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Denver Nuggets: Time for Kenneth Faried?

By Blake Holmes

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 1: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Denver Nuggets and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder jump for the rebound on February 1, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 1: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Denver Nuggets and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder jump for the rebound on February 1, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 17: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the LA Clippers on January 17, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 17: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the LA Clippers on January 17, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Denver Nuggets are in a desperate scramble for the playoffs, but could it be made easier by playing Kenneth Faried?

Faried is the longest tenured member of the Nuggets on the team, being drafted back in 2011 out of Moorehead State. He’s been through the good times, like the 2013 season where Denver won 56 games, and the bad with the Brian Shaw era. However, through all of the ups and down with the team in his career, Faried has been productive.

In fact, he’s been more than productive, averaging about 11 points and eight rebounds in his career. (per basketball-reference) Fun fact: if Faried were to retire right now, he would have a field goal percentage that ranks within the top 25 percentages of all time!

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Apparently that hasn’t crossed Coach Malone’s mind, or if it has, he isn’t interested. Kenneth has not seen the floor much at all this season, experiencing a drastic drop in his minutes totals. This is a season that has dropped from 21.2 minutes per game, to 14.4, and that’s with a large portion of them being playing early in the season.

I am here to advocate for the increase of Kenneth Faried’s playing time, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the idea that the Nuggets are pushing for a potential playoff spot, and not playing him to me is ludicrous.

The Nuggets could use that extra energy off of the bench from a guy like the Manimal. I mean, he has looked impressive in most of the appearances that he has made on the court this year, and he makes a good chunk of change. At that point, it just seems like wasted money.

Next: Keys to Chicago game

With a team trying to make a playoff push in as close as it is, Faried could be a major contributor to the team. Now it’s just on Coach Malone to make the adjustments.

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