Seriously? This guy again?

Also, where's your originality?

The band is FINALLY back together!

Nuggets vs Rockets IV: Denver's era of dominance over the Rockets continues in game two of what will be a many-season spanning winning streak.

When last these two teams squared off in game 51 of this season the Nuggets (lap) enjoyed double figure TPM contributions from 5 players led by Malik Beasley: +40. Only Juancho: -2 was in the red for that match-up as the Nuggets put an end to this Houston silliness once and for all, by a final score of 136-122.

I was banned from FTS for POLITELY posting a link to my piece that night, as I do each and every game, in the home and visiting threads, win lose or draw. Sure, if you read said piece (linked in the previous paragraph) I pulled no punches in my distaste for the way Harden games the system but nothing I stated (it was something along the lines of "Good game... high five" along with my link) at FTS was in violation of their terms of service, so clearly their fan-base is becoming aware of what the rest of the league already knows: Theirs is an ugly brand of basketball, despised by all non-casual NBA fans who don't follow the Rockets and it will be legislated out of existence in one to two season's time, so enjoy your regular season semi-successes of these past two seasons rocket-man. As Koz might say, it's ova!

Furthermore, G da MVP. Scoreboard! Gotta finish better than 4th in your conference and have previously not perennially ran out of gas and choked in the big dance due to regular season award seeking if you want to be the REAL MVP. Sure, Harden may win it but no, he's not deserving. Sure, some of that's on Pringles for insisting on playing his starters until the bitter end in each and every blowout but no, Harden is still not deserving. Now That's some proper sports-hate.

Also, Get well soon Juka! I'm amongst the very few who have rooted for you all along here in Denver and I have no doubt that you'll make a full recovery and expand upon this career season.

Back to the matter at hand, In the previous battle with Houston, Beasley/Craig BOTH had career scoring highs of 35 & 22 respectively, whilst being Efended by Harden.

During the closing moments of the fourth quarter in a blowout, as Harden sought to keep his string of games in which he scored 30 or more in tact, I mentioned:

Harden meanwhile remains in to chase stats. He chucks again predictably, which is blocked by Craig WITHOUT A FUCKING FOUL CALL?!?!?! After 6 straight selfish possessions, you got your 30 James; you must be super proud to still be out there at the end of the fourth period of a blowout. He checks out immediately after in yet another classless/transparent maneuver by Pringles. The deep recycling crew checks in for both teams, proving once again that Pringles is a dick and his apologists are wrong, or these same players might have checked in during any of the blowouts I spoke of.

Harden as usual, played zero defense (unless you count un-penalized reaching.) Also as per normal, he was a highly inefficient 9-21 from the floor, a -24 on the night, with five turnovers and only "earned" nine trips to the line (the only spot on the floor where he actually has elite efficiency) and on that night he made only five attempts, no doubt wracked by the guilt of a career designed around finding and exploiting loopholes.

Jokic meanwhile, who is ACTUALLY fouled incessantly since he operates in the post and emerges from seemingly every game with a new scratch on his face or arms, averages just 4.6 free throws per game, largely because he doesn't go out of his way to draw fouls as MO #1 in his repertoire, preferring a freelance style of savantic distribution and team lifting actions/counter-actions. A BEAUTIFUL brand of basketball compared to nearly everyone in the league but starkly so in comparison to Harden's foul-clownery.

Just to put a finer point on what SHOULD make an MVP (and again, the award should CLEARLY go to Freaky Greeky this year) against the Rockets in the same game where Harden supplied the above, Jokic went 12-15 from the floor, 6-6 from the line, with 31-13-9 and only two turnovers despite having the offense run through him nearly every time down, just as it is (and ends) with Harden.

As for this game, let Harden have his. He's not efficient. Concentrate on Capella, stay at home on the perimeter and keep your hands in, hope one of Harden's refs isn't on the take and Denver, the vastly superior talent will win. Seriously I can't wait. Enough said!

