The Denver Nuggets started out the week in dramatic fashion with an afternoon win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. That was the start of what was another up and down week for Denver and their fans.
Nuggets go 2-1
The Minnesota game seems ages ago but it was perhaps the high point of the week. After busting out a double digit lead in the second half, the Nuggets let Minnesota march all the way back to tie the game and force overtime. However, just as he had done a few nights before against the Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jokic proved to have what it takes, and buried the T-Wolves right before the horn.
What followed the high point of the week was the low point. For whatever reason, the Atlanta Hawks have the Nuggets number. Coming into the game the Hawks had a 6-2 record against the Nuggets during Coach Michael Malone’s tenure and they would improve that record this week. Young star guard Trae Young went ballistic putting up forty-two points behind 8-13 shooting from three. Young also managed to tally 11 assists along the way. Despite his outstanding effort the Nuggets had a chance to win, but the Hawks proved to be too much.
The Nuggets found a way to bounce back with the Brooklyn Nets in town and on national TV on Thursday. Once again it didn’t look to be going the Nuggets way but they found a spark in the second half behind a bench unit of Monte Morris – Will Barton/Gary Harris – Juancho Hernangomez – Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee. Plumlee and Hernangomez in particular shined. It wasn’t because they were bombing threes from the logo like Trae Young, but because they played as hard as they could and provided some energy which has been sorely lacking in the early parts of the season.
All three Nuggets assignees get minutes in the G-League
The Nuggets have three players assigned to the G-League: Bol Bol, Vlatko Cancar and P.J. Dozier and all three saw minutes this week. P.J. Dozier is starting (at small forward?) for the Windy City Bulls while Bol Bol came off the bench in his professional debut. Meanwhile Vlatko is coming off the bench for the Erie Bayhawks. Dozier is letting it fly but has solid assist Numbers as well despite starting at the three, Cancar has been up and down. His debut last Saturday was a rough shooting night but bounced back with a solid game this week. Bol meanwhile was strong in his debut. Above all else he looked healthy, but he also showed his soft shooting touch and rim protecting ability as well.
Governor Jared Polis weighs in on Altitude vs Comcast/Dish dispute
In a somewhat surprising move, Colorado Governor Jared Polis stepped into the foray between Altitude TV and Comcast/Dish this week. Polis wrote a letter to Jim Martin, President & CEO of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, urging him to make a deal with the television providers and end the blackout that has lasted for months. While DirecTV and Altitude made a deal two weeks ago, neither Dish or Comcast appears to be in a hurry to get a deal done. A related note, according to the Colorado Sun Polis received a $25k inaugural donation from Comcast.
Player of the week: Will Barton III
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It’s been a really strong start for Will Barton III to this season. There’s an argument to be made that he’s been the best Nuggets player, bar none, so far. He had a solid double double in the win over Minnesota, followed it up with twenty-one points and nine rebounds against the Hawks before finishing out the week with a 17/6/4 line against the Nets. Barton was also crucial in the stretch run against the Nets that allowed the Nuggets to come back and end up with the victory. Sadly, Will also has now found himself on the injury report with left adductor tightness. Barton of course missed a huge portion of last season recovering from surgery to repair a right adductor strain. Core injuries continue to plague the Nuggets for what feels like an eternity now.
Fun moment of the week: We got the anthem for Nuggets victories
Big shout out to our Social Media Director Jena Garcia who had the idea of coming up with a celebration video to commemorate Nuggets victories this season. We wanted to do something special to highlight how the fan base, and all of our Stiffs in particular, have a fun way of showing their excitement after a Nuggets victory with a video/gif train. Jena painstakingly put together what turned out to be, in my opinion, the best victory celebration I’ve seen to date. Hopefully we’ll be seeing this a lot this year.
Podcast Corner
Big week on the casts as we got back in the full swing of things. Start out with Gordon and I on the Pickaxe breaking down the big win over the T-Wolves and previewing the week, then head to The Dig where Nick and Jeremy advocate getting back to enjoying this season. Finally, finish it out with Ryan and Jena on the Denver Stiffs show where they talk about Paul Millsap and his underrated impact on this team.
