Denver Nuggets - The Next Level [Game 3 + 4]

[Andrew]

Good to see another challenge to mark a milestone.

[Axel The Great]

Awesome. This is the kind of stuff I should've done to keep me motivated in my dynasty. Durant broke the rebounds one in my dynasty, he had a 30-20 game against me.

[rise]

I played with him in an All-Star game in Live 2003 once, I think I broke all five records in the same game.

[Mandich]

Awesome. This is the kind of stuff I should've done to keep me motivated in my dynasty. Durant broke the rebounds one in my dynasty, he had a 30-20 game against me.

And they said NBA Live/Elite doesn't suck that much

[Andrew]

Who says that? Plenty of people are critical of it. However, a 30-20 game from Durant is hardly the best example of flaws in NBA Live.

[Kenny]

Awesome, like page 24

Good to see another challenge to mark a milestone.

Thought it was about time for another page challenge and Durant's personal highs are both challenging and achievable at the same time. I enjoyed the Black Mamba one... can't believe it was 11 pages ago

Awesome. This is the kind of stuff I should've done to keep me motivated in my dynasty. Durant broke the rebounds one in my dynasty, he had a 30-20 game against me.

He definitely was a pain in the ass to play against and it's definitely nice that I don't have to anymore. Hopefully I'll knock off quite a few of the personal bests he has

:lol: I played with him in an All-Star game in Live 2003 once, I think I broke all five records in the same game.

That doesn't surprise me either actually

Awesome. This is the kind of stuff I should've done to keep me motivated in my dynasty. Durant broke the rebounds one in my dynasty, he had a 30-20 game against me.

And they said NBA Live/Elite doesn't suck that much

Who says that? Plenty of people are critical of it. However, a 30-20 game from Durant is hardly the best example of flaws in NBA Live.

For a guy who is likely to be a perenial MVP candidate throughout his career, I hardly doubt a 30-20 game from the Durantula is the least feasible thing to come out of any basketball game really. Despite it's flaws, I'll always love the NBA Live games

[Kenny]

5 Game Summary

After a horror 5 game stretch previously, Denver somewhat got back on track with a 3-2 performance over this current round. Inconsistency is plaguing them this season, with losses to Atlanta and Charlotte after heavy wins against Utah and particularly Miami. Denver haven't put together a 2 game winning streak since December in fact, but after ending this 5 game run with a win over Indiana, they're hoping to regain some momentum in their title defense. The feature game this time is against the Miami Heat:

2 Challenges Fall in Emphatic Win



Brandon Jennings and Kevin Durant each completed a KD35 challenge as Denver recorded a thumping 92-50 win over Miami. Durant scored 15 points and constantly interrupted Miami's already flimsey offense with 5 steals, while Brandon Jennings recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Scoring-wise the night would belong to J.R. Smith, who scored a season high 36 points.

The Miami Heat were stagnant all night as only two players (Mullan 15, Everett 13) reached double figure scoring. Former All-Star Nach Carlos had a sub-par night with 8 points and 5 assists. The loss was the biggest of Miami's season so far.

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DEN@MIA

DEN: 92 (Smith 36, Durant 15, Jennings 14)
MIA: 50 (Mullan 15, Everett 13, Carlos 8)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Kevin Durant 15 points 5 rebounds 6 assists 5 steals

Rebounds

DEN: Perko 10
MIA: Mullan 11

Assists

DEN: Jennings 11
MIA: Carlos 5

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Last 5 Games

UTA: 92-78 W
@ATL: 85-70 L
@MIA: 92-50 W
@CHA: 71-64 L [simmed] (Durant 11 points, Lopez 11 points)
@IND: 68-55 W

Denver are now 23-17

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Awesome Aussie

Andrew Bogut was the key to Denver snapping their three game losing streak against Utah. He dominated the Jazz with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 1 block for good measure.

Promise at the point

Even though he's listed as a shooting guard, Ed Reed showed he has some skill at the 1, scoring 24 points. If Jrue Holiday continues to struggle, Reed could find himself with more regular minutes at the point.

Challenge Completed: Rebounds

Borislav Perko had an outstanding game against the Indiana Pacers and completed a KD35 challenge in the process. He had 14 points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. With Denver in a slight form slump, it's a good time for Perko to stand up as a leader of this team.

Birdman Soars Once Again

With George Power's numbers down in every category imaginable, Denver have looked to the experience of Chris Andersen for much needed energy off the bench. Against Indiana he grabbed 6 rebounds and registered this block that makes us all remember what a valued member he has been of this dynasty.

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Next 5 Games

GSW
LAC
SAC
@POR
DAL

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Despite not being as consistent as they were in previous seasons, some of Denver's players have really stepped up over the past 5 games. It's a promising sign, but it all needs to come together more often. This season was always going to be tough, but now it's up to everyone to play their role. The monthly report will come up before the next 5 game summary. Hope everyone has had a great 2011 so far

[Martti.]

Great job getting 3 quickly out of the way. I think Earl will get the scoring one done in the next 5-10 games. The blocks? I hope Bogut can contribute in that department.

[megarover]

You plowed right through most of those challenges. The scoring one is definitely within your grasp

[Houndy]

No Moar Sim!

Nice wins, glad that two challenges fell

[kibaxx7]

Is every team going retro, the whole season?

[Cleveland wins]

Good to see the birdman in action.

[Axel The Great]

Nice to see some of the challenges completed. You completely massacred the Miami Heat, though! They scored at the same pace as a high school basketball team.

Hope you guys can break out of this slump. PS- Birdman still hasn't retired? WTF?

[Andrew]

Good to see you polish off those challenges quickly. I too am hoping Bogut will best or tie the blocks challenge, I'm guessing Smith or Durant himself will top the scoring challenge.

[Justine.]

So fast with completing 2 of the challenges

[Warlock95]

...as Denver recorded a thumping 92-50 win over Miami.

50 pts in 48 minutes, lol. How much do they score in a quarter?

[Andrew]

That's on 7 minute quarters, so the games are 28 minutes rather than the full 48.

[Warlock95]

Still pathetic -- that's what happens to purely computer-generated teams.

[Kenny]

Great job getting 3 quickly out of the way. I think Earl will get the scoring one done in the next 5-10 games. The blocks? I hope Bogut can contribute in that department.

Two fairly solid predictions there, but I'm not sure how many more games I'll have to break it in. I have the monthly report coming up next and the all-star weekend just around the corner... they might remain in tact yet.

You plowed right through most of those challenges. The scoring one is definitely within your grasp

The scoring mark was the one I thought I was going to get first and I thought 9 assists was going to be the hardest. Not even I can predict this anymore.\

No Moar Sim!

Nice wins, glad that two challenges fell

I'll still be simming games but perhaps not as many in the future. Simming makes the wins far more satisfying and crucial because I know the engine doesn't do me any favours.

Is every team going retro, the whole season?

Indeed; it was the my 10 year anniversary gift to myself... I love the retro jerseys Except for Denver's

Good to see the birdman in action.

I forgot how fun it was to play with him actually. I just about exclusively control him when I'm on the defensive end.

Nice to see some of the challenges completed. You completely massacred the Miami Heat, though! They scored at the same pace as a high school basketball team.

Hope you guys can break out of this slump. PS- Birdman still hasn't retired? WTF?

Yeah, Miami were really poor but yet they're still one of the better teams in the East... really proves how weak that conference is.

And yeah, Birdman's still going... he's still not as old as Mutombo was in his last year

Good to see you polish off those challenges quickly. I too am hoping Bogut will best or tie the blocks challenge, I'm guessing Smith or Durant himself will top the scoring challenge.