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Here are some numbers you can use:

Houston gives up 109.7 PPG by their opponents on average, to Denver's 106.8

Houston averages 112.9 PPG offensively to Denver's 111.5

This results in a net rating for Houston of +3.2 and +4.6 for Denver

Houston is 27-10 at home while Denver is 19-17 away from the friendly confines of The Pepsi Can.

In terms of conference record, Houston is 27-19 to Denver's 30-14 mark which is important only in as much as understanding the strength of schedule involved, as the Western Conference has been as much as ever, the stiffer competition

Denver of course is 2nd in the Western Conference standings, .5 games behind the Warriors while Houston currently resides in 4th place in the Western Conference, 4.5 games out.

When it comes to the other meaningful statistical box-score production the comparison is as follows:

(team with advantage in bold)
HOU: RPG 41.8 APG 20.9 SPG 8.6 BPG 5.0 FG% 44.6 FT% 79.0 3% 35.1

DEN: RPG 46.8 APG 27.6 SPG 7.6 BPG 4.5 FG% 46.7 FT% 75.7 3% 35.6

The numbers on whole favor Denver but as anyone who reads my piece knows, I don't believe any statistic or even a complex, predictive conglomeration of statistics are nearly as accurate in indicating actual results as are the unquantifiable variables of "Mo & flow™" momentum and the ability to find the zone.

To that end, Denver has won 13 of their last 20 & 8 of their last 10 games, while Houston has been victorious in 15 of their last 20 & 7 of their last 10.

There are of course many other variables at play including match-ups; styles make fights. For example, fuck James Harden, fuck the Houston Rockets, fuck Pringles, fuck Morey-ball and especially, fuck all the Harden apologists who make excuses to justify their enjoyment of ugly, stop & go gaming of the system. You can easily spot them by their red "Gather Step" t shirts.

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For this young Nuggets group, (fourth youngest in the NBA; they were the youngest at the start of the season but tank-moves made by CHI/NY/PHO have rendered them younger, since) individual consistency is simply not a thing so it's more difficult to predict how a player will contribute based upon trends; particularly so as the starters begin filtering back from injury and roles are altered/redefined in the coming games. Jokic has been consistently good but in different ways seemingly every night. The Nuggets have missed more man-games to injury by a wide margin, than any team in the league. This includes three starters having played fewer games than they have missed. As they are worked back into the rotation, neither can team consistency be expected.

Having said that, Big Honey is a legit MVP candidate and an emerging superstar, while Murray is coming into his own as Robin to The Joker's Batman (I'm not certain how that works either) while Millsap/Harris provide secondary options when things get problematic on offense; simultaneously carrying the bulk of the defensive burden and Barton is the much needed secondary ball handler/play-maker for when things go awry; a natural scorer/creator and the Nuggets boast one of the deepest benches in the league, even without Lyles and MPJ.

When Jokic gets a 3D at home, over the course of his career, the Nuggets are undefeated and only once in his 28 career 3D's have the Nuggets lost. In short, these are not hollow, stat seeking ventures but Jokic playing within the offense. He's come up short of a 3D no less than a dozen times this season alone, by one or two P/R/A due to the Nuggets leading big and his sitting out fourth quarters. In such occasions he can be found laughing and cheering his teammates on from the pine.

The man cares about one thing only and that is winning. Ok two things... deriding officials being the other. Let's make that four actually. Dancing (poorly/datedly) and hurling children into the sky. I guess he also likes horses and fish stew. He cares a lot come to think of it, just not about 3D's or indeed any statistic other than W's.

It can not be overstated what an advantage it is to have two creators in P&R sets in Jokic/Murray, a seven footer who played PG as a youth and a 6'4 PG who played C as a youth, who are able to swap roles seamlessly. Murray is widely regarded as the best screen-setter on the team while it's well documented what a virtuoso Big Honey is in terms of distribution.

