Nov 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) with the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
9th: Denver Nuggets (18 points)
By Jose Salviati
Record: 6-8
Record last week: 1-3
Quick, name the Nuggets leading scorer. Don’t ask Siri or Google – just take your best guess. Did you guess Danilo Gallinari? Nope? Me either. The Nuggets seem to be in the process of finding an identity at this point. That process, as the Clippers are discovering, takes time. In addition to Gallinari, who is contributing 18.1 points per game, the Manimal, Kenneth Faried, still calls Denver home and promising rookie Emmanuel Mudiay is playing a solid point guard. They have the pieces, but they do not yet seem to be a team.
This week saw the Nuggets beat the surprisingly bad Pelicans then lose against the Spurs, Phoenix Suns and Warriors. Losses against the Spurs and Warriors are understandable and almost expected, but a loss to the Suns at home is neither understandable nor should it be expected. The transformation from good individual players to a team continues for the Nuggets. The transformation to Mudiay as the alpha dog and leader of the team is still a few years away.
Next: Los Angeles Clippers