Bogut would be a nice touch for the blocks category. Any of my big men are capable of it I think and I'm kind of torn to who I'd want to get it because I like all my centres pretty equally. I'd say Smith or Durant would be fairly even odds to getting the scoring mark.

So fast with completing 2 of the challenges

I did it without even checking the stats through the game as well. I usually get a lot of steals in a game but I just about never get double-doubles with my point guards, so that was a pleasant surprise.

...as Denver recorded a thumping 92-50 win over Miami.

50 pts in 48 minutes, lol. How much do they score in a quarter?

That's on 7 minute quarters, so the games are 28 minutes rather than the full 48.

I can't remember the exact numbers, but I think I restricted them to 9 in the first and that really helped set the tone. As Andrew said, I only play 7 minute quarters and I tend to play a high tempo game... if a team with a slow tempo plays against me and shoots poorly, they will have a tough night against me.

Still pathetic -- that's what happens to purely computer-generated teams.

I don't think it's happened that often though. There are some teams in the game that are very tough and I have lost a few games I've actually played this season so it's becoming a much more even competition in that regard.

[Kenny]

January 2019 Review

January started off as a very inconsistent month for the Nuggets. Even though at the end of the month they had a winning streak of 4 games, that was the only winning streak they had in the whole month, with every game they won, they'd seemingly lose the next. A more shocking stat of the month was the 4 games their losing streak peeked at, which has just about been unheard in the last 10 seasons. Overall their record for January was 7-6.

Monthly Awards

East Player: [CHA] Patrick McNamara (21.9ppg 4.2apg 1.8spg)
West Player: [LAC] Ollie Rose (23.1ppg 4.4apg 1.6bpg)
East Rookie: [NYK] Dickey Freeman (6.4ppg 2.9apg 0.8spg)
West Rookie: [PHX] Zach Atkins (4.1ppg 3.2apg 0.5rpg)

MVP Race

[LAC] Ollie Rose (22.7ppg 3.7apg 1.8spg)
[PHX] LeBron James (17.8ppg 4rpg 5.7apg)
[OKC] Luther Rutherford (12.3ppg 9.2rpg 2.1bpg)
[CHA] Patrick McNamara (21ppg 4.2apg 1.3spg)
[MEM] Stephen Curry (21.5ppg 5.8apg 1.1spg)

Standings

EAST

Cleveland 29-14
Washington 29-16
Charlotte 26-18
Miami 23-20
New York 22-22
Toronto 22-23
Chicago 20-21
Milwaukee 21-24
---
Atlanta 19-24
Orlando 17-24
Detroit 18-25
Philadelphia 18-28
Boston 16-28
Indiana 16-28
New Jersey 10-35


WEST

Oklahoma City 33-13
LA Clippers 32-15
San Antonio 28-16
Denver 26-17
Dallas 27-19
Phoenix 26-19
Houston 24-19
New Orleans 24-19
---
Minnesota 22-19
LA Lakers 23-21
Memphis 19-23
Sacramento 19-25
Portland 17-26
Utah 16-27
Golden State 16-30


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Coming up in February is the All-Star weekend. While Kevin Durant is likely to be a lock for the All-Star game, Denver also have 3 possible contenders for the Rookie Challenge. Also just around the corner is the trade deadline. Will the Nuggets pull off a blockbuster trade in order to complete the 3-peat? Or will they find a way to improve with the squad they have? All of which will be coming up in the month ahead.

[Kenny]

5 Game Summary

Denver made their way up the Western Conference with a 4-1 record over this 5 game stretch. They ended the month of January with a 4 game winning streak, but it ended in Portland. They won their remaining game against the Dallas Mavericks to finish off a solid round. The feature game is against West Coast rivals the LA Clippers. After losing the last two games they played against them, Denver needed a win:

Nuggets beat LA in OT



It took an extra period, but Denver managed to win against the Clippers by 94-83 at the Mile High City. In regulation, J.R. Smith tied it at 76 all with a clutch 3 an with the last shot of the game, MVP candidate Ollie Rose missed the shot that would have won it. Smith ended up with 15 points and Rose had 26. For the Clippers, Ricardo Carlos led the way with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Along with the aforementioned, Philipp Wagner registered 12 points and 10 assists, while PJ Davis score 10.