The Nuggets' rotation has tightened up a bit as the playoffs approach, so it will likely be a nine man unit, which leaves Lyles/Juancho/IT out, situational needs, foul trouble and recycling time excepted.

Food for thought: With Harris/Barton/Millsap returning from injury and again starting, this is what Denver's rotation consists of:

PG Murray/Morris

SG Harris/Beasley/Barton

SF Barton/Harris/Beasley/Craig

PF Millsap/Plumlee/Craig

C Jokic/Plumlee/Millsap

For this to work Plumlee has got to curtail his fouling, Jokic has GOT to stop taking "Jokic only" fouls to prove a point to officials and defensive communication has got to be at a premium. Got it? Or as the immortal Syd Barrett might say, "Have you got it yet?" Do yourself a favor and click that link which illustrates his tragic brilliance as succinctly as can be displayed without listening to his innovative music. It goes without saying, you should of course explore that too, particularly Pink Floyd's '67 Debut album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" and his final solo album from '70, "Barrett."
I've also recently made a compilation of all of Pink Floyd's essential studio works, including solo projects of all five members, all in chronological order from '65-2017 which you can check out here.

Prediction: Denver 111 (lap ) - Houston 107. Denver takes that W on the way out.

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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 as 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

Also, my DIY music production and videos can be heard/seen here if you don't value your ear-balls & eye-drums.

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

(After these messages... Er Nicknames)

Houston Rockets Roster

NO	Name	POS	Age	HT	WT	College	Salary
7	Carmelo "Nothing Mellow About This Collapse" Anthony	PF	34	6' 8"	240 lbs	Syracuse	$1,512,601
15	Clint "Ah" Capela	C	24	6' 10"	240 lbs	Switzerlandia	$15,293,104
1	Michael "Roy" Carter-Williams	PG	27	6' 6"	190 lbs	Syracuse	$1,512,601
0	Marquese Chriss "Olm"	PF	21	6' 10"	240 lbs	Washington	$3,206,160
6	"Guitarrin" Gary Clark	PF	23	6' 8"	225 lbs	Cincinnati	G-Money
12	Vincent "Who?" Edwards	SF	22	6' 8"	225 lbs	Purdue	G-Money
8	James "Subway To Venus" Ennis III	SF	28	6' 7"	210 lbs	Long Beach State	$1,621,415
10	Eric "Splash" Gordon	SG	29	6' 4"	215 lbs	Indiana	$13,500,375
14	Gerald "Make A Wish" Green	SG	32	6' 7"	205 lbs	Parts Unknown	$1,512,601
13	James "Professional Free-Thrower" Harden	PG	29	6' 5"	220 lbs	Arizona State	$35,650,150
55	Isaiah "Hell If I Know" Hartenstein	PF	20	7' 0"	249 lbs	Germany...probably	$838,464
42	Nene	C	36	6' 11"	250 lbs	Brasilia	$3,651,480
2	Brandon "Jordan" Knight	PG	26	6' 3"	195 lbs	Kentucky	$14,631,250
3	Chris "I Wish He Wore #30 'Cause I'm A Dyslexic Star Wars Fan" Paul	PG	33	6' 0"	175 lbs	Wake Forest	$35,654,150
9	Zhou "Joe" Qi	PF	22	7' 1"	210 lbs	Chinia	$1,378,242
17	PJ "Bad Mother" Tucker	SF	33	6' 6"	245 lbs	Texas	$7,969,537

