Five Things We Learned About The Denver Nuggets

Dre Isn’t Happy: Putting Andre Miller on this Denver Nuggets team seemed like a match made in heaven, but so far that hasn’t been the case. Miller is currently averaging his career worst in points (9.8 points) and field goal percentage (.425), and to make matters worst Miller recently told Chris Tomlinson that he isn’t happy in his backup role with the Nuggets. Miller is in the last year of his contract and said he’d seek a starting role in the NBA and wouldn’t be opposed to remaining in Denver if nothing else opens up. While there wasn’t anything wrong with what Miller said, it obviously didn’t sit well with George Karl, who responded by saying, ‘I’m glad he’s proud of himself and he wants to play, but I think this still is the best opportunity for him.’ So the question is, should the Nuggets consider trading Miller before the trade deadline? The Nuggets are on the road to something special with a team that plays together and with cohesiveness and it migh be worth trading Miller for another player that is more willin gto buy into the system.
No Easy Shots For Nene: The NBA is a copycat league and teams saw how the Oklahoma City Thunder defended Nene and the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs last season and they are defending the Nuggets in similar fashion. Teams have packed the paint in an effort to not give Nene any easy baskets. They are throwing an extra defender, and sometimes two in his direction, and teams aren’t afraid of making him earn it from the line. Nene has also let opponents off the hook by resorting to jumpers instead of battling for position closer to the paint. He has obvious been frustrated with the defenses and tends to lose interest when things are going his To Nene’s credit he has been much more active on the glass this season, averaging 8.4 rebounds a game.
Brewer and Fernandez Trade Was A Steal: Any time you turn a second round draft pick into a player it is a steal. But when you turn a future second round draft pick for two rotation players is pure robbery and it is easy to say after 12 games the Denver Nuggets robbed the Dallas Mavericks when they traded a future second round draft pick for Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer.
Everybody knew that Rudy Fernandez would be the ideal replacement for J.R. Smith, but Fernandez has been far more than that so far this season. He has quieted all the talks about his bad attitude, by being the ideal pickup for the Nuggets team mentality. He is extremely unselfish and a great passer, willing to set up his teammates for easy baskets. He also is great in the fast break and coming off screens for open jumpers and if the Nuggets offense goes stagnant he isn’t afraid to take over. But all in all, he has been the ideal pick up for the Nuggets.
Brewer has also been a bright surprise, everybody knew he was a good defensive player – but not sure he was that good. His length, athleticism and knowledge has been a handful for opposing players. On Sunday, he forced Dwyane Wade into an air ball and he also blocked MarShon Brooks fast break basket to help the Nuggets beat the Nets. On the offensive side of the ball is where Brewer has been more impressive, he is great at running in the fast break and getting easy baskets, but he is also able to knock down a few jumpers as well. He is shooting over .50 percent from the field and has hit 6 of 9 from behind the arc.
The Nuggets Are Still Young: In the last five days, the Nuggets have blown out the Heat, gave up a season-most 115 points to the New Jersey Nets and have lost two games at home to teams with a combined record of 4-7 on the road.
That is what young teams do, but at what point do the Nuggets grow up? At what points do they realize that they are in the NBA and they need to wake up and be ready to play with any team?
Hopefully the Nuggets grow up fast, because they will now go on a 5-game road trip, which includes two back-to-backs.
Mozgov has range: Timofey Mozgov is starting to resemble former Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, not because of his size but because of his jumper. Mozgov surprised his teammates, the Heat and the fans on Friday when he hit back-to-back jumpers. He showed his range again on Sunday when he hit a 15-foot jumper against the Utah Jazz. Having a 7-footer on any team helps, but one that can make jumpers is huge.