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What every Nuggets player is up to coming out of the All-Star break
By Christopher Dempsey
Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari rubs the head of Nikola Jokic after he walks off the court for a timeout during the team's 112-93 over Toronto on Feb. 1. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
The Nuggets are back in action on Friday, when coach Michael Malone revisits his old stomping grounds — Sacramento — for the first and only time this season since he was fired there a season ago. They enter that game playing some of their best basketball of the season having on four of their last six games and 10 of their last 19.
Individually, there is a lot going on. Here are notes on every Nuggets player coming out of the All-Star break. In alphabetical order.
Darrell Arthur: The forward missed the last five games going into the break due to a sore left quad, but the team hopes he is able to return to action on Friday after the extended break. Nagging injuries chipped away at what was a solid start to his season as he ended up either playing through pain consistently or not playing at all. Arthur is averaging 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 46 games this season. Known as a pick-and-pop power forward, Arthur has added more rolls to the basket and sprinkled in some post-ups as well.
Will Barton: One of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season, Barton has exceeded the team's expectations in nearly every area and has already played more minutes this season (1,540) than the previous two seasons combined (1,370). He's second on the team in scoring at 15.5 points per game, and is one of the Nuggets' best shooters with averages of 45.5 percent from the field, 38.0 percent from 3-point range and 85.5 percent from the free throw line. He's sizzling in February, shooting 53.5 percent and is a +11.8 in the month. Barton's play has earned him mention for both the Sixth Man and Most Improved awards. Teams have already approached the Nuggets in trades for him, but those were rebuffed. Read more…
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Categories: General Nuggets
Why the Denver Nuggets need rest and reinforcements
Nuggets coach Michael Malone cannot wait to draw up more plays for Danilo Gallinari this season. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
PORTLAND, ORE. — The Nuggets rode the wave as long as they could, mixing and matching and patching and cajoling. Another night, another lineup. Another 'step up' player to lean on. And all the while facing the NBA's top teams.
Inevitably, there were going to be diminishing returns.
The Nuggets are at that point. No Danilo Gallinari, no Emmanuel Mudiay, no Jusuf Nurkic and no Wilson Chandler. On any given night there's been no Jameer Nelson, no Darrell Arthur, no Gary Harris and no Joffrey Lauvergne. The Nuggets have not spent one day this season with a full, available roster. And with Chandler being out for the season, they never will. Read more…
Wilson Chandler injury taking longer than expected to rehab
Wilson Chandler (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
Many eyes and ears perked up when the Nuggets signed small forward Kostas Papanikolaou last week, and it had nothing to do with the incoming player.
It had everything to do with the man he was brought to help fill-in for: Wilson Chandler.
Now, it seems those concerns are being validated. Chandler is out for tonight's game against Milwaukee, and there is no longer a firm timetable for his return. He's not progressing as well as hoped in his rehab of a right hip strain, and so, for the time being he's in a bit of a holding pattern as he and the Nuggets training staff continue to work on the issue. Read more…
November 9, 2015, 9:26 am
Will Barton eager to face his former team, and other Nuggets notes
Nuggets guard Will Barton in a game earlier this season against Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Will Barton's not the guy to hand out bulletin-board material, but he's not going to lie, either.
Facing his former team, Portland, is going to stir up some emotion.
"If I said it didn't, you would say I lied anyway, so I'm not going to say that," Barton said, smiling. "The main focus with me really is we've lost two in a row, we haven't won a game at home, so it's time to get a win. I try to put (Portland) in the back of my mind and just go out there and attack this game just like I do any other game."
This is the second time Barton faces the Trail Blazers, the team that drafted him in 2012. Last year, he played against them a little over a month after Portland traded him to Denver as part of the deal that sent Arron Afflalo to the Pacific Northwest. Barton was good in that contest, scoring 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and adding seven rebounds. Read more…
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Predicting who will play where for the Nuggets when the season starts
Nuggets rookie forward Nikola Jokic guards Chicago forward Cristiano Felicio in a preseason game. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Sure, it's just two and half weeks into the preseason. But there are some things I think I know. The roster and the starting lineup are two of them. Injuries and solid performances are making things clearer from a who starts and who are the reserves standpoint.
But beyond that it gets muddier.
