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Kenneth Faried: From Morehead State to the Denver Nuggets

By Thaine Kramer

Jan 27, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) makes the basket against the Boston Celtics in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) makes the basket against the Boston Celtics in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) runs up court during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) runs up court during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Morehead Success

Here is what is most interesting about Faried’s defensive struggles, he was named the 2011 National Association of Basketball Coaches Defensive Player of the Year. He earned this honor during his senior year at Morehead State.

Some of the past winners of this award include former Denver Nugget Kenyon Martin (Cincinnati) and the recently retired Tim Duncan (Wake Forest). Duncan was a three time winner of this award.

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Faried’s senior season with Morehead State saw him average 14.5 rebounds, nearly 2 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game. While putting up 17.3 points per game. Morehead State even took down the 4th seeded Louisville Cardinals during the 2011 NCCA Tourney in March Madness fashion. Faried gained some second team All-American honors during the 2011 NCAA season.

Pretty impressive for a unknown mid-major in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Two other accomplishments for the Manimal while at Morehead State were earning his college degree and becoming the all-time NCAA leader in rebounds post-1973 season.

We all know that success at the college game does not always translate to NBA stardom. Faried maybe only one of five Morehead State players to ever play in the NBA. It is worth noting that Phil Simms of NY Giants Super Bowl fame came out of Morehead State.

Please, save your Phil Simms CBS Sports NFL coverage comments for another column.

So what is up with questions about Faried’s defensive ability in the NBA?

Apr 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) defends against Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) defends against Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2015-2016 season saw his minutes fall to only 25.3 minutes per game, his lowest level since joining the Nuggets. It would be safe to say that his 4th quarter minutes were significantly reduced during Malone’s first season as coach.

However rebounding, blocks, and points per game were near or above his career average last season. He is definitely a double-double guy in the NBA. His scoring average for this team is probably capped at around 12 to 15 a game.

All these numbers are great for the undersized power forward out of Morehead State and these numbers were what the Nuggets wanted from him by making him the 22nd pick in the 2011 draft.

However, It is no secret that his defensive efficiency ratings for a power forward rank towards the bottom of the league. That is what is fueling these recent trade rumors.

The Nuggets want to and need to improve on the defensive end to make Malone’s system work. They gave up an average of 105 points per game last season and any improvement in this statistical category would definitely lead to more wins.

The options for the Denver Nuggets and Kenneth Faried:

Next: Trade Him?

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