Knees" Beasley	SG	21	6-5	196	Florida State	$1,700,640
21	Wilson "Ill-Wil" Chandler	SF	30	6-9	225	DePaul	$12,016,854
3	Torrey "FUCKING" Craig	SG	27	6-6	215	USC Upstate	Good question
35	Kenneth "Half Manimal Half Pedestrian" Faried	PF	28	6-8	228	Morehead State	$12,921,348
14	Gary "New-Money" Harris	SG	23	6-4	210	Michigan State	$2,550,055
41	Juancho "Ironically, No Room For A Nickname" Hernangomez	PF	22	6-9	230	Espana	$2,076,840
22	Richard "The Dragon Slayer" Jefferson	SF	37	6-7	233	Arizona	$1,454,756
15	Nikola "Big Honey" Jokic	C	22	6-10	250	Serbia	$1,471,382
20	Tyler "Not just Anunobody" Lydon	PF	21	6-9	220	Syracuse	$1,579,440
7	Trey "Apparently He's K.D. Now" Lyles	PF	22	6-10	234	Kentucky	$2,441,400
4	Paul "The Anchorman" Millsap	PF	32	6-8	246	Louisiana Tech	$31,269,231
11	Monte "G-League Money" Morris	PG	22	6-3	175	Iowa State	Good question
0	Devin "Old Milwaukee" Harris	PG	34	6-3	185	Wisconsin	$4,402,546
27	Jamal "The Blue Arrow" Murray	PG	20	6-4	207	Kentucky	$3,355,320
24	Mason "Plumdog Millionaire" Plumlee	C	27	6-11	255	Duke	$14,041,096

Coach: Michael "Mr Imagination" Malone

Update: Lydon is out for the year after tearing up his knee in the G-League, Chandler is probable with the ever-present hip issues and Craig is out with a G-League loop-hole related injury for Denver. As for the Kings, Skal is questionable with a hip injury, Fox is questionable with a back injury, as is WCS, while Shumpert is out indefinitely with a foot injury and Giles is out for the year with a knee injury.

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

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TPM™ Game 67 SAC

Jamal Murray: +23

Devin Harris: -2

Monte Morris: N/A

Gary Harris: +22

Will Barton: +4

Malik Beasley: +6

Torrey Craig: N/A

Wilson Chandler: +15

Juancho Hernangomez: N/A

Richard Jefferson: +2

Paul Millsap: +2

Kenneth Faried: N/A

Trey Lyles: +8

Darrell Arthur: -1

Tyler Lydon: N/A

Nikola Jokic: +41

Mason Plumlee: -2

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Total TPM™ starting Game 1 vs. Uta

Jamal Murray: 66 Games +734

(RIP) Emmanuel Mudiay: 42 Games +396

Devin Harris: 11 Games +30

Monte Morris: 3 Game +20

Gary Harris: 63 Games +937

Will Barton: 66 Games +770

Malik Beasley: 55 Games +88

Torrey Craig: 26 Games -31

Wilson Chandler: 60 Games +419

Juancho Hernangomez: 22 Games -20

Richard Jefferson: 18 Games -3

Paul Millsap: 23 Games +210

Kenneth Faried: 32 Games +25

Trey Lyles: 60 Games +426

Darrell Arthur: 17 Games +3

Tyler Lydon: 1 Games -3

Nikola Jokic: 60 Games +962

Mason Plumlee: 59 Games +225

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Avg. TPM™ Per Game

Jamal Murray: +11.12

(RIP) Emmanuel Mudiay: +9.43

Devin Harris: +2.73

Monte Morris: +6.67

Gary Harris: +14.87

Will Barton: +11.67

Malik Beasley: +1.60

Torrey Craig: -1.19

Wilson Chandler: +6.98

Juancho Hernangomez: -0.91

Richard Jefferson: -0.17

Paul Millsap: +9.13

Kenneth Faried: +0.78

Trey Lyles: +7.10

Darrell Arthur: +0.18

Tyler Lydon: -3.00

Nikola Jokic: +16.03

Mason Plumlee: +3.81

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TPM™ Per-Minute Splits Through Game 63:

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

Analysis:

Qtr2- Chandler is the focal point of the offense, rightly so, in amongst the usual-suspects bench-squad of Old Mud, Barton, Lyles & Plumlee. Old Mud is struggling to hold onto the ball and defensively this afternoon and the Kings cut it to three at 9:38. Love the thrice-dangling earrings Ally. Ill-Wil is absolutely beasting once again. It is for this reason and Denver's lack of D amongst the bench unit, that I've been advocating for him to come off the bench and to start Barton. The slow pace as of current definitely benefits SAC. All nine Nuggets have scored as the starters begin to trickle in for the good guys, up seven at 6:15. The starting unit is in tact and picking up the pace, as they lead by 14 at 3:31.

