Denver Nuggets Pregame: San Antonio Spurs

Kenneth Faried and Jordan Hamilton will make their debuts as starters for the first time against the San Antonio Spurs (2-1). The Denver Nuggets (0-2) will host the Spurs in their second home game of the season on Nov. 5. Starting at 0-2, coach Brian Shaw needed some changes to his Nuggets squad. Faried, last years starting power forward, has averaged 8 Pts and 8 Reb in 19.5 minutes through two games. Last year, the Manimal started 80 games and consistently put up 11.5 Pts and 9.2 Reb in 28.1 min. New Nuggets PF JJ Hickson earned the starting spot after a solid preseason. Faried has visibly struggled coming off the bench, and expressed his displeasure with his new role to the media. Faried cont’d… “I can’t really take much blame for that because I’m not starting. Some of the starters have to step up.” #Nuggets — Raj Sharan (@Raj_Sharan) November 2, 2013 Faried will get to put his game where his mouth is against the Spurs. Few could have predicted Hamilton would start–he’s played zero minutes so far this season. Shaw has given Hamilton an opportunity to start at small forward in place of Anthony Randolph. This move is probably attempting to address the issue of energy on the court early in games. Hamilton has the ability to get buckets. However, he also has been known to not score at all if he’s cold. The Nuggets need changes, and hope to find solutions to their issues starting with their game againgst the Spurs. Other Notes: -The Nuggets beat the Spurs 98-94 in the preseason. However, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili didn’t play. -Nate Robinson led the Nuggets with 26 Pts off the bench against the Portland Trailblazers on Nov. 1. Robinson recorded 16 Pts in the fourth quarter. He brought the Trailblazers lead down from 26-points to seven in the final quarter. -Coach Shaw has stuck to an 11-man rotation through two games. He has said that he plans to play the same number of players. -JaVale McGee has played in short stints, much like how George Karl used him last year, so far in regular season. Shaw says he plans to continue using McGee in five to seven minute bursts.  Jordan Morey will have a post-game analysis following the game at Hardwood Gold Rush. Add Jordan Morey your network on Google+ or follow him on twitter@JordanAMorey photo by: RMTip21 The post Denver Nuggets Pregame: San Antonio Spurs appeared first on Hardwood Gold Rush.