Nuggets On A Roll
By Andrew Dill
Nov 25, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives against Dallas Mavericks guard Ricky Ledo (7) in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center. The Nuggets beat the Mavs 110-96. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Ty Lawson is for real, and he is putting up all-star type numbers; prior to Monday night’s game against Dallas, he was averaging 20.8 points per game, 8.5 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. In the game against Dallas on Monday, he scored 19 points with 11 assists, pulling down 3 rebounds in the Nuggets 110-96 win over the Mavericks. Denver is now 7-6 on the season after starting out the year 0-3.
Its easy to make the case that he is indeed having a breakout year so far. His stats have steadily increased over the past couple of seasons. Points wise he has just simply gotten better season to season. Take a look at Lawson’s stats since 2009:
09: 8.3 points, 3.1 assists, 1.9 rebounds in 65 games.
10: 11.7 points, 4.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds in 80 games.
11: 16.4 points, 6.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds in 61 games.
12: 16.7 points, 6.9 assists, 2.2 rebounds in 73 games.
13: 20.8 points, 8.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds in 12 games.
Although its early, if he keeps it up he will earn a spot on the all-star team.
J.J. Hickson was a solid pickup in free-agency providing the Nuggets with someone who can battle down low for rebounds. He flat out dominated Dallas on Monday; 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist. He is a career 9.8 points per game, 6.9 rebounds a game guy, but he adds so much to the team. He is an undersized center, but can dominate the post.
Kenneth Faried on the other hand has improved offensively and somewhat defensively. He has added a nice hook shot to his arsenal that his been crucial to his early success. He dropped 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Dallas. This season he has averaged 11.1 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Nate Robinson seems to be coming in to his own now, after struggling for most of the season. He scored 17 points Monday night adding 3 assists. He shot 5-for-9 from the field as well as 3-for-6 from deep.
Denver will be in Minnesota Wednesday night taking on the Timberwolves at the Target Center. Tip-off at 7:00.