Nuggets Early-Season Takeaways and Rest-of-Season Predictions
Nov 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone gestures during 120-109 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
We’re only ten games into the Denver Nuggets’ season. I am aware. But it is never too early to make nonsensical predictions and strong-hearted claims.
Scanning over an unusually difficult schedule to begin the 2015-16 schedule, the Nuggets were primed for a slow start against teams that gained traction as potential powerhouses in the West as well as organizations that are busting over the cusp of mediocrity.
October and November prepared a tricky schedule against the likes of the Rockets (twice), Thunder, Warriors (twice), Spurs (twice) and the Clippers. The other 10 games proposed rickety matchups against rising teams such as the Timberwolves, Suns, Jazz, Pelicans and Bucks. The only realistic games Nugget fans could hope for a win against were contests against the Damian Lillard-led Trail Blazers and the arthritic-Kobe-that-shoots-under-30-percent Lakers.
Heads started to turn on opening night when the Nuggets trashed the Rockets, disrespecting Houston with a 20-point victory. Whether you attribute this performance to Lil-B’s curse on Harden or superior play by the Nuggets, it was a strong win to open the season.
Analysts remark that the significance of wins over the Rockets loses traction behind Houston’s slow start and chemistry issues (currently rocking a dismal 4-6 record). This is asinine. Despite the slow Rockets start, they are still a strong playoff team with three All-Star caliber players (including former Nugget Ty Lawson) and are a force to be reckoned with.
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Following the strong performance in Houston, Denver dropped two ugly back-to-back L’s against Minnesota and Oklahoma City.
The two games ended as blowouts, but both the Thunder and T-Wolves have firecracker offenses and competitive edges to perform. A comforting matchup against the Lakers greeted thirsty players and fans alike, and the Nuggets walked away with an 11-point “W”. Denver followed with double-digit losses to the Jazz and the Warriors.
Trending along with their inconsistency, they went on a three-game win streak across five days, snagging nail-biting wins from the Blazers and Bucks and dousing the Rockets at their second meeting by nine points.
Now sitting semi-pretty at 5-5, the Nuggets are looking average. As the season ensues, I focus on the team’s necessary points of emphasis for further success. One can tell more than presumed from ten games, and a young season warrants a discussion about the necessary strategies to employ for continued higher performance. Here’s what we know so far:
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