As for the Nuggets, Durant scored 19, while Brandon Jennings tied J.R. Smith's 15 point effort. The story of the game would be Patty Mills though, as he led Denver's scoring with 26 points. Recently on the bench for the out of form Jrue Holiday, Mills proved to be key in the game, getting his way to the hoop and the foul line. He was the best on court in a performance that surprised everybody.

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LAC@DEN

(OT)

DEN: 94 (Mills 26, Durant 16, Jennings 15)
LAC: 83 (Carlos 28, Rose 26, Wagner 12)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Pat Mills 26 points 4 assists 2 steals

Rebounds

DEN: Lopez, Perko 10
LAC: Williams 13

Assists

DEN: Durant, Mills, Smith 4
LAC: Wagner 10

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Last 5 Games

GSW: 86-80 W
LAC: 94-83 W (OT)
SAC: 92-86 W
@POR: 73-64 L [simmed] (Durant 12 points)
DAL: 82-72 W

Denver are now 27-18

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The Real Redemption Story?

Early on in the season, T-Mac 2.0 was touted as the great comeback story... but perhaps not close enough attention was paid to Patty Mills. Postman Pat played even less games than MacKenzie last season, but after his performances against the californian teams, he might become the leading man off the bench. To go with his MVP performance against the Clippers, he had another one against the Kings with 22 points, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Not to be Forgotten

After some outstanding performances from his bench counterpart Pat Mills, Brandon Jennings came up with one of his own. Against the Mavs he had 24 points, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 (yes THREE) blocks. The competition for the starting point guard spot seems to be heating up.

The Epicness that is...

Robin Lopez had an outstanding performance against Andris Biedrins and the Warriors. He was absolutely huge with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Greener Pastures

Both players in this picture switched teams and entered situations where they were both allowed a chance. Although DDC and Batum didn't contribute much to their respective teams that night, they are both now atleast getting the opportunity to prove their value.

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Next 5 Games

HOU
MEM
NOH
MIN
POR

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The next 5 game summary will be broken up by the all-star weekend. Accordingly, the lineups for both the Rookie Challenge and the All-Star game will be announced in my next post.

[Axel The Great]

Wow, story of the summary in Pat Mills. Excellent performances. Wonder what Jrue Holiday feels to get beat by a gray-haired Aussie.

Good to see you guys break out of the slump. I bet you could've won that simmed game against Portland had you played it.

[Houndy]

Pattys bacckkk

[Andrew]

Much better stretch there, screwed over again in simulation. Good to see you're still fourth in the West despite not being as dominant this year...if nothing else, I think you should play every game in the Playoffs when you get there. If you're going to sim bits and pieces, the regular season is the place to do it.

[Kenny]

Wow, story of the summary in Pat Mills. Excellent performances. Wonder what Jrue Holiday feels to get beat by a gray-haired Aussie.

Good to see you guys break out of the slump. I bet you could've won that simmed game against Portland had you played it.

Isn't the Patrick Mills face in this game just deplorable? Damn FIBA players!

Portland was definitely a game I could win, but the next summary I get to play them at home so we'll see

Pattys bacckkk

I'm glad to say that he is and in light of this, it brings up an interesting scenario with Jrue Holiday.

Much better stretch there, screwed over again in simulation. Good to see you're still fourth in the West despite not being as dominant this year...if nothing else, I think you should play every game in the Playoffs when you get there. If you're going to sim bits and pieces, the regular season is the place to do it.

I'll definitely play every game in the playoffs. I want the regular season to become more even but when it comes to the race to the championship, I'll be as ruthless as I can be to get another ring