The Manimal is Alive
This may have been Kenneth Faried’s best game this year. This was for one reason: defense.
He had to guard Serge Ibaka and out played a much larger top ranked power forward.
He was right in Ibaka’s face more than not, even stealing it right out of his hands and going the distance.
He was pesky and powerful. He outplayed the opposition: Ibaka got 15 points and five rebounds and one steal. Faried 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
Faried was also sharp on playing within his game. He knows he can’t hit threes, but, on two occasions got the defensive rebound, dribbled the distance through the defense and stuffed it!
He also had some great passes. He is still learning.
No athlete is close to Kenneth on the Nuggets, and when he uses his brain with that body, he is an extremely valuable asset.
He and Jokic are getting chemistry. Kenneth calls it chemistry, and unselfishness.