Ryan Blackburn here, the host of the daily Locked On Nuggets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nuggets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nuggets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Denver Nuggets: How Early is Too Early to Panic?
Oct 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) on the bench in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena. |Ron Chenoy/Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
After much consternation during the preseason, the Denver Nuggets have followed suit with an 0-2 record to start the regular season.
Nikola Jokic nearly won the Nuggets the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday with 41 points, making 7-of-12 from three-point range in the process. Unfortunately, the rest of the team continues to lag behind.
Because Jokic and Jamal Murray combined to make 10-of-18 three-pointers on Saturday, it papered over the reality of Denver’s other players shooting 4-of-17 from three. The spacing continues to be an issue. Opposing teams are daring Denver’s role players to hit outside jumpers. They’ve missed.
For much of Saturday’s first half, the offensive performance could only be described as pitiful. It was a fear of Denver’s to not have enough trusted shooting in the starting lineup and bench units, and those fears have come to pass early.
With Russell Westbrook, outside shooting struggles were expected. Westbrook is 2-of-18 from the field and 1-of-9 from three. Peyton Watson has yet to make a three-pointer, though his struggles were also expected, coming back from a hamstring injury having played in zero preseason action.
What hasn’t been expected is Michael Porter Jr. struggling to shoot the basketball. One of the premiere shooters in the NBA, Porter is just 3-of-16 from behind the three-point line in Denver’s first two games. More than the misses, Porter was passing out of wide open three-pointers in the second half on Saturday, something the Nuggets hope corrects itself in short order.
The Nuggets are embarking on a three-game road trip starting today against the Toronto Raptors. They play a back-to-back at Brooklyn before heading to Minnesota for a rematch with the Timberwolves on Friday night. That’s an important game, but they’re all important for the Nuggets right now. Denver simply needs wins, however they can get them.
If the Nuggets finish that road trip either 2-1 or 3-0, I won’t be surprised. Sometimes, teams need to get away from home, eliminate distractions, and bond with the team. That could help swing Denver’s momentum back in a positive direction. Make the shots you’re supposed to make and dig out of a shooting slump.
If the Nuggets finish the road trip either 1-2 or 0-3, I won’t be surprised, either. Yes, these are two easy road games, but the Raptors just beat the 76ers and the Nets just beat the Bucks. Both teams CAN upset Denver. Follow that up with a T’Wolves team hungry to prove they’re still ahead of Denver, and the Nuggets might falter if they don’t focus up quickly.
A 1-2 or 0-3 road trip would raise alarm bells. Perhaps not enough alarm bells to make significant changes, but it would certainly show the problems are real.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoots the ball over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.|Photo by Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
At this moment, there are plenty of fanbases who will tell you three games into the NBA season is a perfect time to panic. Personally, I tend to enjoy the early and often wonky machinations of the season — young or written-off teams coming in hot, the Goliaths of the league taking some time to get on their feet again, and decisive, stand-out performances that hint at an athlete’s season to come.
Tyrese Maxey had one of those last night, putting up 45 points for the Sixers in an everywhere-at-once game against the Pacers. Sixers fans were one of the fanbases I was alluding to earlier, after the team’s 2-0 start to the season and being without Joel Embiid and Paul George, but the game in Indiana should bring hope.
Early on, the Pacers put pressure on Maxey. Without Embiid and George, Maxey and Kelly Oubre are the Sixers best scoring options and Indiana wanted to shut them down. Maxey looked tentative, with very little of the free-ranging, freneticism that serves him so well. That shifted in the second half, aided by Maxey’s shots starting to fall but more in his movement returning. He hunted looks and when he didn’t find them, he barrelled down through traffic and finished in balletic layups and off-balance put-backs.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis
Two games in, and the season is already over? Not really, but SB Nation does have a lot of concerns about the Nuggets.
Prediction
Avert your eyes. ESPN’s experts have some guesses on how this season is going to turn out, and it doesn’t look good.
Feel Good
Ahead of Nuggets-Raptors tonight, Denver’s Jamal Murray came to Toronto this past weekend to host a Canadian basketball showcase. (Toronto Star).
Watch
The Heat unveiled their new Dwayne Wade statue, and, well, it’s weird. (The Athletic)
The Struggles Of Tyrese Haliburton In Fantasy Basketball
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts to a call during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.|Photo by Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Tyrese Haliburton’s Struggles and Steph Curry’s Injury
The first week of the NBA season has brought unexpected challenges for some top players. Tyrese Haliburton, a consistent performer over the past two seasons, is off to a puzzling start. Despite playing significant minutes, his assist numbers and shooting percentages have dipped, raising concerns among fantasy managers. Haliburton himself admitted post-game that something feels off, though the specifics remain unclear. Patience is advised, as his track record suggests improvement is likely.
Meanwhile, Steph Curry’s ankle injury has sent shockwaves through the fantasy community. After spraining his ankle twice in a game against the Clippers, Curry’s status for the upcoming week is uncertain. This development could lead to increased roles for players like De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski, who may take on more ball-handling duties in Curry’s absence. Fantasy managers should monitor updates closely and consider potential replacements if Curry misses extended time.
Ja Morant’s Status and Fantasy Implications
Ja Morant’s status for Memphis is now questionable, suggesting a potential minutes restriction if he plays. This situation opens up opportunities for Scotty Pippen Jr., who could see increased playing time. While Pippen’s long-term viability remains uncertain, his current form makes him a valuable addition to your roster. Meanwhile, Josh Hart and Bradley Beal are also questionable, with Hart’s potential absence leaving the team thin on forwards. This could lead to streaming opportunities, though with 11 games on Monday, the timing might not be ideal.
Click the button below for more fantasy insights, including why Jordan Hawkins deserves a look and what Grayson Allen’s return means for Phoenix and your lineup.
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