Three video games into the preseason, and the Denver Nuggets stay with out a victory. Whereas preseason video games do not depend and are a warm-up for the common season, the Nuggets are winless doesn’t sit correctly with the top coach Michael Malone.
On Sunday, the Nuggets misplaced to the Phoenix Suns 118-114. The ultimate rating was nearer than within the earlier match, the place the The nuggets have been blown by the Celtics 130-103 in Abu Dhabi.
One in all Malone’s greatest complaints after the loss to the Suns was the Nuggets’ poor perimeter protection.
“We dominated the glass, we dominated the paint, however we bought our ass kicked on threes,” Malone mentioned. “Giving up 37 factors in that third quarter was embarrassing. We’ve to be higher.
The Suns shot 23 of fifty from three-point vary. Not solely did the Nuggets defend poorly from three, however additionally they shot simply 12 of 36 from behind the arc. Sadly, the Suns virtually doubled the Nuggets by scoring three factors.
The Nuggets look drained initially of the preseason
It is solely preseason, however there’s a little concern relating to the Nuggets’ power ranges. Sometimes in the course of the preseason, gamers really feel refreshed and excited to return to motion after spending the offseason resting and rehabilitating. Based mostly on the three video games the Nuggets have performed, they appear to be a step or two behind their opponents and virtually appear gassed.
“I do not assume we’re in nice situation proper now, and that is one thing we talked about as coaches in the course of the recreation,” Malone mentioned. “It seems to be like some guys are simply out of breath and a bit drained. In order that’s one thing we will attempt to enhance.
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Malone tried to problem his starters, enjoying them nearly all of the third quarter towards the Suns.
“[I] tried to push their limits a bit bit,” Malone mentioned. “It was in all probability a bit powerful for a few of these guys. After which in apply, I feel we will go up and down extra. …The league has grow to be so tender; everyone seems to be afraid of conditioning and working. We have to.
To defend the Nuggets, nevertheless, the group not too long ago returned from an abroad journey to Abu Dhabi. The long-haul journey would possibly nonetheless be taking a toll on their our bodies, and they’re nonetheless engaged on getting their our bodies again to regular.
THE The Nuggets will look to get again within the win column as they face the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at dwelling on Tuesday.
