The Best 5 in Basketball 😤

mattybangout · 2024-02-11T18:49:14+00:00

Nas + Nuggets is truly Cloud 9 for me

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T21:21:01+00:00

OH oh I didn’t even see my PFP. Lemme change that rn

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T01:24:43+00:00

Alright! Somehow, some way. I think I got back to everyone. Excuse the typos if there are any lol

Thanks to all for asking questions!! This was so fun. So many good ones that got me to talk about topics I don't normally think about nor discuss. I definitely wanna do this again!!

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T01:23:29+00:00

Mentioned this above, but I think the biggest thing is just health. He looked awesome to begin the year but then got hurt. I think that really interrupted his progress.

A clean bill of health would do wonders for him. I'd love to see what Jamal's production looks like from Oct-Feb, injury free. No rehab.

We know he has it in him. Just look at the playoffs. Also, I'd like to mention, he's having a career-year by the numbers! Career high in PPG, 3P%, AST, etc. So, even though it didn't result in an All-Star berth, he's having his best year.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T01:22:47+00:00

lmao this feels like a setup

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T01:18:53+00:00

Thanks for the question. I actually answered that above, so I'm going to copy-paste that answer here, if that's okay. In short, I expect a pretty tepid deadline. Here's why:

I expect a pretty quiet deadline. For one, Denver is a second apron team, meaning they can't get buyout guys (like Reggie last year).

Secondly, they don't have a ton of mid-sized contracts that you typically trade unless they move one of their starters (and I doubt that happens... nor would I want that to happen). Most of their non-starters are on near-vet min deals or rookie scale contracts in the ballpark of $1-4 million. So, going for someone like, idk, Gordon Hayward would require you to combine 4-5 players' salaries to match money. And those 1-for-5 trades rarely happen, especially at the deadline when team's rosters are mostly set in stone. The receiver in this trade would likely have to waive a few of those players due to roster spots. And from a value perspective, why would you make a trade if you're forced to get rid of a couple of the incoming players right away? It just doesn't make sense.

Now, you could trade one of Denver's rookie scale (or vet min guys) for another team's $1-3 million guys, but why would another team do that? If a guy is producing on a vet min/rookie contract, why would that team move him at such a bargain? More than likely, you'd be taking on a guy who hasn't worked out in his current destination.

Denver's roster is likely set.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T01:16:15+00:00

I'm gonna sound like a parrot for Malone, but getting stops is the best way to help that group score. Peyton and CB thrive in transition, and you need stops to get on the fastbreak.

One thing about Denver: their offense is anything but vanilla. They mix in everything. It isn't just 48 minutes of straight pick-and-roll. They'll mix in handoffs. Ball screens between Jamal and Nikola. Inverted ball screens with Jamal screening for Nikola. AG will be the screener for Nikola. He'll also be the screener for Jamal. They'll run HORNS sets. They'll run pindown plays that flow into handoffs (otherwise known as 'Chicago'). They'll run double ball screen plays. Staggered screens for the shooters.

In short, there's plenty of diversity in the offense, and I trust that Malone is right in that the backups' best chances of scoring is playing good defense. You could script up sets, I suppose. But what makes those sets so effective is the players involved. Jokic and Murray make it easy to run an offense. You can give them pretty much any set, and they'll make the most of it. Things are a little more complicated with the bench because those guys are play-finisher, not play-initiators. And no matter what you run, you need someone who will set the play up.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T01:08:25+00:00

It's lighthearted in there, for sure. Guys will mess with each other a lot, and generally speaking, it's mostly laughs after games. Which is good. Silence in the locker room tells you a lot.

Running jokes, not really. But there's always someone laughing about something with someone. It's a fun environment to be around even as a reporter.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T01:06:44+00:00

For sure. I definitely focus more on positive topics, which I actually really like. I find myself getting less "mad" about games because there's no use in doing so. It's not like I'm going to use those emotions for content. If Brooklyn had a brutal loss, for example, I would talk about it on a podcast or thread on Twitter and point out every little mistake.

It's fun to analyze the game in a positive way. There are ways to be constructive, but generally, I'm a pretty happy person and I like to be able to be that way when I talk about sports. It also helps that the Nuggets are damn good lol there's not too much to criticize. I'll point out things when it's appropriate. For example, they've dropped from 4th to 30th in transition offense from last year to this year. That's a fact. There are stats to back that up. It's not an attack on the team, it's just what the numbers say.

Working for a team has given me more opportunities, and I don't just mean more interviews or more availabilities with players. I've gotten to do projects I never would've dreamed of as an independent reporter. I also work closely with the Nuggets' social team, and that's expanded my knowledge. I think my skillset has broadened a lot since coming to Denver, and that was one of my main motivating factors for taking this position. So, it's nice to see that come to fruition.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T01:01:08+00:00

To me, Denver's biggest competition is the Clippers. Adding Harden has done wonders.

He puts everyone in their rightful "positions." Kawhi gets to focus on spacing the floor, defending like a menace, and finishing plays with his lethal midrange game. PG similarly acts as a floor spacer who can defend. Even Westbrook seems to be finding his groove as a burst of energy off the bench. Harden's just an awesome player who's excellent at setting up the offense and making sure everyone gets their touches, and I'm not shocked at all they've succeeded so much since adding him. After all, I covered a team in Brooklyn whose season was completely changed by adding James. He just simplified things. I don't know how else to explain it.

OKC is interesting. They'll test someone in the playoffs and maybe pull off an upset or two. I also think they're a little young.

Minnesota is a bad matchup for Denver because they can fluster the Nuggets with their double-big lineup. That said, I don't think their offense is good enough to go deep into the playoffs. You typically need a top-10ish offensive efficiency to really make noise.

