Sharing the Wealth: A Breakdown of Nuggets Assists

Source: Roundball Mining Company by Matt

One of the biggest talking points around the Nuggets this season was how deep they were.

That resulted in a lot of different players scoring points for Denver and naturally with that plenty of assists, as the Nuggets finished third in the league at 24.4 assists per game, just .1 worse than second place Atlanta and less than a full assist behind top ranked San Antonio.

Most of those assists came from three players; Ty Lawson, Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala averaged 6.9, 5.9 and 5.4 assists per game respectively.

I decided to delve a little deeper into those assist numbers using the awesome assist charts at the great new site hotshotcharts.com.

Before I start throwing the charts at you, here is a quick

RMC is looking for writers

Source: Roundball Mining Company by Kalen

It’s been a long time coming for Roundball Mining Company. Over the years since its inception several new faces (err… names) have popped up in our writers catalog. And now, we’re looking to add a few more. If writing for RMC is something you’ve always wanted to do, please send a short e-mail to our home address (roundballminingco@gmail.com) with samples of your previous work as well as some information about yourself and a brief statement as to why you’d be a good candidate for us to hire. Thanks.

Trio of critical questions await Masai Ujiri, Nuggets

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Colin Neilson

It's a foregone conclusion that the Nuggets must retain Masai Ujiri as GM. If they don't, all other questions about the Nuggets potential moves are moot.

With the assumption that Ujiri gets a new contract from the Kroenkes, there are three big questions waiting for him...

1. Will Andre Iguodala opt out?

Andre Iguodala is currently signed through the 2013-2014 season with a player option on a potential $16,154,750 salary. There's no question that Iguodala provided a massive upgrade to the perennially

Trio of critical questions await Masai Ujiri & Nuggets

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Colin Neilson

It's a foregone conclusion that the Nuggets must retain Masai Ujiri as GM. If they don't, all other questions about the Nuggets potential moves are moot.

With the assumption that Ujiri gets a new contract from the Kroenkes, there are three big questions waiting for him...

1. Will Andre Iguodala opt out?

Andre Iguodala is currently signed through the 2013-2014 season with a player option on a potential $16,154,750 salary. There's no question that Iguodala provided a massive upgrade to the perennially

Miller getting ready

Source: Yardbarker

Incoming linebacker DeAndre Miller is getting prepared to head to Tucson in just a few weeks. Read on to find out what he is doing to prepare, which team he looks forward to playing the most, and more.

Sacramento Kings Have Plenty of Options in 2013 NBA Draft (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | Some might argue the Sacramento Kings' run of good luck hit a bump at the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday, May 21.

JaVale McGee Deals with Moronic Questions Gracefully

Source: Yardbarker

Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. Denver Nuggets star JaVale McGee – Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe

The Toronto Raptors move on with former GM Bryan Colangelo still with the team, kind of (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

It’s not the worst thing in the world that Bryan Colangelo is staying with the Toronto Raptors in a nebulous, barely-specified role. It’s not the weirdest thing in the world, either, or even the weirdest decision that Raptors-owning Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has ever made. It is suitably strange, though, to see Colangelo both promoted and being told to mind his manners when it comes to future personnel moves by his new boss, MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke. The Toronto Raptors’ general manager, Leiweke told reporters on Tuesday, will be the one making the final basketball-related decisions, and “he’s going to have to live with that,” along with living and working with the new Toronto Raptors GM. A GM that has yet to be named, by the way. Good thing Colangelo already traded away his 2013 lottery pick.

Golden State Warriors on the Rise (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY| When the dust settles on the NBA postseason and the front offices and fan bases of thirty teams take stock of the year that was, twenty-nine of them will be failures. Only one team will hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy; twenty-nine will not. That is the simple truth. Within those teams that fail, however, there is an enormous disparity in what their failure means. For the Golden State Warriors, this year's failure felt like a small taste of success.

Watch all of Tony Parker’s career-high 18 assists in Spurs’ Game 2 win over Grizzlies (Video) (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

About four months ago, some NBA people were seriously discussing whether or not Tony Parker could make a legitimate claim to being the league's Most Valuable Player this season. That discussion was mostly bunk , on account of LeBron James existing, but it was an important step up in recognition for the evolution of the San Antonio Spurs point guard's game over the past few years — the vision, pace and timing he's added to his speed and quickness, the subtle in-and-out moves and slight feints he's mastered to keep even first-rate defenders off-balance, the feel he's developed for when to hunt his own offense and when to facilitate for others to make sure San Antonio's offensive machine is in prime working order. After skewing a bit

Remembering That George Karl Was A Major Jerk

Source: Yardbarker

On Monday, Ed wrote a nostalgic piece on Shawn Kemp and the Seattle Supersonics taking on Charles Barkley and Phoenix Suns 20 years ago in a Western Conference Finals for the ages. As I’m sure you all know, those 1993 Sonics were coached by none other than current Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl. After [...]The post Remembering That George Karl Was A Major Jerk appeared first on The Sports Fan Journal.

Raptors Willing To Offer Masai Ujiri $2M Per Season

Source: Yardbarker

Masai Ujiri has been identified as the Toronto Raptors' top target to replace Bryan Colangelo as general manager. The Raptors could offer Ujiri a salary in excess of $2 million to leave the Denver Nuggets. Ujiri is reportedly earning approximately $500,000 in the final season of his contract with the Nuggets. The Nuggets, however, are confident that they will be able to retain Ujiri.

NBA Mock Draft: Version 3 (Rotoworld)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Version 3 of our NBA Mock Draft is here. The Cavaliers snuck into the No. 1 spot, the Magic get No. 2 and the Wizards moved up to No. 3.

Podcast: Les Shapiro talks Ujiri and top 5 favorite sports movies

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Jeffrey Morton

The Colorado Sports Guys had the distinct pleasure of having Denver sports veteran Les Shapiro, of the Les and Tom Nalen Show on 102.3 ESPN Denver, join us in the Colorado Sports Guys studio (high above the streets of beautiful Denver Colorado, don't ya know) for a whacky and zany podcast filled with much laughter and sarcasm.

In the Podcast we discuss Nuggets Vic President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri's contract situation with the Denver Nuggets. We discuss how the people at Kroenke Sports Enterprises need to end their tradition of underpaying their executives and pony up

Raptors eyeing Ujiri for GM vacancy?

Source: Roundball Mining Company by Kalen

As was first reported by Yahoo!Sports.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Toronto Raptors are targeting Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri for their vacant GM position after having dismissed Bryan Colangelo earlier this week. According to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein, the Raptors are more than willing to make Ujiri one of the top paid executives in the league at over $2 million per year. Stein also claims Denver’s front office is confident in its ability to re-sign Ujiri to a new deal.

NBA Roundup: Del Negro out as Clippers coach (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers dismissed coach Vinny Del Negro on Tuesday after the team's first-round exit in the playoffs, according to multiple reports.

Denver Nuggets Player Review: Kenneth Faried

Source: NBA.com

After establishing himself as one of the top rebounders and hustle players as a rookie in 2011-12, Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried raised his game in his first season as a full-time starter.

Raptors' Colangelo sheds GM title (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Bryan Colangelo still works for the Toronto Raptors, but is no longer the team's general manager.

Conference finalists prove anything is possible in the NBA

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Andrew Feinstein

We've written ad nauseum since the dawn of Denver Stiffs about the two basic "have to's" to win an NBA Championship in the modern NBA.

First, you "have to" have at least two - if not three - Hall of Fame players on your roster.

And, secondly, you "have to" be located in one of the NBA's top-10 markets based on metropolitan area, because that's where the modern NBA players want to be.

If you have both things going for you - as virtually every NBA Champion has had since 1980, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Boston (right on the cusp as

NBA roundup: Anthony to have injured shoulder examined (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will have his sore left shoulder examined by team doctors, the New York Daily News reported Monday.

Five Big Questions for the Sacramento Kings (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | Against what once seemed like impossible odds, the city of Sacramento has somehow managed to retain its beloved Kings.

J.R. Smith wants to retire as a New York Knick, is maybe not built for such a thing (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Pending free agent J.R. Smith has been an enigma since entering the NBA in 2005. On the basis of pure talent, he should be one of the top wing producers in the league, and he often looks like exactly that. Yet Smith has never managed to put together a consistent string of performances to prove himself worthy of making him the cornerstone of a franchise. He got closest this season with the New York Knicks, earning Sixth Man of the Year honors and receiving standard-issue statements from media and team officials regarding his improved maturity. In true J.R. fashion, he followed that career peak with a sort of greatest hits compilation of his worst tendencies, to the point where many Knicks fans begged for head coach Mike Woodson to bench a player who only a few weeks before seemed essential to fulfilling their postseason aspirations. Nevertheless, Smith has the chance to parlay his award-winning season into a significant deal this summer. Despite the troubles this postseason, J.R. wants to stay with the Knicks for as long as he can. From Peter Botte for the New York Daily News (via SLAM ):

