Nuggets vs. Pistons: Takeaways and Player Grades
By Tim Hart
The Nuggets need a leader to step up, and bring in a sense of offensive accountability.
The Nuggets need to take better shots. This game was generally a rough one, and some good shots just would not fall. Fortunately, there were also a good amount of terrible shots taken, as each player seemed to be gunning for the one-man comeback after ending the 1st quarter. I say “fortunately” because this should be an easy problem to fix, it is simply a matter of composure. Denver’s coaching staff and veteran players need to up their leadership and start holding each other responsible for taking bad shots. Whenever a bonehead three bounces off the rim, the players simply wait for their next opportunity to score. This is unacceptable.
The Nuggets need a Chris Paul type figure to step up and start upping the accountability for shot selection. This does not mean vocalizing blame and starting fights, but it does call for on-court leadership and assertive encouragement. As it stands, Wilson Chandler seems to be the player best poised to take on this role.
His veteran experience and relentlessness on the court are two great ingredients for making a team leader. This would mean going harder on himself too, which also seems right in Chandler’s wheelhouse. The look of frustration on Chandler’s face after a late game turnover was refreshing, as it revealed just how much he cared. That sort of passion can be contagious if applied correctly. If Wilson Chandler can harness the respect of his teammates, then he could very well lead them to a turnaround in offensive and defense accountability. One thing is for sure, the sort of “it is what it is” mentality being displayed by most of these Denver Nuggets is just not cutting it. Its time to play with more responsibility.
Take a look at these Nuggets player grades from Detroit’s match-up. It won’t take long for this inefficiency and lack of accountability to make itself apparent.