Mudy and the Vets: Takeaways from the Nuggets' Latest Victory
Nov 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (right) celebrates a play with Jameer Nelson (1) in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Behind another impressive performance from Wilson Chandler, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns for their 7th win of the season.
Mudiay played well, but the two-headed veteran beast that is Chandler and Nelson can no longer be ignored.
The injury-battered Nuggets played a heck of a game on Sunday. In fact, for the most part, they looked nearly unburdened by injury, as the team played with a collective efficiency and productivity. If it weren’t for a couple big runs by the Suns, this game could have easily been a blowout for the Nuggets.
While the win is sweet, and there is plenty for fans to celebrate, there were a few concerning moments for the Denver squad. Mainly, once again, their weakness in containing stars was exploited. This time, the Nuggets were able to hold on, but let’s not forget Friday’s loss to the Thunder, which was essentially a loss to Russel Westbrook himself.
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With the loss in sight, Russ took over and turned the tables on the Nuggets late in the 4th quarter. This nearly happened again on Sunday, only at the hands of Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe.
This time, the Nuggets weathered the storm. Denver was able to stay offensively productive into the final minutes, which ultimately kept them from succumbing to the momentum of Phoenix’s stars. After allowing the Suns to trim a double-digit lead down to just tree points in the 4th quarter, Nuggets veteran Wilson Chandler stepped up to personally secure the win for is team.
Nov 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 118-114. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jameer Nelson still has it, and Wilson Chandler looks new and improved.
Without last season’s two leading scorers, Danilo Gallinari and Will Barton, the Nuggets needed an offensive leader to step up. One might have expected sophomore guard Emmanuel Mudiay to up his game, and he did, but the sophomore was ultimately outshone by Denver’s veterans.
Mudiay played well, but the two-headed veteran beast that is Chandler and Nelson can no longer be ignored. In their last two games, these two seasoned players have struck fire. They killed it against OKC, as both vets logged massive double-doubles. Jameer Nelson posted 21 points and 13 assists, and Wilson Chandler contributed 32 points and 11 rebounds. Some thought it was a fluke, but they would be silenced by the duo’s performance against Phoenix.
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Both Nelson and Chandler had another 20+ point game, with 21 points and 25 points respectively. Chandler nearly double-doubled again, as he grabbed 8 rebounds in his 39 minutes. While their production alone was impressive, their efficiency too deserves recognition. Together, they shot over 50% from both the field (16/30) and from three point range (7/13). They also went a perfect combined 7/7 from the free throw line, and logged just three collective turnovers, all in 67 minutes of combined playing time (Chandler 39min, Nelson 28min).
If nothing else, Nuggets fans should be proud that their veterans have so much productivity in them yet. For the more optimistic, their sustained dominance in the box score could very easily translate into more immediate wins, despite the multiple injuries which have temporarily eliminated Gallinari, Barton, Harris, and Hernangomez from seeing court time. This is made all the more likely by the recent turnaround of Emmanuel Mudiay.
Nov 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) blocks the shot attempt by Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 118-114. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
If Mudiay keeps his efficiency up, this team can turn around in no time.
Many fans of Denver have likely found a pleasant surprise in the outstanding play of the Nuggets veterans, but let’s not dismiss the recent bounce-back from Emmanuel Mudiay.
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With Jamal Murray now reasonably cooled down from his recent hot-streak, Emmanuel Mudiay could not have picked a better time to break out of his slump. After logging 5 assists to just 1 turnover, a statistic that most Nuggets fans now identify as crucial, and also going 5/10 from the field, 3/6 from three point range, and 4-6 from the line for 17 points (against OKC) on Friday night, Mudiay continued to produce well on Sunday. He got the best of Phoenix and logged 6 assists to just 2 turnovers. Mudy also posted 19 points on 5-13 shooting, while going 1-3 from downtown and 8-10 from the line.
This is the type of play that the Nuggets will need from Emmanuel Mudiay on a consistent basis moving forward, if their goal of reaching the playoffs is to be met. His recent bout of self control, made evident by efficient three-point percentages and assist-to-turnover ratios, both of which have a tendency of slipping away from the young guard, is refreshing to say the least. Mudiay seems to have his head on his shoulders now, but his ability to sustain this will be tested in the next few games.
If Mudiay can keep it up, the veterans continue their rallying surge, and players start becoming healthy again, then Denver’s “make the playoffs” goal really does not seem too far fetched at all.
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