There are many players deserving of ample playing time, but not everyone will get it. This won't be a repeat of the last couple of seasons that sometimes saw 10 or more players play in a half on a regular basis, which led to confusion and consternation. So, taking a stab at this: Read more…
October 1, 2015, 6:11 pm
Wrapping up the first week of Denver Nuggets training camp
Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, left, and forward Wilson Chandler talk on the bench during the first day of Denver Nuggets training camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. ( Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
COLORADO SPRINGS — The U.S. Olympic Training Center portion of the Nuggets' preseason is now over. And though the majority of the month of camp remains, here's a quick look at who did what, who said what and where the Nuggets are heading into their first exhibition game Friday night at the L.A. Clippers.
Making an impression. Nuggets coach Michael Malone was quick to say no player stood head and shoulders above the rest in terms of performance, but plenty had standout moments. Still, the player that has garnered the most praise early on has been second-year guard Erick Green. Green's offseason work started pretty soon after last season ended, but it was his work at the Pepsi Center in September coupled with a hot start at camp, which has caught Malone's eye.
"Erick Green is playing great basketball," Malone said. "I've been very impressed with how well he's played."
And overall? Read more…
Wilson Chandler pens letter to Nuggets, fans after signing extension
By Nicki Jhabvala
Two days after the Nuggets announced they had signed Wilson Chandler to a multiyear extension, the veteran forward penned a message to the team's executives and fans to reaffirm his commitment to Denver.
In a lengthy message posted to his Instagram account Monday, Chandler thanked the team's management for the new deal and told fans he's "ready to lead the charge" in turning around the team:
I make all my decisions based on what will make me happier in life. That should say everything in regards to why I chose to resign with Denver for the next 4 years. Of course I could of played out my current deal and tested the waters next year when the TV money will sky rocket the salary cap. However Life is bigger then that. While the nuggets organization was very generous and I'm extremely happy with the new deal, I made this decision because of the city of Denver, the Nuggets fans, and my teammates. I tasted what it was like to win in this great city, and I've never been more focused to recapture that feeling. It will take a lot of hard work and commitment from top to bottom but I know we can do it, and I'm ready to lead the charge. It's going to be a great ride and I wish the season could start tomorrow. To the ownership and management I say thank you! To the fans I say an extra thank you for they are the real reason I'm staying here for the long haul. Nugget nation let's come together and turn this around!
A photo posted by Wilson Chandler (@illwil21) on Jul 13, 2015 at 4:13pm PDT
Michael Malone won't wait for training camp to establish Nuggets identity
It's already "go" time in Michael Malone's mind.
The fact that it's July, four months before the start of the season, or that it's summer league have no bearing on the new Nuggets coach's state of mind.
He wants the foundation of his system, both in practice and games, laid now. Read more…
Categories: Coaches, General Nuggets, Offseason
June 6, 2015, 11:56 am
Q&A: Jack McCallum, author of ':07 Seconds of Less,' talks Mike D'Antoni, Nuggets' search
Mike D'Antoni is a candidate to be the Nuggets' next head coach. (Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
There is rarely a mention of Mike D'Antoni that doesn't include "seven seconds or less," a reference to his revolutionary style of play that made the Phoenix Suns one of the most exciting teams in the league in the mid-2000s. Led by point guard Steve Nash and complemented by Amar'e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, the Suns brought a new brand of play to the NBA, with speed, pick-and-rolls and open 3s.
Former Sports Illustrated writer Jack McCallum had a front-row seat to the team's remarkable 2005-06 season, capturing the behind-the-scenes moments and on-court feats in his book ":07 Seconds or Less: My Season on the Bench With the Runnin' and Gunnin' Phoenix Suns."
McCallum changed the game in his own right with the book and his near three decades of covering the NBA for SI. He's he remained close to D'Antoni, and Nash, over the years, so when word got out that the Nuggets, with whom he started his NBA career in 1997, had interviewed D'Antoni for their head-coaching job, McCallum was kind of enough to offer his thoughts:
Do you think D'Antoni is opposed to a rebuild?
MCCALLUM: "Let's preface this by saying as close as I am to him, I don't know. But my best guess is that I can't see him taking a rebuilding job. Essentially, the Knicks were a rebuilding job and, as weird as it sounds, the Lakers kind of turned into one. They were two not very good teams. The Knicks were clearly a rebuilding job. The Lakers job is tough to turn down, even if they have you and me in the backcourt.
"My answer to that is, I don't know. We haven't talked specifically — we always talk around this stuff — but it would surprise me to see him take a rebuilding job."
Categories: Coaches
Nikola Jokic expected to sign with Denver Nuggets; Wilson Chandler's contract guaranteed
There are a couple of hurdles to get through, but the Nuggets are expected to have 2014 second-round draft pick Nikola Jokic signed and ready to roll prior to the Nuggets' summer league in Las Vegas in July.
