Nuggets: Takeaways from the Mavericks loss

Denver Nuggets v Dallas MavericksDALLAS, TX - MARCH 6: Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks exchange a hug after the game between the two teams on March 6, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 928322386
Denver Nuggets v Dallas MavericksDALLAS, TX - MARCH 6: Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks exchange a hug after the game between the two teams on March 6, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 928322386 /
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Denver Nuggets v Dallas MavericksDALLAS, TX – MARCH 6: Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks exchange a hug after the game between the two teams on March 6, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 928322386
Denver Nuggets v Dallas MavericksDALLAS, TX – MARCH 6: Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks exchange a hug after the game between the two teams on March 6, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 928322386 /

Where do we begin to deconstruct what is going on with the Nuggets?

Theories abound with the current status of this squad.  Is it Malone? Is it Millsap? Jokic? The answers may challenge sacred beliefs in Nuggets Nation.

Watching the team half-ass their way through the contest in Dallas, I had an epiphany; This team is not as good as I thought it was.  The Core is not as good as I thought it was.

This isn’t response to this particular game.  It is, however, response to a season-long, boom-or-bust ride that often defies explanation.

Since there are infinite sites and writers out there covering the Nuggets, it gets harder and harder to come up with new takes.  Sometimes, the article you want to write has to stay in your head because there’s that off-chance that someone is going to see your writing, one of the players another writer, whatever.  The fear of losing access or being derided as a “hater” steers content.

So, while I want to temper my feelings about this current squad and write a responsible, middle-of the-road piece. I can not.

Here is what I’m taking away from this game: