Denver Stiffs: For Denver Nuggets Fans

The playoffs are officially here! In this episode, I am joined by one of the inspirations for starting the Nuggets Numbers podcast. Jacob Goldstein, contributor to BBall Index and Nylon Calculus and creator of the Player Impact Plus-Minus (PIPM) advanced metric, drops by to discuss a range of topics. First, we delve into the world of analytics, discussing what makes PIPM valuable and identifying the best metrics to use when evaluating players and teams. Then, we discuss the statistical profile for the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs, two interesting teams with a lot of depth that operate in different ways. Finally, we evaluate the head-to-head matchups and pick the series winner. Enjoy! 4:00 - The value of Advanced Metrics, including Jacob's picks for the best NBA metrics available today 14:30 - Denver Nuggets statistical profile and questions  19:20 - San Antonio Spurs statistical profile and questions  31:00 - Head-to-Head matchups and series predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

The Nuggets stole a six-game winning streak in a very unimpressive manner, and sure enough, the cracks are starting to show having gone 2-4 since.  Their shooting has been off, several players aren't playing up to their reputations and the defense has been inconsistent. What can we expect of the Nuggets going forward? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the playoffs right around the corner, the Denver Nuggets are rounding into the form they will take into the first playoff series for the majority of players on the roster. That inexperience has led to concern from many about Denver's chances of advancing in the postseason. To break it all down, I invited on Adam Mares, the leader of Denver Stiffs and host of Locked On Nuggets, to discuss the majority of players in the Nuggets rotation. The conversation is lengthy and gets into the strategy behind a playoff series and how the Nuggets are likely to respond. Enjoy! 2:00 - Guess the Nugget 5:00 - Who can the Nuggets trust at guard/wing spots 19:20 - Paul Millsap's importance this season and going forward 31:30 - The REST of the regular season 37:20 - Nikola Jokic and the playoff perspective Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Road TripMore surprising: win over Boston Celtics or getting blown out by Indiana Pacers?Are you happy with 3-1 or disappointed they didn’t sweep?Did they do enough to stay in the hunt for the 1 seed? Upcoming WeekDoes the Detroit Pistons game scare you at allCan the Denver Nuggets pull off a win against the Houston Rockets?Favorite match up in the NBA playoffs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Undefeated homestandThoughts on Jokic’s ejectionDoes surviving against Dallas and Indiana worry you or just happy to get the win?How crucial was it to go undefeated on this homestand? Out on the roadResponding to commentary on Jokic’s ejectionWhen will we consider the Nuggets championship contenders?Need to back it up with wins at Washington and at New York Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Nuggets Numbers, part of the Denver Stiffs Podcast Network. In a solo episode, I wanted to delve into the positivity of the four game winning streak over the last week. There were some excellent performances from each player in the rotation, and Denver was able to win these games in different ways each time. Next, Denver's second most impactful player after the All-Star break has clearly been Paul Millsap. With his defensive versatility, efficient scoring, and rebounding numbers, Millsap is looking like the exact player Denver needs next to Nikola Jokic if they are to make a playoff run. Finally, I broke down what each playoff seed means for the Nuggets. Starting from the least likely in earning the 1st seed, and finishing on the nightmare scenario of dropping to the 4th seed. All options are still in play. 3:30 - Details on the four game winning streak 14:15 - Paul Millsap breakdown 22:05 - What the playoff seeding means for Denver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice

Playoff rotations are locked in. The Nuggets are facing must-win games with the Rockets hot on their tail. The Warriors still look vulnerable dropping 4 out of 5.  There's a long distance the Nuggets could fall if they don't hold it together over their last 16 games, but there's a real shot at #1 if they do. 0:38 - We dedicate the episode to (trying to) pronounce Nikola Jokic's name correctly.  The recent emphasis on pronouncing his first name correctly has made people forget that EVERYONE (not of the former Yugoslavia) is pronouncing his last name incorrectly. 3:24 - THE THEME: Down to Business.  Malone has stopped the experiments and, essentially, ended the regular season ball.  Warp "playoffs", engage! 6:35 - BUY OR SELL: Resting Jokic Gary Harris getting his mojo back Barton fitting in with the starters Sitting IT/Lyles/Juanch41:00ish - A NUGGETS HAIKU 41:45ish - OVER/UNDER:  19 pts/g for Murray by the end of the season 9 wins to close out the year 1 minute of game time  for MPJ .9 fan altercations for We

 Lakers Win How far away is the Lakers core from the Nuggets core?When do you expect LA to be a threat in the playoffs? Loss to the Warriors How many games would the Nuggets win in a series against Golden State?What seeding/final record do the Nuggets need for the best playoff run? Upcoming homestandHow Important is getting a win against Minnesota?Which of the Mavericks, Timberwolves and Pacers game scares you the Most?How long can Denver afford to wait on Isaiah ThomasWhat will their record be on the homestand? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Athletic's Nick Kosmider joins Brendan Vogt in the latest episode of FCP. The guys discuss the co-existence of bloggers and journalists on the same beat, the art of long-form storytelling, and the challenges of writing as someone who is their own biggest critic. Fun conversation with perhaps the best storyteller in town.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a three game losing streak, the Denver Nuggets won a much needed game on national television against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The story was LeBron passing Michael Jordan on the all-time points scored list, but Denver's starting lineup absolutely torched Los Angeles. In this episode, Ryan talks about the Isaiah Thomas inclusion in the bench unit thus far, how his presence has impacted Denver's offense, defense, and other teammates, including Monte Morris and Malik Beasley. Then, Ryan answers some questions on Thomas and the bench, Jokic vs Plumlee post up numbers, and Trey Lyles coming back to the rotation. Enjoy! 1:00 - Isaiah Thomas statistical overview 5:00 - Mailbag Questions 19:45 - Ranking Playoff Matchups Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Two Game Home Losing StreakWhich is the better blueprint to beat Denver, the way Utah won or the way New Orleans won?Is Isaiah Thomas going to find his place in this rotation?How can the Nuggets overcome their lack of a backup PF? On the RoadWhat happened in San Antonio?Are the Lakers playoff hopes done?Is this a statement game against the Warriors? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jeremy and Nick discuss threats from within and without including the Thunder, Rockets, Warriors, and their own consistency. We also bask in the glorious demise of the Lakers, which some people did see coming at the start of the year. 8:54: The Theme (and a little Rage Against the Machine) 22:55: Fill in the Blank 38:05: A little back patting 40:30: Ode to the Lakers 41:00: Buy/Sell -- Do the Nuggets have a path to a championship? Will a better player than Jokic win the MVP? The Dig is a bimonthly podcast that looks at one theme from the previous two weeks' games. It is hosted by Nick Hertzog and Jeremy Poley, the Social Media Manager for Denver Stiffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Coming back from breakNikola’s ASBA bit of a clunky start but effective against Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles ClippersThoughts on Isaiah Thomas and his impact The big game tonightNot a must win for the Denver NuggetsGood measuring stick gameBeating the Oklahoma City Thunder for the division title should be the goal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and I spoke over the phone this week in the latest conversation for Full Court Press, just the second time we’ve communicated without our thumbs. We spoke about Mike’s love of writing, his late introduction to the game, and the challenges of trying to bridge the geographical gap as a Nuggets writer in Lakerland.  No one kinder, no one more creative on our staff. This was a fun one.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took long enough, but I finally had on Brendan Vogt, fellow Denver Stiffs writer and host of Full Court Press, to talk Nuggets Numbers. We discussed a variety of topics, starting with Guess the Nugget on Jamal Murray. We talked about Murray's segmented season, his top end production, and what he can be for the Nuggets in a playoff series. We then delved into Brendan's time as a media member, from his experiences credentialed at Pepsi Center to his discussions on his latest episode of Full Court Press. Finally, we discussed the Nuggets final 25 games of the regular season, from what they need to do to hold onto the 2 seed to the closing lineup on the floor with the season on the line. 2:20 - Guess the Nugget 3:15 - Jamal Murray 14:00 - Brendan on media landscape and Full Court Press 31:00 - The final 25 games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two of the Nuggets' reserves are putting up historical numbers.  Isaiah Thomas looked good in his debut and has a chance to recapture his magic.  Combine this with a fragile and inconsistent starting lineup and is it time to shake things up with the starters? To be honest, we didn't even make it through half of our show material because the depth of conflict here is so deep.  There's plenty to consider here, so jump on in. 4:38 - THE THEME: Musical Chairs.  There's a couple of interesting lineups for the Nuggets that are making us ask some questions. 8:50 - BUY OR SELL: Nuggets being the second best team in the West The Nuggets being the most disrespected #2 of all time A 3-guard lineup Barton as the starting SF 35:30 - A NUGGETS HAIKU 35:55 - PREDICTIONS: Where will the Nuggets finish in the West? What will the Nuggets playoff starting 5 be? Will they win a first-round series 54:30 - BAD TAKE/GOOD TAKE: Colin Cowherd ranks Lakers' roster talent ahead of Nuggets' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph

 The losing streakKey thing you can point to for the streak?Blip on the radar or genuine concern? Trade DeadlineHappy the Nuggets stood pat?One deal that surprised you? ASB on the horizonWin against MiamiPreviewing SacramentoAll Star break rant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spoke on the phone with the filmmakers behind the short documentary, Let ‘Em Know You’re There, to discuss the unlikely appearance of one Nikola Jokic in their story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the NBA Trade Deadline fast approaches, Ryan had Gordon Gross on the podcast to spend time discussing the Denver Nuggets and the holes in the roster going forward. They play Guess the Nugget, discuss the Gary Harris trade rumor, Denver's defense, and making moves at the trade deadline (or in the summer). While the roster is mostly set in stone, both Ryan and Gordon ruminate on ways to improve the defense after some alarming trends have developed. 3:30 - Guess the Nugget 7:00 - Gary Harris trade rumor 15:50 - Nuggets defensive woes 30:00 - Trade Deadline discussions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 The winning streakDid the Nuggets finally figure out the Houston Rockets?How gutsy was the win over the TWolves? On the RoadPistons bring them back to earthWhat will be the Nuggets record on this road trip Trade deadline Will Anthony Davis get traded?Will the Nuggets do anything? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices