What is going on with this Nuggets team? Ever since B-Shaw was fired, the Nuggets have gone 4-2, and we’re coming off a dominant victory against The Hawks. What’s changed about the team? They’re actually playing with energy and as a team!
The offense is flowing well as the Nuggets continue to swing the ball and run with energy. Gallo, over the last couple of weeks, seems like he has his legs back and finally trusts them to run and handle some weight on cuts. Wilson continues to hit shots, and Ty is leading the charge. The most emphatic purpose sine the firing of Shaw has been Kenneth Faried, who has been running, jumping, and playing defense at a high level.
The biggest part of the change is the role the bench players are having. All the bench players are supporting the younger players’ development. The team is communicating on defense and it’s clear to see what’s happening. The team continually talks and yells at each other. In the first quarter alone, “Good D, Will!”, “Yeah, Will!”, “Way to go, Will!” were constantly heard as the Nuggets played defense and Will Barton pressured the ball.
The team is running the floor again under Hunt, who was the main assistant under George Karl as well. The Nuggets are turning into a running team again, but aren’t forcing up bad quick shots. Demonstrated by their total of FOUR fast break points against the Hawks. Instead, they got into the front court quick, put pressure on the Hawks to play defense, and swung the ball from side to side.
Granted, the Hawks game can’t be the role model game because the Nuggets went 13/31 from the three point line. This included a lot of heat check shots from Foye, Gallo, and Nelson, but hey, NuggetsNation will take it. Bring on Golden State next!
#KeepCoachHunt
