10. "Hopefully we don't look back" In response to Reply # 0
Enjoyed this one immensely. Very well could've been a career-defining game for Jamal either way... so happy it went in his favor. Malone will deservedly get credit for sticking with him - and he should - but letting him and Barton go out and build houses for three quarters very well could've cost us the season.
Malone needs to make the obvious move and drop Barton. Jamal needs to build on this. Jokic needs to get better shots for himself. Gary, Paul and Beas... well, they can keep doing what they're doing.
LA and Derozan balled. Pop vs. Malone isn't fair. But tonight showed the squad around them is not even remotely good enough to hang with us when we're playing well. Now, all we have to do is go win in San Antonio. It's just that we never really do that.
Still, the first playoff win for this team in 6(!) years. That's enough for right now.
12. "Something something vet experience, or whatever" In response to Reply # 11
I don't actually know though. Beasley's been a clearly, CLEARLY better option all year, even when Barton isn't going 0-for-everything. He should be getting those minutes, period, with Craig rotating in for more defensive looks.
I feel for Will going out like that and getting booed so intensely at home because he's clearly not 100% and is always going to look to shoot himself out of a slump no matter what... that's his game. So I put that on Malone for letting it go so long.
13. "Craig should be starting for defensive purposes alone" In response to Reply # 11
Also Will likes the ball in his hand so much i believe it disrupts the offensive flow. Gary is running around screens trying to get open and Barton is there dribbling looking for his shot. I like him a lot more as a 6th man last year, but they paid him so it makes sense they moved him into the starting 5. Beasley and Morris are also outplaying him.
18. "Tbh, this was the best match/bracket" In response to Reply # 16
The Nuggets don't have any wings to make DeFrozen's life miserable & White/Murray is Rozier/Bledsoe. Unless Malone benches Barton (who can't shoot or defend) in favor of Beasley, Jokic is going to be kept in check via double teams.
20. "If the Spurs are getting 40+ from that backcourt, they are tough" In response to Reply # 16
That is gravy. And then you throw in Poetl giving them 10. Pop not giving you extra possessions (six turnovers). Its not like they are an enigma, turn the backcourt back into a pumpkin and be physical with Lerch. But if these young boys really start feeling their oats, then Denver is done. Next game is going to be bananas.
22. "Didn't get to watch, but Malone made the right move with the Craig vs Ba..." In response to Reply # 21
Anytime the nuggets get 18 from Craig it is likely to result in a W and i just feel Barton plays more freely in the second unit because his JR smithin' doesn't effect the flow of the starters. Good W for Denver and it seems they controlled the game from the end of the 2nd on.