Gary is the first Nugget to reach double figures, in a well rounded team effort, in terms of scoring. Jokic just played the hedge and cover rotational D vs the P&R for perhaps the first time all season, which results in a steal (the Kings very first turnover of the game!) Big Honey is officially now on 3D watch with a line of 9-5-7. "Welcome to America Gary Harris" triumphantly declares the always zany Marlowe. Murray is the 2nd Nugget to reach double digits. No players for either squad are in any serious, individual foul trouble. Denver is paced in TPM by Gary/Barton +11 & Big Honey +27 as they lead big, 66-49 at the half

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Halftime: Smoke break? Stupid question, stupid section.

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Qtr3- As is usually the case when the Nuggets have a big halftime lead, they have come out sluggish to start the third. Three straight threes by Ill-Wil/Gary/Murray, seem to have rectified the situation and Denver leads by 22 at 9:56. Chandler makes three in double figures for the Nuggets. Another Murray three increases the lead to 27 at 8:17. The only obstacle in the way of another 3D today for Jokic, is the possibility of resting in the 4th in case of a blowout, as he now stands with a line of 9-7-8. He then drills a three and in so doing, becomes the 4th Nugget in double digits. The lead is 30 at 5:35. Z-Bo is doin' work down low, popping both 'Sap & Honey in their respective gourds on one play and earning a bucket for his effort. Almost can't hate it. That's Z-Bow, Z-Bowin'.

Upon further review, I was right not to hate as it was a collision between the two Nuggets bigs that caused the egg scramblery. Jokic has a 2D (points and assists) & is now just one board shy of his 3D. "Malawtchi" says Marlowe, in reference to Malachi Richardson. Denver commits just their third turnover of the game at 2:00, bringing the combined total for both teams to just six. Big Honey has his 3D (seventh of the season) at 1:25, up 32. "A quiet 3D" says Hastings. "Well I heard it" dryly opines Marlowe. We can likely expect to not see any starters in the 4th for Denver. No players for either squad are in any serious, individual foul trouble. Denver is paced in TPM by Chandler +15, Gary +16, Murray +23 & Jokic +41 as they lead 101-68 after three.

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Qtr4- The Nuggets have scored 30+ in every quarter so it seems that Coach Captain Cookoo Bananas is taking my advise. Only Gary amongst starters, remains in as the 4th begins. "Someone touched Rocky's tail; I dunno if that's good or bad" sayeth the clearly-losing-interest Chris Marlowe. Somebody called "Garrett" apparently dubbed Chris the "Godfather of broadcasting" and I can't entirely agree nor disagree. Marlowe also apparently "Does some canoodling... With Lori (sp?)", (whom I assume/hope is his wife.) I'm not entirely certain why Gary and not Malik is in there as of present, up 32 at 7:30. For what it's worth, Old Mud nabs his 5th foul at 6:48. Malone agrees with me and replaces Gary with Beasley at this time. He's the only Nugget of ten to have played, to not have scored thus far. Gary is inexplicably re-inserted for Barton at 5:45. RJ is in for him at 4:48. Cookoo! Cookoo! Darth checks in at 3:57 up 28 and that's all she (perhaps Lori sp?) wrote. Lyles becomes the fifth Nugget to join the double figure club, followed in short order by Old Mud, the sixth. Denver is paced in TPM by Chandler +15, Gary +22, Murray +23 & Jokic +41 as Denver wins going away, 130-104.

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Final Thoughts: That's the feel-good home blowout that Denver needed with the majority of their remaining schedule coming on the road, largely against superior talent to that of the Kings.

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The Nuggets Win!

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