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Denver Nuggets: Is Kenneth Faried Calling A Quick Turnaround Crazy?

By Kevin C Keller

Mar 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) reacts during double overtime of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pelicans 118-111 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) reacts during double overtime of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pelicans 118-111 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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When asked about the Denver Nuggets turning things around next season, their star forward Kenneth Faried told the Denver Post, “I think it’s an easy fix just as far as how things went from a positive standpoint.”

Now, Faried’s statement might already be a bit bold for a team that’s 28-46 with eight games remaining. Yes, it does sound a little confident for a squad that 20.5 games behind Portland for first place in the division.

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Not to mention, Faried’s statement seems downright crazy after watching the Nuggets fail to hit the side of a barn all night in their 98-84 loss against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

But is it really that crazy to think the Nuggets have a shot at turning it around this offseason?

Everyone’s answer to that question will depend on if they believe the Nuggets are two or three “smaller moves” away from making a run at the playoffs in the Western Conference, OR rather, if they believe the Nuggets are so far away the only answer is to absolutely blow the roster up and start from scratch.

To be fair, Faried warned us before reporting the Nuggets are an “easy fix.”

Mar 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) battles Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) for position during the second half at Pepsi Center. The 76ers won 99-85. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) battles Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) for position during the second half at Pepsi Center. The 76ers won 99-85. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

“I’m a very positive person,” Faried, who is averaging 12 points and 8.7 rebounds a game this season, said. “I always believe that we can bounce back and we will bounce back. And my teammates do, too.”

Being positive has helped the forward since Brian Shaw got dismissed as head coach. Since Melvin Hunt started at the beginning of March, Faried is averaging 15.1 points and 9.6 rebounds since Brian Shaw’s dismissal. Plus, Faried saying the Nuggets aren’t that far from being good again is exactly what he is supposed to say. No one is going to be happy if he says, “we’re screwed!”

However, being positive and keeping his PR staff sane isn’t the only motivation Faried has backing his claim.

The Nuggets still have a point guard in Ty Lawson who averaging the third most assists per game this season (9.6). Wilson Chandler is averaging 13.5 points and 6 boards a game, and he’s having his best (and healthiest season) since coming to Denver in 2010-11. Will Barton is proving he can be a great asset off the bench. Danilo Gallinari is proving that you can come back from knee surgery by showing flashes of his old self since the All-Star break, and he even managed to post a career high 40 points on March 22 against Orlando.

Not to mention star rookie Jusuf Nurkic will be entering his second NBA season and the phenom will be fresh off working out all summer with Denver Nuggets coaches and long time trainer Steve Hess!

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    • The Nuggets are going to have an interesting offseason no matter which direction they end up going next year.

    The first thing on their plate is a (another) major coaching decision, and while the fans are pulling for Melvin Hunt (who received  728 out of 924 votes in a fan poll with NINE candidates!!) — there are credible reports that Nuggets brass is looking for a big name coach, no matter what.

    Either way we look at it, the Nuggets are officially in a playoff drought. Missing them this year makes it two straight years since the Nuggets have played more than 82 games. Sometimes the Nuggets have been so bad this season, they made it feel like that last playoff season, when they won a franchise record 57 games, was five years ago – not two.

    But Faried’s not crazy, this should be the bottom for the Denver Nuggets. Yes, making the playoffs would be quite a stretch next season, but there is way too much talent on this Nuggets team for them to finish with a record that wouldn’t even be good enough to be in the Eastern Conference playoffs. It’s time to get better from here, and Faried’s positivity is undoubtedly a good first step.

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