BLOGS

Coach Karl’s Corner: Three keys to the Nuggets upcoming road trip

Jan 22, 2021, 6:25 AM | Updated: 8:40 am

The Nuggets begin an important five-game road trip on Friday night with back-to-back games against the Suns. Then, they’re off to play at Dallas, Miami and San Antonio. The trip to Florida, in between games in Texas, is a strange scheduling decision in a strange scheduling year.

The Nuggets should focus on three priorities during this road swing:

***

Consistency

The only consistent performer the Nuggets are getting these days is Nikola Jokic. When I coached, I was looking for at least two high level performances per game and preferably three. The Nuggets are getting two right now, at best, depending how Jamal Murray shows up.

***

Defense

The Nuggets need to continue showing improvement on the defensive end of the court. They need to play better, overall fundamental defense, keeping transition activity under control, keeping guys out of the paint, etc. The front office hurt Denver’s chances this season of being a top-five defensive team, but they should at least be in the top half of the league.

***

Three Point Shooting

The Nuggets are the second best three-point shooting team this year, so far, by percentage in away games at 42%. They need to continue to spread the floor and shoot high percentage three balls.

***

Overall, the Nuggets need to play with urgency on this trip and aim to win at least three of these games. It will be tough, but if they don’t step up their level of play soon, they will put themselves at risk of missing a top-four seed in the playoffs. And maybe worse.

Blogs

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 28: Kris Bryant #23 of the Colorado Rockies makes a catch for an out again...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies get destroyed in embarrassing fashion on Opening Day

Baseball is a long season but this year in Denver it's going to be extra long as evidenced by the Colorado Rockies stinker on Opening Day

1 hour ago

DU hockey...

Will Petersen

DU hockey moving on in NCAA Tournament after dramatic 2OT win

DU hockey forward Tristan Broz played hero, finding the back of the net on a slick wrist-shot with 7:33 to go in the second overtime session

6 hours ago

Drake Maye Broncos QB...

Andrew Mason

Broncos have George Paton, QB coach at Drake Maye Pro Day

QB prospect Drake Maye had his Pro Day workout on March 28, and Broncos GM George Paton was among those on hand.

9 hours ago

Bud Black...

Will Petersen

Bud Black says Rockies players aware no one gives them a chance

"They don't say much publicly, but internally the guys are not liking what they're hearing," Bud Black said on 104.3 The Fan on Thursday

11 hours ago

Elehuris Montero high fives Colorado Rockies teammate Brendan Rodgers...

Jake Shapiro and Andrew Mason

Rockies reveal Opening Day roster for 2024 season

The Colorado Rockies are ready for 2024 Opening Day, revealing their roster ahead of Thursday's season opener in Phoenix.

12 hours ago

Joe Sakic Stanley Cup documentary...

Will Petersen

The trailer for the new Joe Sakic documentary looks fascinating

The documentary "Saving Sakic" is about how the Avs found the cash to keep Joe after the Rangers signed him to a huge offer sheet

12 hours ago

Coach Karl’s Corner: Three keys to the Nuggets upcoming road trip