The 20-year-old Jokic, a 6-11, 253-pound Serbian center, played last season for KK Mega Vizura in the Adriatic League. He led the team in points (15.4), rebounds (9.2) and steals per game (1.5). He also averaged 3.5 assists for the team.
His play has been a constant source of interest and excitement in the Nuggets front office and scouting department. A high basketball IQ and a game that stretches out to the 3-point line — he shot 34.6 percent from there during the season — has the organization eager to see him against NBA-caliber players.
With a deal on the horizon, the Nuggets will get that opportunity.
Wilson Chandler contract guaranteed.
Wilson Chandler's contract for next season is now fully guaranteed; the time for the Nuggets to release him at a fraction of the cost has now expired.
Categories: Contracts
As NBA trade deadline approaches, Nuggets look to procure assets
For the Nuggets, the next four days is about building assets.
They are approaching their first trade deadline in a sole "sellers" mindset for the first time in many years. In return they hope to collect more picks — preferably in the first round — and perhaps a player or two they can go forward with as they begin an eight-month retool of a current roster that has fallen well short of preseason expectations.
Now that the NBA is clear of the all-star break, a business "dead period," deals league-wide will commence. And it got started quickly with Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire agreeing to a buyout late Sunday night. Expect the Nuggets name to be attached to numerous trade scenarios. They have a number of players that may or may not be with them in uniform by the time the open the post-all-star portion of the season Friday night at Milwaukee.
Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler. Afflalo has risen to the top as the most coveted Nuggets players heading into the deadline. And for a few reasons. First, he's a solid scorer from the shooting guard spot. He's second on the team with 14.5 points per game on 42 percent shooting and 33.7 percent from beyond the arc, he can score in a variety of ways and he remains a capable defensive player. However, Chandler's numbers are almost identical. He's averaging 13.9 points per game on 42 percent shooting and 33.8 percent from 3-point range. Outside of Chandler's rebounding advantage — he's averaging 6.0 per game to Afflalo's 3.6 — the difference between the two is primarily in their contracts.
Categories: Players, Trades
Analysis: How the Nuggets could start a serious roster makeover
We don't know what Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly and head coach Brian Shaw ultimately have in store in putting their stamp on reworking the Nuggets roster.
But we have clues.
Those clues came in the first few weeks after both were hired in 2014. Shaw talked about playing inside, out. He talked about playing smashmouth basketball. Yet those are things his teams have never been able to get to, in either year of his coaching tenure.
But that won't be the case for long. The Nuggets will get to work on constructing a team that plays that way, because if Shaw is going to go down he's going to go down playing the type of basketball he wants to play.
There's not one surefire way to makeover a roster. In this case, using what little we know we've blended free agency and the draft in a way that checks off many of the boxes.
So, for entertainment purposes only, this is how the Nuggets can get from here — 20-33 at the All Star break — to something different, and better, in the future.
Categories: Coaches, Contracts, Free Agency, Front Office, General Nuggets, NBA, Players, Trades
The Morning After: 3 Nuggets at Celtics observations
Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) falls to the floor after fouling Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. The Celtics won 104-100. (Elise Amendola, The Associated Press)
BOSTON — Three takeaways from the Nuggets' 104-100 loss to the Celtics at TD Garden on Wednesday night.
Jae Crowder's defending beats Gallinari's sealing. Two of the Nuggets most critical turnovers late in the game were on plays involving Danilo Gallinari. With the Nuggets down 92-90, Ty Lawson — standing at the 3-point line — attempted an entry pass to Gallinari, who was posted up so high that it allowed Lawson's defender, Marcus Smart, to be able to guard two players at once. With virtually no usable space between Lawson and Gallo, and with Lawson at a bad angle anyway, his pass was easily tipped and picked off by the high-intensity Smart. And while it can be argued Lawson shouldn't have made the pass in the first place, had Gallinari walked Jae Crowder down more from his starting spot, which was the 3-point line, and then held his ground to not get pushed so far away from the rim on the post up, things would have been fine. Read more…
January 20, 2015, 7:53 am
Morning After: Nuggets at Golden State observations
Nuggets F Wilson Chandler tries to get a shot up over Golden State's Klay Thompson. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
OAKLAND — Observations from the Nuggets' 122-79 loss to Golden State on Monday afternoon at Oracle Arena.
