Yesterday was a Great Day
Yesterday being a fan of the Nuggets and Avs was and is a treat. We will start with the team that actually proved that they are threat in their league…
Colorado Avalanche (21–8–3) 45 pts
The Avs are an absolute wagon since Cale Makar was cleared to join the lineup. The Avs are 8–2 in their last 10 games with both losses to the Dirt Dogs. Cale came back in the middle of this stretch, and the score difference in games is insane. The kid literally transforms both sides of the game for the team. 3 games of 5–1 dubs, one 6–0 win and a loss 5–4 in a Shootout. All games Cale has played in since being back, the Avs have secured a point.
https://twitter.com/BSDenverJacob/status/1375273672617811968?s=20
Now the Avs sit tied with Vegas atop the Honda West division. This whole division is loaded and the fact the Avs are just tossing these teams aside is comical. I was told by many that the Wild are a threat…
Does this look like a threat when the squad is fully healthy? You get pumped 5–1 the first game, and then come out and lose 6- rip?!? Personally didn’t think that would happen, but the Wild lost Matt Dumba in the middle of game one and they looked completely different when he left with an injury. And call me a hypocrite but if one man completely changes the look of your team, that is a dangerous life to live.
Cale is to the Avs, as Dumba is to the Wild. I just think the Avs are a more complete team than all but maybe Tampa and Vegas. Vegas lives and dies by the way that Fleury plays. Very similar to the Avs and Gru. Grubauer is absolutely the key to the Cup. When he is on, it is impossible to deny the ceiling of this team.
If the Avs beat the Knights tomorrow by 3 goals, the Avs will be tied with the Lightning for the best goal differential in the league at +42. I know this stat can be misleading, but it also confirms what we know about the Avalanche. When healthy, this team is offensively dynamic to put up a large amount of goals in a short amount of time. And defensively… I mean it is a gauntlet for teams trying to get anywhere in the O zone, and another wall is waiting at the doorstep in Gru.
Denver Nuggets (26–18) 5th in the West
I mean this is exactly what I was hoping would happen. The Nuggets gave up Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and a 2025 1st round protected pick for Air Gordon. What a treat. The Nuggets have 2 genuine stars, a rising star, and the MVP in their starting 5. This is who I want to start and see come off the bench for the Nuggs post trade.
PG — Jamal / Facu / Dozier
SG — Monte / Barton / Dozier
SF — MPJ / Dozier / Zeke
PF — Gordon / Milsap / JaMychal Green
C — Joker / JaVale / Cancar
This lineup gives you so much flexibility in the second unit. You won’t lose the shots the second unit puts up with Will Barton jacking, Facu facilitating, Dozier can play small ball 3 or Zeke, and I mean if Malone’s rotations don’t suck ass, you can literally have one of Jamal / Gordon / Joker on the floor with a second unit and almost lose nothing. The Nuggets depth is only going to pay divedend’s in the Playoffs. Foul trouble, rona, injuries, doesn’t matter the Nuggets absolutely got better during the trade deadline.
I will not give any predictions or anything until I watch how the team plays together for a week or two. It will be interesting to see how Malone fits Gordon into the lineup to either toss him in the fire or ease him into the situation. Malone likes chemistry so this will be uncomfortable losing Gary (longest tenured Nugget who was on the team) and RJ who has shown a lot of promise.
I think there will be kinks at the beginning of this new lineup but if anyone can find open looks for a loaded lineup, it’s the Joker. The Joker can get anyone and everyone involved. I am just excited to watch. And if you aren’t, you aren’t a fan.
