Denver Nuggets vs Atlanta Hawks: What we learned

Denver Nuggets beating themselves.

The Denver Nuggets drop from 1st place to 3rd place, with 2nd loss in a row. However, it by no means is all doom and gloom. The Denver Nuggets can top the West once again, if, they learn the lessons last night’s game offers them.

Moreover, as always, reinforcements are on the way (Isaiah Thomas, Will Barton etc).

Next, we discuss the specific lessons last night’s game potentially taught the Denver Nuggets.

Denver Nuggets Must Use The Full Power Of the Team

Being right about what the Nuggets’ flaws is no fun at all. Hopefully, as the season progresses so will the Nuggets. However, last night, the Denver Nuggets once again found themselves playing catch up. The main reason for this, is lack of communication on defense.

More from Nugg Love

• Was trading Bones Hyland a mistake for the Denver Nuggets?
• Did Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets break Anthony Davis?
• Denver Nuggets stars face serious disrespect in recent NBA rankings poll
• What will it take for Denver Nuggets star to become ‘inevitable?’
• Denver Nuggets NBA Training Camp report, other preseason dates to know

Too often, just like their game against the Hornets the Denver Nuggets were giving up open threes. As we all know, anything worth doing in life is extremely difficult. Needless to say competing for a top spot in the NBA’s Western Conference, is something best avoided by the faint-heated among us.

Nevertheless, because defending an NBA team is so difficult, Denver must start to use team defense to perform at a high level. Someone (ideally all four players) has to be vocal in ensuring the closest player to the ball is closing out on the 3 point line earlier.

The two most important focal points on defense are the ball and the basket. Again, the Nuggets must communicate to make sure teammates are guarding these two things well with the ball movement and screens being set by the Atlanta Hawks. The communication between the Nuggets has to be continuous if Denver hope to defend exceptionally. The Atlanta Hawks are actually last in the NBA with an average 3 point percentage of 31.6%.

However last night, the Hawks had an above average performance scoring 15 of 42 3’s good for 35.7%. Simply put, the worst 3 point shooting in the NBA shot better against the Nuggets because they got open shots.

Denver Nuggets To Defeat Tiredness With Team

In all honestly, fatigue likely has a role to play in the Nuggets recent two game skid. Yet, once again, the strength of the team as a whole, as a unit, is what Denver have to use to pull through these tough times. Rather than suffer individually in silence. The Denver Nuggets have to come together and push and pull as team to keep going in the right direction.

A clear indicator of the fatigue the Nuggets are feeling is the fact that Atlanta got 24 fast break points compared to just 10 fast break points for Denver. Neither the Hornets nor the Hawks are a better team than the Denver Nuggets.

However, the Nuggets are beating themselves.

We all knew the Nuggets would have a great season this year. Nobody foresaw the Nuggets would be this close to the top.

So, it is understandable for the Nuggets to have a few growing pains here and there. Which is basically all this is. However, the ability to keep on winning, especially by using the strength of the team. Is precisely what will have the Denver Nuggets ready for the playoffs.

Moreover, although this season figures to be coach Malone’s most successful and a novelty for virtually all involved.

Coach Malone must fulfill his duty and ensure Denver are both motivated and prepared to win. Coach Malone has to ensure the Nuggets are communicating and functioning as one whole organism.

So, that Denver is able to still play defense at a high level and play efficiently at the offensive end too.

The main take from last night’s game is that the Denver Nuggets must come together and do so through continuous communication.