Denver Nuggets Roster

NO	Name	POS	Age	HT	WT	College	Salary
5	Will "The People's Champion" Barton	SG	27	6' 6"	190 lbs	Memphis	$11,830,358
25	"Mutant" Malik Beasley	SG	22	6' 5"	195 lbs	Florida State	$1,773,840
3	Torrey "FUCKING" Craig	SF	27	6' 7"	215 lbs	USC Upstate	$2,000,000
2	Brandon "Hopefully Contributes To Many The" Goodwin	PG	23	6' 2"	180 lbs	Florida Gulf Coast	$630,032
14	"Just" Gary Harris	SG	24	6' 4"	210 lbs	Michigan State	$16,517,857
41	Juancho "The Mouthful" Hernangomez	PF	23	6' 9"	230 lbs	Espana	$2,166,360
15	Nikola "Big Honey" Jokic (AKA The Joker)	C	23	7' 0"	250 lbs	Gotham	$24,605,181
20	Tyler "Not just Anunobody" Lydon	PF	22	6' 10"	225 lbs	Syracuse	$1,874,640
7	Trey "The Swiss Army Spork" Lyles	PF	23	6' 10"	234 lbs	Kentucky	$3,364,249
4	Paul "The Anchorman" Millsap	PF	33	6' 8"	246 lbs	Louisiana Tech	$29,230,769
11	Monte "Ratio" Morris	PG	23	6' 3"	175 lbs	Iowa State	$1,349,383
27	Jamal "The Blue Arrow" Murray	PG	21	6' 4"	207 lbs	Kentucky	$3,499,800
24	Mason "Plumdog Millionaire" Plumlee	PF	28	6' 11"	235 lbs	Duke	$12,917,808
1	Michael "The Sleeper Cell" Porter Jr.	PF	20	6' 10"	210 lbs	Missouri	$2,894,160
0	Isaiah "Ice" Thomas	PG	29	5' 9"	185 lbs	Washington	$1,512,601
8	Jarred "The Amalgamated Version Of A Dude I Once Bought Weed From On Haight Ashbury" Vanderbilt	PF	19	6' 9"	214 lbs	Kentucky	$838,464
45	Thomas "Irvine" Welsh	C	22	7' 0"	255 lbs	UCLA	G-Money

Update: MPJ is still waiting to make his Denver Nuggets/pro debut as he rehabs from multiple back surgeries. Wow! That was short! As for the Rockets, Green and Faried are out with knee and shoulder problems respectively.

Re-up: Yes I'm aware that trades/acquisitions have been made and the above roster and or coach for the opposing team may be inaccurate. Hopefully you are aware that the fan-post format isn't equipped to make adjustments to the above template so it often results in entire pieces being destroyed and or hours of work being lost. Simply put, it's not worth the additional effort/risk to change once the Nuggets have faced an opponent once. No disrespect intended. Tune in next season and I assure you the first time Denver plays your team, the roster will be up to date :)

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Data:

TPM™ Game 74 HOU (Starters in bold)

Nikola Jokic: +19

Jamal Murray: +7

Gary Harris: +4

Paul Millsap: +6

Will Barton: -4

Monte Morris: +8

Mason Plumlee: +3

Malik Beasley: -4

Torrey Craig: -1

Juancho: -2

Trey Lyles: +2

Jared Vanderbilt: -3

Thomas Welsh: N/A

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Tyler Lydon: N/A

Brandon Goodwin: N/A

Michael Porter Jr.: Injured

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Total TPM™

Nikola Jokic: 73 games +1655

Jamal Murray: 68 games +1138

Gary Harris: 49 games +573

Paul Millsap: 63 games +609

Will Barton: 36 games +266

Monte Morris: 74 games +852

Mason Plumlee: 74 games +595

Malik Beasley: 73 games +559

Torrey Craig: 68 games +38

Juancho: 66 games -16

Trey Lyles: 59 games +303

Jared Vanderbilt: 13 games +9

Thomas Welsh: 11 games +22

Isaiah Thomas: 10 games 73

Tyler Lydon: 24 games -2

Brandon Goodwin: 16 games +28

Michael Porter Jr.: 0 games +0

Nick Young: 3 games -2

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: 6 games +5

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Avg. TPM™ Per Game

Nikola Jokic: +22.67

Jamal Murray: +16.74

Gary Harris: +11.69

Paul Millsap: +9.67

Will Barton: +7.39

Monte Morris: +11.51

Mason Plumlee: +8.04

Malik Beasley: +7.66

Torrey Craig: +0.56

Juancho: -0.24

Trey Lyles: +5.16

Jared Vanderbilt: +0.69

Thomas Welsh: +2.00

Isaiah Thomas: +7.30

Tyler Lydon: -0.08

Brandon Goodwin: +1.75

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Nick Young: -0.67

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: +0.83

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TPM™ Per-Minute Splits Through Game 66:

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

Qtr1- For only the 15th time this season, the Nuggets go with their opening night starting five, consisting of Murray, Harris, Barton, Millsap & Jokic. The Rockets counter with CP3, Gordon, Harden, Tucker & Capella. We can all count our blessings that tonight's broadcast isn't players only; the NBA telecast equivalent of a pickup game featuring Brent Musberger and Marv Albert (but with twice the sodomy.) Harris gets the scoring underway on a three from Jokic. Big Honey has assisted on all three buckets for the Nuggets who lead 8-4 at 9:22. Denver is taking some questionable shots considering that they can get a Jokic-post-mismatch every time down but still lead by two at 8:14. Millsap is playing prototype D on Harden and I'd love to see him match up on him in disguise, at the point of attack, as the man switched onto in the P&R.

Perhaps guarding Harden with Murray would force this and then the secondary rotation just has to be sound to get Jamal moved onto a smaller man. Denver leads by four at the time of the first break at 6:45. Two times 'Sap has defended Harden, both occasions he's forced a turnover by simply forcing him to go right. Mason is first off the pine for the good guys at 5:30, up three. Monte is next to join the fray at 4:11, up one. This is the best the Nuggets have looked since Boston which is saying something since they have been 7-1 since that game. They lead by seven with 2:15 remaining. Craig enters along with the proud new papa Malik at this point. Beasley seems understandably jittery early and Houston cuts it to one with moments to play in the first. Denver is paced in TPM by Nikola Jokic: +15 as they lead 25-22 after one.

Nikola Jokic: +15 Jamal Murray: +5 Gary Harris: +6 Paul Millsap: +2 Will Barton: -2 Monte Morris: -1 Mason Plumlee:+0 Malik Beasley: +0 Torrey Craig: -1 Juancho: N/A Trey Lyles: N/A Jared Vanderbilt: N/A Thomas Welsh: N/A Isaiah Thomas: N/A Tyler Lydon: N/A Brandon Goodwin: N/A

Qtr2- The second period opens with Harden on the bench along with all of Denver's starters but Jamal. CP3 remains in for Houston. Rivers drills B2B threes and Houston takes a three point lead at 10:26. The bench squad for Denver has to gear up if they wish to remain out there much longer. With Harden on the bench, the Rockets play excellent defense actually. Houston leads on the strength of a 16-4 run at 9:06. Harris comes in at this time, trailing by seven. Perhaps the most surprising element to this one so far is the lack of foul calls. Malik wisely takes it to the rack for two and hopefully that rights his personal ship. My takeaway thus-far: Austin Rivers >>> Harden, who re-enters at 6:58, up by eight. Big Honey also enters at this time along with Barton. Jokic is getting the shit kicked out of him down low but not getting the whistle. Houston now leads by 13 and has all the momentum as 'Sap finally checks back in at 5:45.

Houston is 7-12 from beyond the arc, nearly all of which have been uncontested. The bench for Houston earned the momentum and since then there has been too much focus on Harden by players who aren't defending him, resulting in losing their man for open looks. Nikola finally earns a call and cuts it to 10 from the line. Barton has yet to contribute.... full stop. Murray is first to reach double digits for Denver followed in short order by Jokic who is on 3D pace with 12-5-6 and 2:32 remaining. First BS foul awarded to Harden who pulls 'Sap's hand into contact on a shot and is rewarded with free throws for his sin. Denver has GOT to stop ball watching on Harden! Guard your own man and use peripheral vision to locate the ball and the hoop! The lead is 18 as the result of this nonsense and the foul shots are predictably starting to accumulate as well. CP3 is absolutely MAULING Murray on the perimeter and never getting called for it. Barton has yet to defend... like, at all. A disastrous second period mercifully comes to a close on an errant three by CP3. Denver is paced in TPM by Nikola Jokic: +18 as they trail 44-62 at the half.

