Nuggets Down 0-2 – And I’m a Little Worried
The last two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves were not pretty. A seven-point loss in game one, followed by a 26-point spanking in game two.
But I’m not worried. The Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA Champions, and they have Nikola Jokic.
Is it a little concerning that Michael Malone undoubtedly made some adjustments after the game one loss, and the team did even worse in game two? Sure.
Is it troubling that Jamal Murray is imploding a bit? Yeah.
Is it nerve wracking that game three is in a couple of days, on the road, and no playoff team has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit? It is.
Okay. I’m a little worried.
• The starting unit for the Nuggets has played a lot of minutes this season. I’m a little worried that the only fight left at this point – will be provided by the Jokic brothers, somewhere up in the stands.
• Considering that the Timberwolves handled the altitude, the Nuggets got no favors from the referees, and Minnesota completely dominated the first two games of the series – I’m a little worried that our homecourt advantage may be over.
• I’m a little worried that after Anthony Edwards lit the Nuggets up for 43 points in game one, and 27 points and 7 assists in game two, the comparisons to Michael Jordan aren’t just hyperbole.
• I’m a little worried that they may have the next Michael Jordan, while the Nuggets have the current DeAndre Jordan.
• I’m a little worried about Denver shooting 35% from the field – with Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, missing from the game due to the birth of his first child. If Gobert plays, that percentage could plummet to 30%. If the newborn plays, 25%.
• I’m a little worried about the fact that the name Ball Arena fits perfectly, because the Timberwolves were ballin’. And yet, Ball Arena fits, because we’re all sad, depressed, a few tears, and thus, we’re ballin’ too.
• I’m a little worried that Jamal Murray is confused about the difference between making a shot to win the game – and making a shot within the game.
• 3 for 18? I’m a little worried that Jamal Murray shouldn’t be throwing heating pads when his shooting is that cold.
• As a matter of fact, Murray’s most accurate shot of the night was a towel thrown at a referee. I’m a little worried that Jamal will be suspended for game three.
• And I’m a little worried that throwing in the towel could also be foreshadowing.
• I’m a little worried that Jamal Murray could miss game three due to a suspension – and the Timberwolves are worried that he MAY NOT miss game three due to a suspension.
• I’m a little worried that Rocky, the Nugget’s mascot, has a better shooting percentage than Murray, or the entire team for that matter. And Rocky shoots backwards, from half-court, wearing over-sized mascot gloves.
• I’m a little worried that the Average Joe’s, is both a reference to Denver’s halftime entertainment team, as well as the Nuggets’ bench.
• I’m a little worried that I saw Nikola Jokic checking out Serbian horse farms on his phone during a second quarter timeout last game.
• I’m a little worried about DIA having a flight heading to Mexico, a gate over from the Nuggets’ flight heading to MPLS.
• A gate over is far-fetched, and I’m not worried about group huddles with, “Cancun on three…” chants. But I am a little worried about Cancun in four.
• I’m a little worried about the Timberwolves bench that had two players in double-figures last game (Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker). While the Nuggets had just two starters in double-figures.
• I’m a little worried that if the Nuggets’ best bench player is Justin Holiday, we are just in the right place to go on holiday.
• I’m a little worried that others don’t consider an NBA championship, followed by a second-round loss – a dynasty.
• I’m a little worried that the next Colorado team in need of a Hat Trick could be the Nuggets, and not the Avalanche.
• I’m a little worried that the Denver Nuggets could be eliminated from the playoffs – even sooner than the Colorado Rockies.
Down two games to zero. Playing on the road. Not sure if Jamal Murray will be playing. Fighting for our playoff life.
I’m a little worried.
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