November 28th 2024.
In the world of football, the "Middle Eight" principle is well-known as a game management strategy used by coaches. But for Michael Malone and the Denver Nuggets, they have their own version of this concept in basketball. However, there is a crucial difference between the two. While in football, the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half are crucial, in basketball, it's the earlier minutes of the game that make all the difference.
Malone and his team have been struggling with a puzzling pattern of playing from behind. In an interview before their game against the Utah Jazz, Malone shared his observation that the Nuggets have only won the crucial first eight minutes of the game once in their first 16 games this season. And that was only against Toronto, at home. In the rest of their games, this eight-minute stretch, which often coincides with the absence of their key player Nikola Jokic, has been their downfall. It's during this time that their game seems to fall apart, despite starting off well.
This trend is not just a minor issue, as the Nuggets rank second in the NBA for second-half net rating, but a dismal 29th in first-half net rating. This significant difference is quite baffling, and the only explanation seems to be those crucial eight minutes. Malone's point is spot on, even though he may not have all the details exactly right. The Nuggets have been consistently in the game by the four-minute mark of the first quarter, with the exception of trailing by a maximum of five points. They have even led by as much as 10 points. However, in the next eight minutes, they have been outscored 354-247 in their first 16 games, with an average deficit of 6.7 points.
Some nights have been worse than others, such as their recent game against the Knicks, where they were outscored 30-14 during the "middle eight." Even on the night that Malone referred to as their best performance during this stretch, against Toronto, they still lost 20-18 unless DeAndre Jordan's dunk at the 7:59 mark of the second quarter is counted. The only time the Nuggets have come out on top during this crucial time was when Jokic was out of the game. In their second game against Memphis, they managed to sneak out a 17-15 advantage.
Malone's substitution patterns often leave Jokic on the court for the entire first quarter, but he rests for half of the "middle eight." However, the damage is usually done during this time, especially when the Nuggets' bench players are on the floor. It seems that even with their three-time MVP in the lineup, they are not able to secure a strong finish to the first quarter. Malone was understandably frustrated with his team's defensive effort in their loss to the Knicks, but he was more measured in his assessment of their season so far. He acknowledged that injuries have impacted their game management during those crucial eight minutes. The Nuggets are still waiting for Aaron Gordon's return, and in the meantime, they have to make do with some unusual lineups.
After 16 games, Malone and his team are still trying to figure things out. He hopes that they can improve their consistency and play closer to 48 minutes instead of experiencing severe peaks and valleys in their performances. As Malone puts it, the Nuggets prefer "gentle, rolling hills," but they have been faced with some intense ups and downs. The team is still a work in progress, and with injuries and other challenges, they are still trying to find their rhythm. But with their determination and resilience, they are confident that they can overcome these obstacles and reach their full potential.
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