Nikola Jokic: +18 Jamal Murray: +3 Gary Harris: +6 Paul Millsap: +0 Will Barton: -9 Monte Morris: -3 Mason Plumlee:+5 Malik Beasley: +2 Torrey Craig: -1 Juancho: N/A Trey Lyles: N/A Jared Vanderbilt: N/A Thomas Welsh: N/A Isaiah Thomas: N/A Tyler Lydon: N/A Brandon Goodwin: N/A

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Qtr3- The formula is simple for beating Houston. The practice of it is hard work. Force Harden right & pay zero attention to him unless you are his defender. Stay on your man, use peripheral vision otherwise to locate the rim and the Ball (which you already know is in his hands!) Defensive head turning and lack of discipline/focus is what's killing the Nuggets tonight. This has the feel, not unlike the recent loss to Indy, of a game in which Jokic could earn a 3D and the Nuggets lose, something which has only occurred once in his 28 career 3D's. 'Sap is tackled by CP3 and he's walking gingerly upon standing up. Barton finally contributes an assist on a G&G to Jokic and the lead is down to 14 at 9:23. BS phantom call #2 "earned" by Harden who draws contact on Harris, who was standing absolutely still with both arms straight up in the air. Barton is leaving the team high & dry as the lead is down to 13 in spite of him. Denver is 2-10 from beyond the arc, both conversions by Gary. Jokic has been in the post on consecutive possessions vs Gordon and the guards have failed to find him. BS Phantom call #3 is "earned" by Harden on what was deemed a reach by Harris but in reality was Harden moving his off arm entirely out of the path of which he was traveling (pun intended.)

Harden is "called" for his very first foul at 4:15, leading by 18. Harris is going to be mighty sore tomorrow; I predict he'll be the first starter to get a night off. BS Phantom call #4 occurs on a "reach" by Morris in which he failed entirely to contact Harden. Clearly, an anticipation whistle at 3:03. Malone needs to take a fucking T to get the officials attention to the non-calls on CP3/Harden, the beatings that Harris/Millsap/Jokic have taken and the ticky-tack whistles that Harden is getting. It's in a word, obvious. The threat of the whistle is already what has teams on their heels vs Houston but when the actual whistle imparts itself, it's clear how favored these guys inexplicably are, by officials. Barton FINALLY scores and the lead is 15 as Juancho checks in at 2:15. BS Phantom call #5 occurs as Harden elbows Beasley in the face in an unnatural shooting action, "earning" three at the highly charitable stripe, increasing the lead to 18. BS phantom call #6 occurs as Harden hooks Juancho to get by and then jumps into the entirely vertical defender. Unbelievable! Harden - 14 free throws, Denver - 11. Harden plays the entire third period. Denver is paced in TPM by Nikola Jokic: +19 as they trail 65-87 after three.

Nikola Jokic: +19 Jamal Murray: +7 Gary Harris: +4 Paul Millsap: +6 Will Barton: -4 Monte Morris: -1 Mason Plumlee:+3 Malik Beasley: -1 Torrey Craig: -1 Juancho: +0 Trey Lyles: N/A Jared Vanderbilt: N/A Thomas Welsh: N/A Isaiah Thomas: N/A Tyler Lydon: N/A Brandon Goodwin: N/A

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Qtr4- The game is over so I'd be very surprised if we see Denver's starters the rest of the way which of course means Houston's will play the whole game. Indeed, Lyles is in to open the Fourth along with the recycling unit for Denver, while CP3 and Gordon remain in for Houston, leading by 20. I also predict many calls to be made against Houston in the period so that the refs can purchase license to continue sucking, as is their wont. Morris becomes just the second player for Denver to hit a three. All of Houston's starters except Harden are out there for the Rockets still, at 6:58; zero of Denver's, who have not played in the fourth period of what is a 20 point game. Fuck this Rockets squad, top to bottom. Harden checks in and launches a three at 5:45. Pringles is the biggest asshole in the NBA.

Only CP3 of Houston's starters is on the bench with under five minutes remaining. Capella hangs on the rim and swings back and forth several times; something only Murray is not allowed to do when Rodney Mott is in the building. The lead is 25, and the lineups have yet to change. Bench players who never play start filtering in for Houston at 4:30 but Harden/Capella remain in and continue stat-seeking. Harden chucks one final three before finally checking out with a 29 point lead at 3:21. Classless organization top to bottom and it WILL come back to haunt them once Hard-on is no more. Players and agents take notice of things like being called "assets." That's enough from me for tonight. Denver is paced in TPM by Nikola Jokic: +19 as they lose big, 85-112

Nikola Jokic: +19 Jamal Murray: +7 Gary Harris: +4 Paul Millsap: +6 Will Barton: -4 Monte Morris: +8 Mason Plumlee:+3 Malik Beasley: -4 Torrey Craig: -1 Juancho: -2 Trey Lyles: +2 Jared Vanderbilt: -3 Thomas Welsh: N/A Isaiah Thomas: N/A Tyler Lydon: N/A Brandon Goodwin: N/A

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We Suck Again!

Final Thoughts: Seriously, fuck James Harden, fuck coach Pringles & fuck Morey-ball. This One's on me Nuggets fans. I'll take that L. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

For context pertaining to the statistical aspects of this piece, please open this link: TPM™

A brief statement with regard to this piece on whole:

As a means to avoid repeating myself I will include this descriptive diatribe in all TPM posts going forward.

Sure I like statistics; ever since I was a child collecting sports cards and later a pre-teen who ran pre-internet fantasy sports leagues on ink/paper/spreadsheet for the four major US pro-leagues, I've been fascinated by box-score stats but I'm by no means an expert.

I created TPM (which has been around longer than RPM incidentally and unlike them, I fully disclose my non-proprietary system and I contextualize the action rather than being a boring, mysterious, predictive metric) because it does add immediate and accessible context to what we see and what the numbers indicate, which I like.

While the data is meticulously tracked and demonstrably sound, I'm a creative type, not an engineer. Algorithm is the bane of my existence in fact. I'd far rather approach life with the intrigue of expected surprise than attempt to get to the bottom of why things are the way they are. There are many engineers in my family so I totally understand that joy can be derived from finding solutions to problems, I just can't relate. It's not fun for me. THIS is for the most part, not fun for me.

Now I'm a 42 year old man who was born the year after the team I love joined the NBA. I happen to have a lifetime of experience with this sport in several different capacities, including playing (highly underrated within the writing community) so I understand basketball theory in a way most (by no means all) pundits do not.

I was in this case interested in a data-driven approach, which if I'm honest has sapped nearly all fun out of taking in games for me. I get very few days/nights off during the season. One piece requires several hours of research and data entry and all tracking/analysis is done in real time and published mere moments after each game's completion, 82 times (more this season) per year.

As such, the analysis portion is about 90% (I've run the numbers) creative writing with sarcasm generally indicated through italics, non-sequitur humor and hyperbole, in an attempt to steal back some of the joy this endeavor has snatched away.

Hopefully there is a little something here for everyone but if you came just for data or are averse to colorful language, this is not the place for you. I have no way of knowing how many people even read this so I'll not be affected even remotely if you choose not to indulge. For those of you who do, I greatly thank you for the support.

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