Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 3: NUGGETS @ BLAZERS - MAY 27, 2021 - THURSDAY, 7:30, NBATV & NBCSNW

It's not really. If you don't think he had an effect on the great performance in Game 1, seems odd to then place all the blame for the bad performance in Game 2 on him.

 

That was the game, right there.

 

Comparing scoring of Jokic and Nurk is absurd. Jokic is Denver's leading scorer. Nurk is maybe fourth option.

 

Didnt place all the blame on him, but you do realize he can coach medciore when we win, and he can coach bad when we lose, right? Am I supposed to give him credit for being mediocre in order to acknowledge that he coached poorly in Game 2? How exactly does this work?

 

That and the pathetic interior defense.

 

With 7 turnovers and pathetic defense we win that game, IMO.

Nurk was in foul trouble all night. That screwed with us.

 

So was Powell. That screwed with us much more IMO.

 

Good point. I didn't even realize Powell was in foul trouble.

 

Powell had 3 in the first quarter but ended with 3. Stotts went to DJJ in the second quarter. Of course they blew us out then but don't look at +- because it will say something different. Hate that stat.
CJ ended with 5
Melo with 5
Nurk 6
Funny thing is RoCo didn't really get in foul trouble?

 

With foul trouble like that it's tough to play good defense...

 

@BonesJones and @hoopsjock were killin Stotts' presser last night. Urgency you say? "UH i didn't SAY THAT."


This whole segment is good:

 

Pussies in 6 lol. I'll take it!

 

More foaming at the mouth from that hoopsjerk guy

 

...was Evanem that "brand" marketing guy that stole other peoples designs and sold them on $40 t-shirts?

 

I'm not really sure that Stotts should make many adjustments. 21 turnovers was extremely uncharacteristic of this team--we lead the league in fewest per game. It got the team completely out of its normal offensive rhythm, and it led to a lot of easy baskets for the Nugs. The teams had similar rebounding and EFG% numbers--we just gave them the ball an extra 11 times.

If Stotts starts changing lineups significantly or running new plays, it's more likely that turnovers continue to be a problem as guys are playing outside what they are used to. Worse, it'll feel like a panic move.

One change I would consider is swapping out Kanter for Hollis-Jefferson when Jokic sits. I prefer Kanter's sizes in being physical with Jokic when Nurk needs a blow, but Kanter is flat out terrible when there is no center for him to guard. This is a pretty minor adjustment though. (Kanter is a regular season backup center. Somebody who beasts on a random Tuesday night when the other team is on a back-to-back. He is not somebody you want the other team to significantly game plan for because of all his defensive woes.)

Sure, pull CJ and Roco especially aside and point out the 9 turnovers they had between them. Throw Jones in again if we're getting killed by their size. Give RHJ all the small-ball center minutes.

But basically play the team that got you here, and play the way they're used to.

 

The sad thing is that it wasn't out of character for this team for a playoff game. Stagnant, low ball-movement offense doesnt succeed in the playoffs. It's not a surprise that we had 15 less turnovers in Game 1 when we moved the ball well.