Nuggets vs. Spurs: Player Grades

COACHING STAFF. B. In our Matchup to Watch piece yesterday, we mentioned that it was important that the Nuggets coaching staff be prepared to match Spurs’ Coach Gregg Popovich’s skill with getting the most out of whatever is available to him.  As mentioned, the Spurs were without their top-2 players and lost an important bench performer in Ginobili mid-game.  They were still in it until the very end, a testament to the ability of Pop and the trust he has in his roster. <p>In order to fully believe in  “next-man-up” scenarios, the organization has to have trust in the “next man”.  In a game against a depleted opponent, on the back end of a back-to-back, there should have been ample opportunity for the Nuggets to kick some of the rust off of their bench.  With just one game remaining (Thursday, 6PM at Milwaukee) before the All-Star break, perhaps Coach Malone believes his 8-man rotation can survive until reinforcements can arrive, in the form of Mason Plumlee and Paul Millsap.</p> <p>While this approach may pay off, the concern is that this team, by all rights, should be somewhere in the 4-6 seeding for the playoffs.  There will be expectations that the Nuggets move on to the 2nd round or are at least competitive.  As the Clippers famously discovered, last postseason with the injury loss of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, things can change in a heartbeat.  It would seem unfathomable that the Nuggets would roll into the playoffs with 6 player on the bench not having seem substantive time in 3 months.</p> <p>The coaching decisions are working, for now.  Keeping the entire team engaged and ready need to be a priority from now until the end of the season.</p> <p>If Joffrey Lauvergne taught us anything last night, it’s that anyone, on any night can be a hero.  They do, however, have to be given the opportunity.</p>. . Nuggets