Sticking to Wilson and Afflalo. While Ty Lawson is the Nuggets' leading scorer, the bulk of the team's scoring comes from the wing. Golden State knew that, and one off their top priorities was to remove wing scoring from the game. That meant getting to Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler early to not allow them to get going. And that task fell on the shoulders of Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston. Their first order of business was to crowd both players, both good spot-up shooters, and make them shoot on the move. Read more…
WATCH: Wilson Chandler posterizes Tyson Chandler, Nuggets' bench goes nuts
There was a lot of Chandler-on-Chandler crime in the Nuggets' game at Dallas on Friday but none more egregious than the one committed by Wilson Chandler.
The Nuggets' forward threw down a vicious dunk on Mavs big man Tyson Chandler about midway through the first quarter, causing the Denver bench to go wild.
Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler also had highlight-reel dunks in the game, but Wilson's … oh my.
WATCH: Wilson Chandler blocks Shabazz Muhammad's dunk attempt
Sloppy defense. Missed rebounds. Turnovers. They were all there for the Nuggets early against the Timberwolves. But so was this monster block by Wilson Chandler of Shabazz Muhammad's dunk attempt.
At least it got the fans screaming during a (so far) very quiet game.
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3 Nuggets vs. Heat observations: The Morning After
Nuggets Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo guard Miami's Dwyane Wade during Wednesday night's game. (David Zalubowski, The Denver Post)
Three takeaways the morning after the Nuggets' 102-82 win over the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center on Monday night.
Setting a patient tone. The Nuggets' first three possessions of the game were arguably their most efficient, getting them calmed down early and setting a nice foundation in the half court that they could build upon. Each of the first two possessions featured great reads from the passer, multiple passes and the ball finding the hands of a player that had the space to do something with it.
But it was the third possession of the game that was the Nuggets' best.
December 9, 2014, 11:01 am
3 observations from Nuggets at Raptors: The Morning After
Nuggets guard Ty Lawson drives around Toronto's Lou Williams on Monday. (Darren Calabrese, The Canadian Press via AP)
TORONTO – Three takeaways the morning after the Nuggets' 112-107 overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.
Timing is everything. With 28.3 seconds left in regulation, and game tied at 102, the decision was made to run a Ty Lawson/Timofey Mozgov screen-roll. The play call was just fine. The problem came when the Nuggets also decided to run the clock down a much as they did before getting into the action. The Raptors – predictably – trapped Lawson on the play forcing him to have to scramble to get the ball to someone who could do something with it. The end result was the Nuggets didn't even get a shot off before the shot clock expired. Had that play been run a few seconds sooner, the Nuggets would have had time for Toronto to stop the initial action and still remain unrushed in adjusting to get a quality look off. But when they were forced to do something against a clock ticking down on them, they couldn't find the look they wanted in time, passing the ball too many times.
The Morning After: 3 observations from Nuggets at Hawks
Nuggets Ty Lawson (left) and J.J. Hickson battle Atlanta's Paul Millsap for the ball during Sunday's game. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
ATLANTA – Three takeaways the morning after the Nuggets' 96-84 loss to Atlanta on Sunday afternoon.
Finding a few good reserves. The Nuggets bench suffered through one of its worst outings all year long, which would have definitely qualified for the worst outing had Alonzo Gee not played so well in the second half. If you remove Gee's 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting, the rest of the reserves went 4-of-26 from the field, including 0-of-11 from the 3-point line. Still, off shooting nights happen. The bigger issue is the lack of faith in the bench that crept into Nuggets coach Brian Shaw's mind. "Sometimes I feel like I can't take (the starters) out, and I know that I have to," he said afterward. Read more…
The Morning After: 3 observations from Nuggets at Jazz
Utah Jazz's Alec Burks, left, defends against Denver Nuggets' Arron Afflalo in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, in Salt Lake City. The Nuggets won 103-101. (Rick Bowmer, The Associated Press)
SALT LAKE CITY – Three takeaways the morning after the Nuggets' 103-101 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
Going small. Timofey Mozgov might have finished with a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds), but the Nuggets spent a big chunk of the game employing small lineups. The most effective lineup of the night? Nate Robinson/Gary Harris/Danilo Gallinari/Darrell Arthur/J.J. Hickson. They spent six minutes on the court together, in the second quarter, and here's how that broke down: They scored 20 points – yes, in just six minutes – on 8-of-13 shots (61.5 percent), 2-of-4 from the 3-point line with six rebounds, six assists and were a plus-14 on the night, the best plus-minus mark of any Nuggets lineup on Monday night. They were only outscored by the Nuggets starting lineup, which scored 34 points as a group in 17 minutes. Read more…
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Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.
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