The Golden State Warriors? Gone till November (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

With every season that ends, for the playoff teams at least, we felt it right to take a look ahead. TNT already has the rights to "Gone Fishin'," and because we're sure that someone, somewhere, still likes that Wyclef song, we're going with "Gone Till November." And, yes, we know the season starts in October. Today? The Golden State Warriors. In spite of the fun – the team turned out to be one of the NBA’s more entertaining watches this season – the Golden State Warriors’ worries ended up right where things started last summer. Yes, the team made the playoffs; hitting the postseason for just the second time since going out in the first round in 1994, but Golden State’s health is still the team’s biggest obstacle. The Warriors will only go as far as Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut’s ankles will take them.

Which teams does Kevin Garnett put over the top? Breaking down potential KG trades

Source: Yardbarker

Today is Kevin Garnett's birthday. I have known KG's birthday for as long as I can remember, because I share the same one. When I was a kid I can remember looking up which famous people shared the same birthday as me, and seeing KG's name. I was probably 10 or 11 at the time, and I can remember wishing that Garnett would someday join the Celtics, because it would be pretty cool to have the same birthday as one of the C's best players. About a decade later, it happened, and I was right, it is pretty cool. Not so much for the whole birthday factor, but because KG is the absolute perfect player to root for. An efficient offensive force that doubles as one of the best defenders the game has ever seen, and has not taken a play off in his 18 year career. Garnett was gifted with amazing skill, but it's his competitive spirit and passion for the game that have turned him into one of the greatest players of all time. Another remarkable part of KG's make-up is hi...

Marlowe Blog: Rooting for the Birdman

Source: NBA.com

With the Nuggets out of the playoffs, Altitude play-by-play announcer Chris Marlowe is rooting for former Denver forward Chris Andersen to win an NBA title.

Raptors moving Colangelo out of basketball operations (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Toronto Raptors are moving executive Bryan Colangelo out of basketball operations and into a corporate position with the team.

George Karl's offensive system rates out among NBA's best

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Nate Timmons

For those of you stuck behind a desk today, take some time to peruse some of these articles:

Shot Selection Round-Up: Part 2 - Ian Levy, Hickory-High

Again, shot selection is not the be-all, end-all variable for good offense but its impact is significant. In a hypothetical world where the 76ers' shooting percentages from each area of the floor where completely static and immune to changes from outside factors; bringing just their shot selection up to league average XPPS would raise their TS% from 50.9%, 29th in the league this season, to 51.7%, which would have ranked

Sunday Open Thread: Ty Lawson plays some 3-on-3 against Adrien Broner

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Nate Timmons

Well, we made it to Sunday. Are you watching the Grizzlies trying to get back into the game against the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals?

Let's make another poll on who you are rooting for now that the conference finals are set - vote below.

Here are some links that are totally worth checking out:

The draft coverage over at SLC Dunk was awesome as some of their crew was at the Combine in Chicago this past week. So many video interviews! Click here for

Denver Nuggets Exec Masai Ujiri reportedly targeted by the Toronto Raptors

Source: Nugg Love by Tyler Lashbrook

May 2, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets president

 

According to Adrian Wojnarowskiof Yahoo! Sports, Denver Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, the league’s Executive of the Year, is the top target of the Toronto Raptors. Bryan Colangelo hired Ujiri as the Raptors’ Director of Global Scouting and Ujiri eventually worked his way to the assistant general manager position in 2008 before being hired by the Nuggets in 2010.

Ujiri, who just recently was named the league’s

NBA owners, please don't treat Seattle like the NFL treats Los Angeles

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Jeffrey Morton

The Denver Nuggets and the Seattle Supersonics both entered their respective leagues at the same time, 1967. Denver in the ABA and Seattle in the NBA. This is the first in a surprisingly very long line of shared history between the two cities that continued all the way to 2008. Some of the most pivotal moments in Nuggets/NBA history occurred between the Nuggets and the Sonics in that time span starting in 1969.

The Denver Rockets of the ABA signed Spencer Haywood in 1969 after one year of college. Due to the NBA's "Rules of

NBA owners, please don't treat Seattle like the NFL treats LA

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Jeffrey Morton

The Denver Nuggets and the Seattle Supersonics both entered their respective league's at the same time, 1967. Denver in the ABA and Seattle in the NBA. This is the first in a surprisingly very long line of shared history between the two cities that continued all the way to 2008. Some of the most pivotal moments in Nuggets/NBA history occurred between the Nuggets and the Sonics in that time span starting in 1969.