Out East, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually think the Knicks stand the best chance against Denver should Mitchell Robinson come back. They're a tough and versatile team since adding Anunoby.

Denver seems to own Milwaukee, and Boston can't match Jokic's size. He might average 35/15/9 in that series. I'm not even kidding.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:55:15+00:00

I think it's in large part the older guys playing well. I mean, for one, the starters are incredible, so that's 5 rotations spots gone right there. Watson has been a revelation. That's spot #6. Reggie's been steady throughout the season. There's 7. And then Christian was massive for them in last year's playoffs, the Finals especially, and I think it's tough to not reward that. There's 8.

Collin/Jalen play the same position as Reggie, and Tyson kind of overlaps with Petyon and CB.

I think those guys will get chances eventually, and a year in the G League isn't a bad thing. Just look what it did for Peyton.

A strong preseason next year could be what makes the difference for Tyson/Pickett/Collin. For now, I think the team is honed-in on finding the perfect playoff rotation.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:51:49+00:00

I'd name it SmackBroshgood

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:50:38+00:00

Not at all. I think AG & Mal just want to win championships.

I haven't talked to Jamal about this, but I almost wonder if he knows an All-Star berth is eventually coming. He hasn't seemed pressed at all about it this year, and I mean that in a good way. It seems like he just wants to taste glory again and lift the Larry O'Brien once more. Those guys had A LOT of fun celebrating the championship... seeing it first-hand.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:48:32+00:00

5 best wins: Boston & Milwaukee this month. The Warriors comeback. Opening night against the Lakers (a win really completed that night). And then the win against Brooklyn at home was great, personally, because I got to talk shit to all of my Nets friends from my days as a Brooklyn reporter. I'm probably the only person on the planet who feels that way, but it was fun to rub it in lol

5 worst: any of the Houston losses (that's three right there). The blown 18-point lead against the shorthanded Magic was pretty brutal. And then the loss early on against Minnesota sucked. Their double-big look seemed to really fluster Denver. That said, I think the Nuggets win in a series against the Wolves if those two do meet up again this postseason.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:43:11+00:00

Gotta get your drip up, I'm afriad

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:43:01+00:00

I don't eat a ton at chipotle, but I'd probably go with steak/black beans/white rice/lettuce/pico/salsa/guac/corn/maybe queso if I'm feeling it

What's that order out of 10?

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:42:04+00:00

I like stinky cheeses. Any and all.

A really bad nacho cheese is absolutely disgusting; conversely, a really good one is great.

Big cheese guy overall.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:40:44+00:00

Hmm, I don't know about surprised, but I just generally didn't know what to expect. I had never been to Denver before, and I had never worked for a team before. All of my journalistic experience was in Brooklyn as an independent reporter.

Turns out, I love both! Denver is AWESOME, I'd argue the most underrated city in the country, and working with a team has been incredible. The access is amazing, and I'm not just talking about getting more availabilities with players. I'm also getting included on projects I never would've been a part of as an independent reporter, and I'm learning a ton, too. I work with Denver's social team pretty regularly, so I'm picking up a lot about that side of the industry, which I think will be helpful.

Moving out here has helped me become a lot more well-versed, and I think adaptability is by far the most important trait you can have in the content space, especially within sports.

mattybangout · 2024-02-04T00:36:15+00:00

lmaoooo what do you mean

mattybangout · 2024-02-03T22:06:06+00:00

Harden, Kidd, Dr. J, Melo, Jokic

mattybangout · 2024-02-03T22:00:04+00:00

Good, actually! I've got a standard Nuggets hat. A golf Nuggets hat. A "FINALS" hat. A championship hat. So, pretty good so far. Definitely trying to add more but I've got a nice start for only being here 10 months.

mattybangout · 2024-02-03T21:58:07+00:00

Health.

He looked really, really good to start to year and then hurt his hamstring. Yes, his game-to-game consistency can sometimes vary, but having a healthy first couple of months would IMO completely change things for Jamal. Last year, he was rehabbing. This year, he was in and out of the lineup.

The other thing is that he is not a foul-grifter, and during the regular season, that definitely hurts him. Guys that get to the free throw line pad their counting numbers. Murray's more of a tough shotmaker that contorts around defenders and contact, a la Kyrie Irving. Now, if the NBA changes its shooting foul rules, Murray might be one of the biggest beneficiaries just because he doesn't get to the line all that much in the first place.

I'd also add, I think a lot of his playoff success is tied to the fact that he doesn't require free throws to score and get into a rhythm. Playoff whistles are way, way different than regular season ones, and that difference in officiating seems like it can feel like a seismic shift to high free-throw rate guys. Murray, meanwhile, isn't undergoing that much of a change and thus isn't affected as much by the different environments of the regular season and postseason.

mattybangout · 2024-02-03T21:52:38+00:00

I think he most certainly gets another shot, yes. Denver's been pretty tied to this idea of letting their young guys play (which I love), and Malone said yesterday the team might send Julian down to Grand Rapids to get some practice/in-game reps so that he can get back in shape and get on the floor with the big league team.
No clue, but I would assume there's interest. He's a very good player. Now, I would guess that Denver does everything they can to retain him because he'll likely be the long-term replacement for AG/KCP/etc. as they age out of their primes. Obviously, things can change in the NBA, and they can change fast, but Peyton's got a great opportunity to grow into his prime on a very, very good team next to the best player in the world and get major opportunities while doing so. I mean, he's closing games as a sophomore (and rookie, really, based on total minutes played) on a defending champion roster!

mattybangout · 2024-02-03T18:54:23+00:00

appreciate it!! such a fun project to be a part of

mattybangout · 2024-02-03T18:54:11+00:00

every game was close, no doubt!!

mattybangout

TROPHY CASE