This week, we highlight Nikola Jokic and the running Nuggets, a screening Tyrese Haliburton, a nifty Bam Adebayo development, a theory about the demise of Jordan Poole and two delightful rituals you need to see.
Jump to Lowe's Things:
MVP is Jokic's to lose | Hali the screener?
Promising Raptors rookie | Staggering Pistons rotations
Beware of Suggs | Bam's left hand
What happened to Poole? | Two Cavs rituals
1. The Denver Nuggets and the single scariest sight in the NBA
Apologies to Los Angeles Lakers fans for making them relive last year's conference finals sweep -- though this clip is actually from Denver's Feb. 8 win -- but this is officially the most terrifying sight in basketball:
If your center pursues an offensive rebound and loses out to Jokic -- and then ends up trailing Jokic in semi-transition -- just cover your eyes and assume the worst. It has been happening more lately as the champs shift into something closer to playoff gear.
The Nuggets do not run much. They are 27th in pace and dead last in scoring efficiency in transition, per Cleaning The Glass -- abysmal off both steals and live rebounds. Their pace mostly suits them. The Nuggets' brilliance -- the reason they are a better postseason team than regular-season team -- lies in the methodical nature of the Jamal Murray-Jokic two-man game.
They pick you apart one cut, screen, hesitation dribble and eyebrow fake at a time -- so slow and precise, you almost don't notice how much trouble you're in when the shot clock ticks into single digits and Jokic slings the final blow. They are comfortable where most offenses grow skittish -- in crowds, in the muck, in the midrange. They are unbothered by schemes, zones, switches, whatever tactics you try.
But they reach another gear when they pounce on transition chances. It unleashes their role players for easy baskets, and helps the Nuggets generate more 3s. The Nuggets have sunk from 22nd in 3-point rate last season to 28th now, and they become very hard to beat when Jokic rumbles them into a few extra open 3s.
Even amid this rickety fast-breaking season, the Nuggets are miles more efficient in transition with Jokic on the floor, per Cleaning The Glass.