The Denver Rockets of the ABA signed Spencer Haywood in 1969 after one year of college. Due to the NBA's "Rules of

Toronto Raptors to pursue Denver Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Nate Timmons

The Toronto Raptors have pillaged a few assets from the Denver Nuggets over the years; from Linas Kleiza to Gary Forbes and they were rumored to be interested in Wilson Chandler when the forward was returning to the NBA from his stint in China during the lockout. Now, the Raptors are after their former employee: Masai Ujiri, reports Adrian Wojnarowski.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment

Raptors interested in Nuggets GM Ujiri (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri is the top candidate to take over the Toronto Raptors front office, according to CBS Sports.

Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri being targeted by his old team, the Toronto Raptors?

Source: The Denver Post by Benjamin Hochman

Josh wants Masai back.

Masai wants to be back.

But here comes an R.A. Dickey-like knuckleball.

The Toronto Raptors have targeted Masai Ujiri as a top candidate for their general manager, this reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Ujiri was an assistant general manager there before joining Denver in the summer of 2010.

Ujiri is the reigning executive of the year in the NBA. And his contract is up. Nuggets president Josh Kroenke had told me and nuggets.com a couple weeks ago, “For the fans, they should know that Masai wants to be here, and I think he enjoys

Before considering Masai Ujiri, the Toronto Raptors reportedly consulted a head-hunting firm to find a GM (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

On Saturday morning Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Toronto Raptors were hot to trot for Denver Nuggets personnel chief Masai Ujiri , which is a smart trot to be hot for, considering that Ujiri once worked for the Raptors, and the reigning NBA Executive of the Year. Prior to that news, though, the team was leaning on stranger outfits to guide their search. The Toronto Raptors had been rumored to be hot on Phil Jackson’s trail , not as a head coach, but for a job running the team’s front office. They’re also trying to figure out the direction of the franchise after yet another year lost to the middling depths of the low lottery, while sussing out a payroll that currently is set to send them into luxury tax

Denver Nuggets Player Review: JaVale McGee

Source: NBA.com

Converting lobs from Andre Miller and protecting the rim defensively, Nuggets center JaVale McGee averaged 9.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.99 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game. His .575 field-goal percentage was a career-best and ranked third in the NBA.

Denver Nuggets Player Review: Andre Iguodala

Source: NBA.com

Guarding point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards, versatile swingman Andre Iguodala gave the Nuggets everything they hoped for as he anchored a defense that finished in second in steals and third in blocked shots in 2012-13.

A Link to the DenverPost.com Article on Ty Lawson tweeting desire to have Nuggets stay Andre Iguodala’s team

Source: Yardbarker

Here is A Link to the DenverPost.com Article on Ty Lawson tweeting desire to have Nuggets stay Andre Iguodala’s team DenverPost.com Article on Ty Lawson tweeting desire to have Nuggets stay Andre Iguodala’s team Link Article has been read 0 times

The Warriors could really use more David Lee

Source: Yardbarker

Come back in time with me to day one of the NBA postseason. The Golden State Warriors have just lost to the to the Denver Nuggets and David Lee has torn his hip flexor. I write Golden State off. Then, Game 2 happens.Point of emphasis: 0:25 to 0:47, three of Curry’s 13 assists. Did you see how open Harrison Barnes, Richard Jeffersonand Carl Landry were?! Denver was totally dissing them, man. I bet they don’t leave David Lee that open.Denver respects David Lee. They did not respect Landry…or Andrew Bogut…or Harrison Barnes, all of whom made the Nuggets pay throughout the series for over-helping on Curry. Golden State’s smaller names reached new heights, and Denver was unprepared to deal with them.We are now five games into Golden State’s series against the Spurs, and San Antonio is prepared. Unlike Denver, the Spurs have seen it all. They saw Bogut’s 14 point 21 rebound performance against the Nuggets. They’ve had Klay Thompson score 34 points on them and experienced 26 from Harrison B

End of Season Blues?

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Jeffrey Morton

I always go through this when the season for the Denver Nuggets ends. What to do? The first couple weeks is always the hardest part and most of the time it's alot like adjusting to all the other elements of life that you put off. You get so consumed by every detail coming out of Pepsi Center that you let other things slip you by.

