Thoughts on the Jazz Game

March 10, 2009
by Jeremy

By Othe33

A few comments after watching last night’s game:

1. JR really had a coming out party the past two nights. He’s played spectacularly on offense – and still has room to improve a bit in shot selection. When Chauncey went out and he slid over to the point he really facilitated well, making some great passes that lead to easy buckets (or, later in the game, got dropped by the big men). I’ll take a hard-fought loss to the Jazz in Utah if it means such an improvement for JR. If he can continue like that our chances in the playoffs are greatly improved.

2. Balkman, I dub thee Chuckles the Rasta Clown. He was everywhere while he was on the floor, earning garbage points and getting his hands on so many balls. Deflections change the game, and he was getting them in spades. I’d like to see him get back on defense a little quicker after the possession change, but I’ll take that effort out of the 9th roster spot anyday. Let’s hope he gets some burn down the stretch. (I can’t believe that the ESPN talking heads failed to mention how little he’s played this year. Who’s doing their research?)

3. Kleiza did spend a lot of time lost on the floor. Last year he was patient, picked his spots, and made big shots. This year he launches it as soon as he gets it far too often. Great point on the Artest deal, Sleepydog. Gotta wonder how much input GK had in that decision.

4. The contrast between the first half and the second half was staggering. The Nuggs came out agressive, punishing the rim and daring the Jazz to stop them from getting to the bucket. This fueled their defense – it’s easier to defend when the other team has to start their offense by inbounding after the make. Conversely, the second half was all about the missed jumper. Not only is it a detriment to offensive production, but it’s real hard to stop a team from scoring when they are breaking off of long rebounds all the time. I liked that the Nuggets didn’t quit defensively, and refused to give up uncontested layins, but I almost threw the remote a number of times after watching a long jumper go up after one or no passes. That’s just lazy.

5. Who do we hold responsible when the team goes into jumper mode like they did in the second half? It’s repeatedly been a problem for the offense, and I bet is a key to any opponent’s game plan – make the Nuggets shoot jumpers and the game is over. I blame GK. Call a time out. Tell the team that a jumper with more than 5 left on the shot clock will earn you a seat on the bench. Do something besides sit on your chair and chew your cud!

6. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to get DWill riled up like that if you’re Dahntay Jones. The guy is an Olympian, dominating the Nuggets at the time. Maybe you could stop him more than once in a row before you decide to start leaning on him and taunting. Plus, do you really want to get whatever grease he puts in his chia-hair all over your forehead?

All things considered, it was a pretty solid effort for the Nuggs. A game that should have been won, certainly, but they never quit, and that in and of itself is a huge improvement over years past. Let’s put our own 10 game win streak together and make some noise in the playoff hunt!

Posted on March 10, 2009 at 12:01 pm | filed in | No Comments

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