Game Thread Dec 30, 2024 07:00PM MT: Denver Nuggets @ Utah Jazz
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Jazz was worse team with Keyonte playing tonight compared to those games he sat out.
Keyonte was pretty good last night, especially after coming back from injury. His shot wasn't quite there, but he limited too many bad shots. He had 6 assists and the best +/- of any of our starting lineup. Also, the Jazz played very well in general and were close against a very good team.
I didn't realize this while watching the game, but Westbrook just had the 3rd "perfect" tripple double in NBA history, meaning he didn't have any turnorvers and shot 100% from the field:
www.espn.com
Westbrook authors 'perfect' triple-double in win
Russell Westbrook, who posted 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, became the third player in NBA history to have a triple-double with zero turnovers and shoot 100% from the field and the line in the Denver Nuggets' 132-121 victory over the Utah Jazz.
It's ****ing Jokic.....
The dude is going to finish his career as a top 5 player of all time and he is currently in his peak. No one on the roster even has a prayer at guarding him and he got no help weak side rebounding in the cases Jokic did miss. Shut the hell up. File this one under stupid complaints
Westbrook has been surprisingly good with Jokic. Another notch under his GOAT belt for reviving a late career WestbrookI didn't realize this while watching the game, but Westbrook just had the 3rd "perfect" tripple double in NBA history, meaning he didn't have any turnorvers and shot 100% from the field:
Westbrook authors 'perfect' triple-double in win
Russell Westbrook, who posted 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, became the third player in NBA history to have a triple-double with zero turnovers and shoot 100% from the field and the line in the Denver Nuggets' 132-121 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Step-Back Lauri
Well-Known Member
One thing to follow on the becoming g 2025 is, how well will Keynote and Lauri work together. Nuggets defended Lauri very well, but it's to be noted still how Lauri's fga dropped back to 13, when it had been more last few games. That said, in Keyontes last game together it still was 21 fga for Lauri, so it might be other things. And also that said, I feel the chemistry with the other backcourt pairings last few games was better than it is with Sexton-Keynote backcourt.
Also think Westbrook is arguably the GOAT longevity athlete. For having ACL surgery at one point in his career the level of athleticism he has maintained as a guard is insane and unprecedented
I'm also convinced Clarkson is still really good and if he's on the court with a good team that will tamper the moments where he tries to do too much he can be a difference maker for a playoff team off the bench.
Clarkson was always a great playoff player for us because he could get shots off when the offense broke down against great playoff defenses.
I definitely think Clarkson would be a great addition to a team for a playoff run. They need to have enough ball handlers and defenders though so that Clarkson wouldn't have to do too much.
Tremendous Upside
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Bright spots:
- Kessler held Jokic to 36/22/11 and only occasionally looked like he was gonna cry
- With the new baby and all, it's good Lauri has the ability to sleepwalk through an NBA game and get some rest. The one rebound in 30+ minutes was a nice touch
- Cody and Collier acting like they’re on fire when a random 3pt shot goes in is high comedy
- Watching Flip turn down wide open looks doesn't raise my blood pressure anymore. I've accepted that's who he is. The second coming of Luke Walton
- Kessler held Jokic to 36/22/11 and only occasionally looked like he was gonna cry
- With the new baby and all, it's good Lauri has the ability to sleepwalk through an NBA game and get some rest. The one rebound in 30+ minutes was a nice touch
- Cody and Collier acting like they’re on fire when a random 3pt shot goes in is high comedy
- Watching Flip turn down wide open looks doesn't raise my blood pressure anymore. I've accepted that's who he is. The second coming of Luke Walton
Thee Idiotic Minivan K
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Key had the second best +/- rating at -8 of all the starters for whatever that’s worth. I mean all of our guards miss the open man, and imo Key does this less than JC and Sexton. He did set up Kessler multiple times last night. I watched JC miss both Lauri and Juzang wide open for three on the base line because he was in his I’m going to shoot no matter what tunnel vision mode. Let’s not forget he’s a 21 year old second year player and he’s a million times better at running an offense this year over last year.
Jokic shot 14/33. Jazz executed a good gameplan, just couldn't rebound
Pretty good game. Thought Kessler was quite good tonight against Jokic, I am very worried about our team culture as it pertains to defense. Nobody else gives a **** and while that’s all fine in a tanking context, these habits can linger around. I know Hardy has said he does not focus on defense in the past, but it would be a great time to start thinking about that.
Rooks were pretty good again.
Rooks were pretty good again.
Crazy that Walker cant fully shutout a top 10 player of all time.
fishonjazz
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That was a really fun game. Was nice to see a lineup of Collier, Cody, Clarkson, Brice, and flip play the nuggets evenly for quite a long stretch. That is about as bad of a lineup possible for us on paper and they played really well. I was shocked. The starters came back in and saved the tank.
Bro, other guys guard Jokic and don't let Jokic go right through him.
"Other guys" collectively hold Jokic to 56%-49% shooting splits this season. Yesterday against Kessler and the Jazz Jokic was 42% - 33%.