I know I do. I work two other jobs in addition to writing for Denver Stiffs and other sites, as well as the weekly Colorado Sports Guys Podcast. It's amazing now that the Nuggets season is over, that couple hours during the day I devoted strictly to Nuggets news and info is left a bit empty. I think everyone, as fans, devotes that kind of

Denver Nuggets Player Review: JaVale McGee

Source: NBA.com

Converting lobs from Andre Miller and protecting the rim defensively, Nuggets center JaVale McGee averaged 9.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.99 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game. His .575 field-goal percentage was a career-best and ranked third in the NBA.

Denver Nuggets draft prospect profile: Reggie Bullock

Source: Nugg Love by Tyler Lashbrook

Feb 2, 2013; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard/forward Reggie Bullock (35) shoots in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Hokies 72-60 at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

School: University of North Carolina

Position: Small forward

Size: 6’7 (in shoes)

Wingspan: 6’8.75

Weight: 190

Season School Conf G MP PER TS% eFG% ORB% DRB% TRB% AST% STL% BLK% TOV% USG% Career North Carolina 100 2457 19.5 .568 .555 6.6 14.3 10.4 12.1 2.0 0.8 9.7 18.2

CJ McCollum on Nuggets radar, Ty Lawson training with boxer Adrien Broner

Source: Thoughts of a Wierdo by Nate Timmons

In actual basketball news, the Spurs put away the Golden State Warriors last night to advance to the Western Conference Finals; where the Memphis Grizzlies await. The Grizzlies and Spurs will kick off their series starting Sunday, May 19th, in San Antonio at 1:30 p.m. MT. The Miami Heat are waiting on either the Pacers or Knicks - I'm not sure either team

Ty Lawson Tweets His Desire For Andre Iguodala To Stay With Denver Nuggets

Source: Yardbarker

Yay for social media! Ty Lawson tweeted a desire, of sorts, for Andre Iguodala stay with the Denver Nuggets. Umm @andre better stay in Denver or I’m a have my ppl run up on him and handle that #str8likedat #yougotnochoice Iguodala is expected to opt out of a $16 million contract and pursue free agency; [...]The post Ty Lawson Tweets His Desire For Andre Iguodala To Stay With Denver Nuggets appeared first on The NBA Mistress.

Nuggets news from Day 1 at the NBA Draft Combine

Source: Roundball Mining Company by Kalen

For NBA Draft junkies like me, the annual Draft Combine is the commencement of a nonstop obsession for about a month each summer. Although the Combine doesn’t present the ideal opportunity for scouting, there are still an assortment of minor details revealed about teams, players and the intentions of both that can prove invaluable during pre-draft analysis. Here is what I learned regarding the Nuggets from the first day of the Combine.

Last year the Nuggets were rumored to be interested in moving up in the Draft. They were connected to Golden State and took a liking to Bradley Beal, who ended up going No. 3 to the Wizards. Later this year it was revealed the Nuggets were also intrigued by John Henson, who like Beal,

Spurs hold off Warriors, advance to West finals (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are back in the Western Conference finals.

Spurs 94, Warriors 82 (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Tony Parker rebounded from a 1-for-13 start to hit two critical 3-pointers in the final 3:33 Thursday night, and Kawhi Leonard added a third as the San Antonio Spurs broke open a close game late to beat the Golden State Warriors 94-82 and win the Western Conference semifinal series 4-2.

Denver Nuggets Player Review: Andre Iguodala

Source: NBA.com

Guarding point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards, versatile swingman Andre Iguodala gave the Nuggets everything they hoped for as he anchored a defense that finished in second in steals and third in blocked shots in 2012-13.

Kevin Durant “excited” for future of Reggie Jackson, former Mr. Colorado Basketball

Source: The Denver Post by Benjamin Hochman

If Russell Westrbrook had not been injured, the Thunder would have won the Western Conference, I believe (not that I’m going out on a limb here or anything). Alas, history was detoured — and the Thunder’s season is now over.

But the injury did provide an opportunity for Reggie Jackson, the Palmer High (Colorado Springs) graduate and 2008 winner of The Denver Post’s Mr. Colorado Basketball honors.

In the Thunder’s two postseason series, the point guard Jackson averaged 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists, while playing 33.5 minutes and averaging just 1.9 turnovers.

“I’m really, really proud of Reggie

Denver Nuggets Draft Predictions and Analysis (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | Denver Nuggets draft predictions are on the minds of many NBA fans after the season's disappointing end in the first round of the playoffs. Yet again, the Nuggets find themselves exiting earlier than expected, and yet again they find themselves wondering how they can retool their team to become more competitive. Look for them to be interested in the following prospects in the upcoming NBA draft: CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, Gorgui Dieng, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tim Hardaway Jr, or Jeff Withey.