Denver Nuggets Jekyll and Hyde Act: What’s the difference?

The Denver Nuggets had the second best record in the Western Conference after a red hot 9-1 start and as recently as their blowout win over the Atlanta Hawks.

After dropping their last two to the New Orleans Pelicans, and Milwaukee Bucks in the midst 0f a 1-6 streak, the Denver Nuggets sit 6th in the West and just one game up of the 9th place Houston Rockets.

So what has changed? In short it appears to me that it is lethargic stretches both offensively and defensively. The change hasn’t always been in the 3rd quarter, but it provides too good of a statistical point not to look at. In the 7 losses Denver has been outscored by 28 points total 4 points per game. In the 10 wins the Nuggets have outscored their opponent by 43 points or 4.3 points per game.

That 3rd quarter provides an example of what is clear to the naked eye primarily to me on the offensive side. The Nuggets have had plenty of brilliant flashes when they are scoring inside and out while dictating the pace to their opponent, but they have all too often been accompanied by stretches when the offense is stuck in neutral and the intensity on defense seems to dwindle with every turnover or missed shot.

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To the layman, it appears that the ball freezes on the perimeter with a guard and a big circling each other while 3 and sometimes four players pick a spot on the perimeter and watch the show. When the Nuggets are shooting lights out they seem to knock down contested and late possession jumpers. I don’t think they can be consistent in doing this though.

To me, Denver has to be all hands on deck on every possession. Sure they have 3pt shooters and sure Nikola Jokic can have 16 assists with only 9 shot attempts and win, but not consistently without great defense and timely scoring it never would have worked. All options must be on the table and the decision to try another option must come quickly during the game.

Time and time again I’ve seen a substantial lead eroded away or a tight game start to get away as the Nuggets seem to be a DVD skipping with the same offensive possession that never enters the paint.

It could be argued that the defense is letting them down and that they can’t push the ball because of that, but from a fan’s perspective it appears to be that the defense fades due to the opponent starting off a missed shot or a turnover continually for an extended period of time. I’d love to see the stat from Denver’s defense off of made shots versus their defense after missed shots and turnovers.

I believe that if the Nuggets would be quicker and more willing to adapt to what’s working in the game I would never be writing this article because Jokic can be incredible in the post as well as run the offense from the top of the key, and Jamal Murray can be aggressive to the hoop as well as spot up for three’s.

It goes on and on when you look through the lineup and the Denver Nuggets put the talent on the floor to be 9-1 every night and they give performances worthy of being 1-6 on occasion. Most players on the current roster have more then one trick up their sleeve and need to recognize which card to play throughout the game.

It’s always easier from my seat then a players or coaches position, but I believe in every guy on the roster and I think if they believe in themselves, and play with that confidence then the Nuggets will again climb to the top 3 of the Western Conference.